Helena Joyce
Traffic pollution, also known as traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), is a major source of exposure to air pollutants in urban areas. It is caused by vehicle emissions, including tailpipe emissions such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, as well as non-tailpipe emissions like brake and tire wear. These emissions have been linked to a range of adverse health effects, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological issues, with populations living near major roads and highways being particularly at risk. Congestion also plays a significant role in traffic pollution, as it can lead to increased emissions and more severe air quality issues. Understanding and mitigating traffic pollution is crucial for protecting public health and improving air quality, especially in densely populated urban areas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Health Effects | Asthma exacerbation, ischemic heart disease, lung cancer mortality, asthma onset in children and adults, acute lower respiratory infections in children, and adverse effects on pregnant women |
| Pollutants | Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, ultrafine particles, black carbon, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, diesel exhaust, lead, and more |
| Sources | Tailpipe emissions, non-tailpipe emissions (brake and tire wear), vehicle age, operating and maintenance conditions, exhaust treatment, type and quality of fuel, etc. |
| Impact | Morbidity and mortality risks for drivers, commuters, and individuals living near roadways |
| Congestion Effects | Lower vehicle speeds and congestion can increase pollutant concentrations and emissions, leading to degraded air quality |
| Proximity | Higher levels of pollutants are found in proximity to roads, with an exposure zone of up to 300-500 meters from a highway or major road being highly affected by traffic emissions |
| Health Studies | HEI's 2010 critical review, meta-analyses, epidemiological studies, evaluations of vehicle emission standards, environmental impact assessments, and more |
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What You'll Learn
Health effects of traffic pollution
Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is a major source of exposure to hazardous pollutants in urban areas. It is a mix of vehicle exhausts, secondary pollutants formed in the atmosphere, evaporative emissions from vehicles, and non-combustion emissions (e.g. road dust, tyre wear). TRAP has been linked to a range of adverse health effects in humans.
TRAP has been associated with an increased risk of various cancers, including lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer. Additionally, it has been linked to an elevated risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, as well as other neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease. Research has also found a link between exposure to TRAP and respiratory effects in both children and adults, including asthma onset and acute lower respiratory infections.
The health risks associated with TRAP are particularly prominent for those living or working near major roadways. These individuals are exposed to higher concentrations of pollutants, including ultrafine particles, carbon monoxide, NO2, black carbon, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and metals typically attributed to brake and tyre wear. The Health Effects Institute Panel identified an exposure zone within a range of up to 300-500 meters from a highway or major road as the area most highly affected by traffic emissions.
Various strategies have been implemented to reduce TRAP, including the use of sustainable fuels, after-treatment technologies, and new energy vehicles. While these approaches can reduce the exhaust of particulate matter and certain gases, they do not always successfully mitigate the health impacts of TRAP. The chemicals contained within these emissions can still cause inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity.
Overall, the health effects of TRAP are a significant public health concern, and further research and interventions are necessary to reduce the adverse impacts on human health.
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Pollutants from vehicle emissions
Vehicle emissions have become the dominant source of air pollutants in many areas. These emissions include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and mobile source air toxics such as benzene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene, and lead. The specific pollutants and their concentrations vary depending on factors such as vehicle type, age, operating and maintenance conditions, exhaust treatment, fuel type and quality, wear of parts, and engine lubricants used.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a significant pollutant emitted from vehicles, particularly those with internal combustion engines. It is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas formed by the combustion of fossil fuels like gasoline. When inhaled, CO blocks oxygen from reaching vital organs, posing serious health risks.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is another major pollutant from vehicle emissions, contributing to global climate change. The burning of gasoline and diesel releases large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, where it remains for thousands of years. The higher the level of CO2, the higher the global mean temperature, leading to more severe storms, droughts, and other weather events.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are also prevalent in vehicle emissions, particularly from diesel vehicles, which contribute 60% of NOx emissions in U.S. transportation. NOx causes environmental issues such as acid rain, deteriorated water quality, and soil and surface water acidification. Additionally, NOx reacts with VOCs to form ground-level ozone, a primary component of smog, which irritates the respiratory system.
Particulate matter (PM), including soot and ultrafine particles, is another pollutant from vehicle emissions. These fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and pose serious health risks, especially to young children and asthmatics. Heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks and buses, are a significant source of PM, contributing to global warming emissions and air pollution.
Other pollutants from vehicle emissions include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), sulfur dioxide (SO2), formaldehyde, benzene, and lead. These pollutants contribute to air pollution and pose risks to human health, with adverse effects observed in individuals living near roadways. Congestion also plays a role in increasing emissions, as slower speeds and frequent stops and starts result in higher pollutant concentrations.
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Congestion and health risks
Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is a significant public health concern, with vehicle emissions being the dominant source of air pollutants in many areas. These emissions contribute to the risk of morbidity and mortality for those who live, work or travel near major roads.
The severity and duration of traffic congestion can greatly increase pollutant emissions and degrade air quality. Congestion changes driving patterns, resulting in more speed changes, stops and starts, and high-power accelerations, all of which increase emissions. The health risks from congestion are potentially significant, and additional traffic can increase these risks, depending on the type of road and other factors. The Health Effects Institute (HEI) has identified an exposure zone of up to 300-500m from a major road as an area highly affected by traffic emissions.
Recurring congestion can result in repeated and chronic exposure to pollutants, increasing long-term health risks. Congestion also increases the risk of acute health issues, such as asthma exacerbation. The pollutants emitted by vehicles include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter. These emissions have been linked to adverse health effects, including respiratory and cardiovascular issues, and the onset of asthma in children and adults.
The concentration of pollutants decreases with distance from roads. Ultrafine particles, black carbon, and total particle counts decrease rapidly within the first 100-150m of a road. However, even at these distances, the concentration of pollutants remains elevated, posing health risks to those who live or spend significant time near busy roads.
Studies have shown the substantial health impacts of congestion. For example, the public health cost of mortality attributable to congestion in 83 US cities in 2000 was estimated at $31 billion. Additionally, the congestion charging zone in London, where drivers pay fees to enter, was predicted to gain 183 years of life per 100,000 population in the zone. These studies highlight the potential health benefits of reducing congestion and improving air quality.
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Exposure to pollutants
Exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is a major concern for public health, with a wide range of adverse health effects. A large portion of the global population is exposed to TRAP through daily activities such as commuting, and those living in close proximity to major roadways are at an even greater risk.
TRAP is a complex mixture of vehicle exhausts, secondary pollutants formed in the atmosphere, evaporative emissions, and non-combustion emissions (e.g. road dust, tyre wear). Motor vehicles emit pollutants such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter (PM), and toxic substances like benzene, formaldehyde, and lead. These emissions are influenced by factors such as vehicle type, age, maintenance, exhaust treatment, fuel type, and engine lubricants.
The concentration of pollutants varies with proximity to roads. Ultrafine particles, carbon monoxide, NO2, black carbon, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and some metals are more prevalent near roads. The Health Effects Institute Panel identified an exposure zone of up to 300-500 meters from a highway or major road as the area most affected by traffic emissions.
The health effects of TRAP exposure have been studied extensively. Short-term exposures can impact lung function and enhance responses to allergens in asthmatic adults. Long-term exposure has been associated with adverse health outcomes such as circulatory issues, ischemic heart disease, and lung cancer mortality, asthma onset, and acute lower respiratory infections in children.
Additionally, congestion plays a significant role in TRAP exposure. Lower vehicle speeds and frequent speed changes due to congestion increase pollutant emissions. Recurring congestion can lead to repeated and chronic exposures, increasing long-term health risks.
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Health impacts of traffic pollution in China
Air pollution in China has had substantial impacts on public health and is thought to be responsible for millions of deaths each year. The country has experienced a period of dramatic growth in vehicle populations and traffic activity, making on-road transportation an increasingly important source of ambient air pollution. Vehicle emissions are regarded as a primary contributor to air pollution and related adverse health impacts. Heavy traffic congestion increases traffic flow and thus produces more O3 precursor emissions, leading to more adverse air quality issues.
A study by Liping Liao et al. in 2017 found that short-term increases in pollution due to traffic congestion resulted in a 12% increase in ambulance calls for fever and a 3% increase for heart-related symptoms. Another study by Peng Wang et al. in 2023 investigated the impact of traffic congestion on air quality and health in China in 2020. The results showed that traffic congestion aggravated air pollution and health burdens, especially in urban clusters such as the North China Plain and Sichuan Basin.
The growing vehicle population in China has led to an increase in vehicle emissions, which has negatively impacted air quality and human health. Vehicle emissions have become important sources of air pollution, emitting carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), hydrogen carbon (HC), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Health risk assessments have shown that long-term exposure to PM2.5 and O3 has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths, to which vehicle emissions have contributed significantly.
To mitigate the health impacts of traffic pollution, the Chinese government has implemented comprehensive control measures since the late 1990s. These measures have led to substantial improvements in public health. For example, Hainan province has declared a ban on the sale of fuel-powered cars by 2030 to reduce local air pollution emissions. However, there is a need for more stringent control measures to address the ongoing growth in vehicle ownership and use in China.
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Frequently asked questions
Traffic pollution, or traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), is the exposure to pollutants emitted from cars, trucks, and other vehicles.
Sources of traffic pollution include tailpipe emissions (such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxides), non-tailpipe emissions (such as brake and tire wear), and secondary by-products formed away from roads (such as ozone and secondary aerosols).
Traffic congestion can lead to increased pollution levels due to changes in driving patterns, resulting in more speed variations, stops, and starts. This can cause up to a fourfold increase in certain emissions compared to "cruise" conditions.
Traffic pollution has been associated with a range of adverse health effects, including respiratory, cardiovascular, immunological, reproductive, and neurological issues. Long-term exposure to TRAP has been linked to increased mortality, asthma onset, and acute lower respiratory infections in children.
Living or spending time near major roads or highways increases exposure to traffic pollution. Pollutant levels tend to decrease with distance from roads, but even at 100-150 meters away, ultrafine particles, black carbon, and other pollutants may still be elevated.
