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The University of Houston has conducted a study to assess the impact of vehicle electrification on air quality and public health in major U.S. cities, specifically Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. These cities share dense populations, high traffic volumes, and air quality that does not meet ozone standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Houston, recently ranked as the sixth-worst U.S. city for air pollution, could prevent 157 premature deaths each month by switching to electric vehicles (EVs). The study found varying impacts across different regions. Titled “Air quality and health co-benefits of vehicle electrification and emission controls in the most populated United States urban hubs: insights from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston,” it examined changes in air pollution—specifically PM2.5 and ozone levels—under different electrification scenarios. The findings were published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.
According to the study, New York and Chicago could see even greater benefits than Houston by avoiding 796 and 328 premature deaths per month respectively through vehicle electrification. In Los Angeles, a scenario with a 29% EV share for light-duty vehicles could save 104 lives each month; however, full electrification might increase mortality due to higher PM2.5 and ozone levels.
“Our findings indicate vehicle electrification generally contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and lowering the mortality rate associated with exposure to toxic air pollutants,” said Ali Mousavinezhad, first author of the paper who earned a Ph.D. from UH’s Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences this year.
UH researchers Professor Yunsoo Choi and Ali Mousavinezhad noted that "due to the complex atmospheric chemistry and unique meteorological and geographical conditions of Los Angeles," complete electrification might lead to increased concentrations of secondary aerosols potentially causing adverse impacts on human health by raising mortality rates. This highlights "the need for region-specific environmental regulations."
In full electrification scenarios (FullE), PM2.5 levels dropped by up to 2.29 μg/m³ in many areas but rose by up to 0.67 μg/m³ in parts of eastern Los Angeles due to an increase in secondary organic aerosols caused by changes in nitrogen oxides (NOx) dynamics.
The unique weather patterns around Los Angeles can trap pollutants downwind due to surrounding mountain ranges leading to higher concentrations of pollution.
The study also found significant reductions in NOx levels under FullE scenarios ranging from 14-32 parts per billion (ppb) alongside drops in maximum daily average eight-hour ozone levels between 2-9 ppb. However, some areas experienced increases in MDA8 ozone highlighting complexities within air quality management.
Economically speaking, FullE scenarios promise significant health-related savings ranging from $51 million to $249 million per day for New York City, Chicago & Houston while conversely posing potential economic losses up-to $18 million per day for Los Angeles.
“The four largest U.S cities have distinct anthropogenic sources contributing towards both air pollutants & greenhouse gases," said Yunsoo Choi adding that "each city requires unique regulations or strategies including varied EV adoption scenarios aimed at effectively reducing pollutant concentrations."
Estimating future scenarios related not only involves considering increasing numbers of EVs but also other contributing factors such as industrial activities or biogenic emissions among others making it a complex undertaking overall according both Choi & Ali who remain optimistic about current push towards transportation sector's gradual shift towards greener alternatives like EVs which they believe will help reduce tailpipe emissions thereby positively impacting human health over time if managed thoughtfully taking regional specifics into account appropriately ensuring balanced approach is maintained throughout transition phase moving forward into greener future collectively together globally ultimately benefiting everyone involved equally across board without exception whatsoever eventually resulting cleaner healthier world altogether overall finally conclusively speaking ultimately once again reiterating same point repeatedly emphasizing importance thereof accordingly indeed truly 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