Cars' Impact On Massachusetts' Air Quality

Air pollution in Massachusetts is a pressing issue, causing an estimated 2,780 deaths a year, which is about 5% of the state's total deaths. Cars and other vehicles are the leading contributors to this issue, with motor vehicles, engines, and fuels playing a significant role. The combustion of fossil fuels, particularly from cars, trucks, and other vehicles, is a major source of pollution, and the state's growing population and thriving industries only add to the problem. With nearly 7 million residents and a booming economy, Massachusetts faces a challenge in balancing growth and environmental protection.

Cars, trucks, buses, trains, and planes contribute two-thirds of emissions

Cars, trucks, and buses are a major source of air pollution in Massachusetts. While the state has about 4.6 million registered vehicles, the majority of which are powered by internal combustion engines, it is working towards adopting more electric vehicles.

In the United States, the transportation sector is the largest source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, constituting two-fifths of domestic emissions from burning fossil fuels. Cars, trucks, and buses are a significant contributor to this, with tailpipe emissions accounting for over one-fifth of the country's total global warming pollution.

In Massachusetts, diesel pollution from trucks and buses is concentrated in certain areas, typically around truck routes and goods movement infrastructure such as ports, warehouses, and railyards. The areas within and surrounding Boston, being densely populated and a logistical center, experience high levels of diesel pollution. Other hotspots include Fall River, New Bedford, Brockton, Lawrence, Lowell, Springfield, and Worcester. These areas already face cumulative impacts from other environmental risks and social determinants of health.

On a national level, personal vehicles, including cars and light-duty trucks, were responsible for 58% of emissions in the transportation sector in 2019. Commercial trucks and buses accounted for 25%, while air travel contributed to 17%. Overall, road travel accounts for three-quarters of transport emissions, with cars and buses contributing 45.1% and trucks 29.4%.

While electric vehicles are growing in popularity, the transition to cleaner energy sources for transportation is crucial to reducing air pollution and its associated health risks.

Fossil fuel combustion is the main source of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases

Motor vehicles, engines, and fuels are the leading contributors to air pollution in Massachusetts. Diesel exhaust from trucks and buses is a leading source of harmful air pollution, and the state's vehicles produce over 25% of its greenhouse gas emissions. While hybrid and electric vehicles are becoming more popular, most of the 4.6 million cars, trucks, buses, and SUVs in Massachusetts are powered by internal combustion engines that burn fossil fuels.

Fossil fuel combustion is the main source of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuels consist mainly of carbon and hydrogen. When they are burned, oxygen combines with carbon to form carbon dioxide (CO2) and with hydrogen to form water (H2O). Fossil fuel combustion was responsible for about 74% of total US human-caused greenhouse gas emissions in 2022. Globally, 89% of CO2 emissions in 2018 came from fossil fuels and industry.

The three types of fossil fuels are coal, oil, and gas. Coal is the most polluting, responsible for over 0.3 degrees Celsius of the 1-degree increase in global average temperatures. Oil releases a large amount of carbon when burned, accounting for approximately a third of the world's total carbon emissions. Natural gas is often promoted as a cleaner energy source than coal and oil, but it is still a fossil fuel and accounts for a fifth of the world's total carbon emissions.

The combustion of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the air. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, causing global warming. Fossil fuels are currently used for around 80% of the world's energy, but scientists say a mass switch to renewable energy is needed.

Diesel exhaust contains toxic pollutants and is a Group 1 carcinogen

Motor vehicles, engines, and fuels are leading contributors to air pollution in Massachusetts. The state's 4.6 million cars, trucks, buses, and SUVs are mostly powered by internal combustion engines that burn fossil fuels. This contributes to the state's air pollution, which is responsible for an estimated 2,780 deaths per year.

Diesel exhaust is a major source of harmful air pollution in Massachusetts, with diesel trucks and buses sending residents to the hospital every year. Diesel exhaust contains a cocktail of toxic air pollutants, including NOx, which irritates the heart and lungs and worsens asthma symptoms, especially in children and the elderly. NOx further reacts in the atmosphere to form PM2.5 and ground-level ozone (soot and smog). PM2.5 is responsible for a significant proportion of environmentally caused deaths in the US and has been linked to premature death, increased hospital admissions for heart and lung diseases, bronchitis, and worsening of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The toxic pollutants in diesel exhaust have led the World Health Organization to deem it a Group 1 carcinogen, indicating that it is carcinogenic to humans. This classification is based on experimental findings and evidence of lung cancer in humans. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) upgraded diesel exhaust from Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans) to Group 1 in 2012.

The carcinogenic effects of diesel exhaust have been observed in several studies. For example, a retrospective cohort study examined lung cancer and diesel exhaust exposure in railroad workers. Additionally, long-term, heavy exposure to diesel exhaust has been found to cause lung cancer in lab animals such as rats.

To address diesel pollution, Massachusetts has adopted the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) rule, which requires manufacturers to sell an increasing percentage of electric trucks per year. This is a crucial step towards reducing pollution in the state.

Electric vehicles are cheaper to run and fuel than gas-powered cars

Motor vehicles, engines, and fuels are leading contributors to air pollution in Massachusetts. Cars, trucks, buses, and SUVs are responsible for two-thirds of the state's air pollution, with diesel trucks and buses being a leading source of harmful emissions.

To address this issue, Massachusetts has acknowledged the need for a transition to electric vehicles. While the upfront cost of electric vehicles (EVs) is often higher, they are generally cheaper to run and fuel than gas-powered cars in the long term. This is mainly due to the lower fueling and maintenance costs associated with EVs.

Lower Fueling Costs

EVs are more energy-efficient than gas-powered cars, resulting in lower fueling costs. A 2018 study found that the average cost of fueling an electric car was $485 per year, compared to $1,117 for a gas-powered vehicle. Similarly, a 2020 Consumer Reports study showed that EV drivers spend about 60% less on fuel annually. These savings are further enhanced by the availability of discounted charging rates during off-peak hours and rebates for installing home chargers.

Lower Maintenance Costs

EVs have lower maintenance costs as they do not require oil changes, spark plug replacements, or regular brake pad replacements due to regenerative braking. On average, electric vehicles cost half as much to maintain and repair as gas-powered cars.

Incentives and Tax Credits

Additionally, various incentives and tax credits are available for EV buyers. The Inflation Reduction Act provides incentives for home charger installations, and federal incentives and tax credits of up to $7,500 are offered for eligible EV purchases. Some states have also introduced regulations, such as the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) rule, which requires manufacturers to sell an increasing percentage of electric trucks annually.

While the comparison between EVs and gas-powered cars can be complex, with factors like depreciation and electricity prices affecting the overall cost of ownership, EVs generally offer significant cost savings over the long term.

Cars produce over 40% of the nation's smog-causing pollution

While hybrid and electric vehicles are becoming more popular, most of the 4.6 million cars, trucks, and SUVs registered in Massachusetts are powered by internal combustion engines that burn fossil fuels. This combustion is the primary source of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change. In addition to carbon dioxide, gasoline-powered vehicles emit methane, nitrous oxide, and hydrofluorocarbon from leaking air conditioners.

The impact of air pollution from vehicles on the health of Massachusetts residents is significant. Fine particulate air pollution is linked to multiple non-communicable diseases in adults, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, lung cancer, and diabetes. It is estimated that air pollution causes 2,780 deaths in the state each year, with even more people hospitalized due to respiratory issues and heart and lung diseases.

Children are also particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution, with studies showing a link between exposure to pollution and lower IQs, as well as behavioral problems. Additionally, air pollution has been associated with low birth weights in babies born in Massachusetts.

To address this issue, Massachusetts authorities are urged to work with the US Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen air quality standards for fine particulate pollution. The state is also encouraged to transition to cleaner fuels and incentivize the use of electric vehicles, as electric vehicles are cheaper to fuel and drive than their gasoline-powered counterparts.

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