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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Air quality and automobile emission control. Volume 1. Summary report. Ninety-Third Congress (Senate), Second Session

Book ·
OSTI ID:5988115

In general, the evidence that has accumulated since the promulgation of the Federal ambient air quality standards supports those standards, and no substantial basis was found for changing the standards. The Panel on Nitrogen Dioxide did suggest that consideration be given to establishing an hourly as well as an annual standard for nitrogen dioxide. The Federal ambient air quality standards for carbon monoxide can be met by 1990 even with some relaxation of present emission standards. The Federal emission standard of 0.4 g/mi for nitrogen oxide may be more stringent than needed to achieve the NO/sub 2/ air quality standard. The existing analyses relating NO/sub x/ emissions to subsequent oxidant formation are inadequate. At least in the Los Angeles area, the Federal hydrocarbon emission standard of 0.41 g/mi may not be sufficient to ensure compliance with the national oxidant air quality standard, but present analyses are inadequate to justify changes in the Federal motor vehicle emission standard for HC. All these conclusions assume that emissions from heavy vehicles and stationary sources are reduced in the same proportion as emissions from light vehicles and that relatively modest safety margins are satisfactory. The annual benefits from improving air quality from present levels to levels of Federal ambient air standards for automobile-derived pollutants are estimated at $2.5 to 10 billion. Costs of reaching the emission standards at target dates may range from $8 to 5 billion/y. Policy options could reduce the costs further. The benefits from implementing emission standards are commensurate with expected cost, and several policy options could lower costs below benefit levels. The health effects of CO, NO/sub x/, photochemical oxidants, ozone, particulates, and sulfur oxides; synergism; thresholds; and pollution effects on plants and ecologic systems are discussed in appendices.

OSTI ID:
5988115
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English