Abstract
Air quality is impacting health in many cities in most countries because of particulate pollution, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone. Very small particulates from engine emissions and coal fired electric power plants enter the lungs and pollute the blood of urban residents leading to a burden of disease with more than 3 million premature deaths per year attributed to outdoor air pollution. Welfare losses including premature deaths associated with air pollution were about $5 trillion in 2013. A global transition to electric vehicles, and the generation of electricity without combustion emissions would improve air quality significantly and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This transition is in progress in many parts of the world with more than 2 million electric vehicles in service in 2017. Electric bus and electric taxi sales are increasing, and many large cities have multiple programs to improve air quality. When health costs are considered, it is very appropriate for communities to take action to improve air quality and health. This work reviews and reports many positive actions that are in progress in larger cities.
Highlights
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality are significant global challenges
Very small particulates from engine emissions and coal fired electric power plants enter the lungs and pollute the blood of urban residents leading to a burden of disease with more than 3 million premature deaths per year attributed to outdoor air pollution
This review addresses air quality, the impact of air pollution on health, and community actions to improve air quality and associated health equity [1]-[98]
Summary
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality are significant global challenges. The American Lung Association of California has reported that air pollution attributed to passenger vehicles had an estimated harm of $24 billion for health and $13 billion for climate in 2015 in the states of California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont [38] This group of states is working cooperatively to encourage electric vehicle adoption and reductions in vehicle emissions. Many residents of large cities do not realize that particulates in air have been reported to be the fifth largest overall global risk factor for premature mortality [34] Another purpose of this manuscript is to provide information on the health effects of air pollution. Improvements in air quality can be achieved by implementation of the AQMP to accomplish goals that are important for the community
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