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Pennington AF, Cornwell CR, Sircar KD, Mirabelli MC. Electric vehicles and health: A scoping review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 251:118697. [PMID: 38499224 PMCID: PMC11273362 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The health impacts of the rapid transition to the use of electric vehicles are largely unexplored. We completed a scoping review to assess the state of the evidence on use of battery electric and hybrid electric vehicles and health. METHODS We conducted a literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health, CINAHL, Scopus, and Environmental Science Collection databases for articles published January 1990 to January 2024. We included articles if they presented observed or modeled data on the association between battery electric or hybrid electric cars, trucks, or buses and health-related outcomes. We abstracted data and summarized results. RESULTS Out of 897 reviewed articles, 52 met our inclusion criteria. The majority of included articles examined transitions to the use of electric vehicles (n = 49, 94%), with fewer studies examining hybrid electric vehicles (n = 11, 21%) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (n = 8, 15%). The most common outcomes examined were premature death (n = 41, 79%) and monetized health outcomes such as medical expenditures (n = 33, 63%). We identified only one observational study on the impact of electric vehicles on health; all other studies reported modeled data. Almost every study (n = 51, 98%) reported some evidence of a positive health impact of transitioning to electric or hybrid electric vehicles, although magnitudes of association varied. There was a paucity of information on the environmental justice implications of vehicle transitions. CONCLUSIONS The results of the current literature on electric vehicles and health suggest an overall positive health impact of transitioning to electric vehicles. Additional observational studies would help expand our understanding of the real-world health effects of electric vehicles. Future research focused on the environmental justice implications of vehicle fleet transitions could provide additional information about the extent to which the health benefits occur equitably across populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey F Pennington
- Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Cheryl R Cornwell
- Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kanta Devi Sircar
- Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA; Commissioned Corps, United States Public Health Service, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Maria C Mirabelli
- Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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2
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Garcia E, Johnston J, McConnell R, Palinkas L, Eckel SP. California's early transition to electric vehicles: Observed health and air quality co-benefits. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 867:161761. [PMID: 36739036 PMCID: PMC10465173 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The transition to electric vehicles is projected to have considerable public health co-benefits, but most evidence regarding air quality and health impacts comes from projections rather than real-world data. We evaluated whether population-level respiratory health and air quality co-benefits were already detectable at the relatively low levels of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs: battery electric, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen fuel cell vehicle) adoption in California, and evaluated the ZEV adoption gap in underserved communities. We conducted a zip code-level ecologic study relating changes in annual number of ZEVs (nZEV) per 1000 population from 2013 to 2019 to: (i) annual average monitored nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations and (ii) annual age-adjusted asthma-related emergency department (ED) visit rates, while considering educational attainment. The average nZEV increased from 1.4 per 1000 population in 2013 (standard deviation [SD]: 2.1) to 14.7 per 1000 in 2019 (SD: 14.7). ZEV adoption was considerably slower in zip codes with lower educational attainment (p < 0.0001). A within-zip code increase of 20 ZEVs per 1000 was associated with a - 0.41 ppb change in annual average NO2 (95 % confidence interval [CI]:-1.12, 0.29) in an adjusted model. A within-zip code increase of 20 ZEVs per 1000 population was associated with a 3.2 % decrease in annual age-adjusted rate of asthma-related ED visits (95 % CI:-5.4, -0.9). Findings were supported by a variety of sensitivity analyses. Observational data on the early phase ZEV transition in California provided a natural experiment, enabling us to document the first real-world associations between increasing nZEV and changes in air quality and health. Results suggest co-benefits of the early-phase transition to ZEVs but with an adoption gap among populations with lower socioeconomic status which threatens the equitable distribution of possible co-benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Garcia
- University of Southern California, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Los Angeles, California, United States.
| | - Jill Johnston
- University of Southern California, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Rob McConnell
- University of Southern California, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Lawrence Palinkas
- University of Southern California, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Los Angeles, California, United States; University of Southern California, Suzanne Dworak Peck School of Social Work, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Sandrah P Eckel
- University of Southern California, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Los Angeles, California, United States
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Flanagan E, Malmqvist E, Gustafsson S, Oudin A. Estimated public health benefits of a low-emission zone in Malmö, Sweden. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 214:114124. [PMID: 35998694 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Low-emission zones (LEZ) have been increasingly implemented in cities throughout Europe as a measure to reduce the adverse health effects and premature deaths associated with traffic-related air pollution. In the present study, a health impact analysis was conducted to estimate the effect of a hypothetical LEZ on mortality and morbidity in Malmö, Sweden. Baseline health statistics were gathered from health registers and applied to each resident according to individual-level data on age and/or sex. Concentration-response parameters were derived from current epidemiological literature, specifically meta-analyses. A Gaussian dispersion model (AERMOD) combined with a detailed emission database was used to calculate NO2 emissions from traffic, which could be applied on an individual-level using data on each person's residential coordinates. The adjusted exposure scenario replaced all vehicles on municipal roads having Euro 5 or lower emission standards with Euro 6 equivalents. This LEZ would, on average, decrease NO2 concentrations by 13.4%, preventing an estimated 9-26 deaths in Malmö each year. Additionally, 12 respiratory disease hospitalizations, 8 childhood asthma cases, and 9 cases of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were estimated to be avoided annually. These results suggest that LEZs can effectively improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and safeguard public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Flanagan
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 22242, Lund, Skåne, Sweden.
| | - Ebba Malmqvist
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 22242, Lund, Skåne, Sweden.
| | - Susanna Gustafsson
- Environmental Department of the City of Malmö, 21154, Malmö, Skåne, Sweden.
| | - Anna Oudin
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 22242, Lund, Skåne, Sweden; Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Västerbotten, Sweden.
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Yu H, Peng Y, Pu L. Study on the Impact of Government Health Expenditure Equity on Residents' Health Level in the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle of China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12758. [PMID: 36232058 PMCID: PMC9566478 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND When the global COVID-19 epidemic continues to spread, residents pay more attention to their health. This paper studies the relationship between the equity of government health expenditure and the health level of residents. METHODS The Theil index and a principal component analysis were used to measure the equity of government health expenditure and the health level of residents in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle. Then, an empirical study on the relationship between the equity of government health expenditure and the health level of residents in this region was conducted with the System GMM model. RESULTS 1. The Theil index rose from 0.0115 in 2015 to 0.0231 in 2017 and gradually decreased to 0.0106 in 2020. 2. The overall health level of residents showed an upward trend, rising from 1.95 in 2015 to 2.33 in 2017, then remained high and fluctuated slightly. 3. There was a positive correlation between the Theil index and the health level of residents at a significance level of 1% (β = 0.903, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS 1. The Theil index was close to 0, indicating that the equity of government health expenditure in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle was generally good. 2. The health level of residents in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle had improved compared to before. 3. The fairer the government's health expenditure, the higher the residents' health level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haidong Yu
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Research Center for Public Health Security, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yujie Peng
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Research Center for Public Health Security, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Lanfang Pu
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Research Center for Public Health Security, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
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Demetriou E, Hadjistassou C. Lowering mortality risks in urban areas by containing atmospheric pollution. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 211:113096. [PMID: 35276194 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although studies collectively examining the traffic and residential heat pollutant emissions are abundant, research investigations dedicated to Cyprus are scarce. This investigation has simulated the levels of air pollutants, namely, CO, NOx, PM2.5, and PM10 and reconciled them with actual air quality measurements in Nicosia, Cyprus, during a 9-month period at an hourly resolution. To this end, several scenarios and cases were formulated to tackle emissions and minimise human mortality risks in the city. METHODS The GRAL dispersion model was used to project pollution levels. Nine different traffic scenarios were devised to estimate variations in concentration of PM2.5 and NOx under various policies, such as banning diesel passenger vehicles (PV), light duty vehicles (LDV), non-Euro 6 standards vehicles, stringent speed limits and a ubiquitous roll-out of electric passenger vehicles. Moreover, 4 distinct cases were analysed to year 2030 considering a fluctuation in traffic of ±20% whereas all vehicles conform to Euro 6 standards. Three additional policies examined the prohibition of diesel PV and LDV, 80% electric PV and outlawing fireplaces. Drawing on the findings of these scenarios and cases, the total cardiovascular and respiratory mortality rates at the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia, were deduced. RESULTS The most promising scenario in terms of curbing emissions was to ban non-Euro 6 vehicles and diesel PV and LDV which could contain average NOx concentration, in Nicosia, from 52.9 μg/m3 to 15.0 μg/m3. If this policy were to be implemented, it could have saved 70% of the premature deaths tied to NOx emissions. For particulate matter, banning fireplaces and abandoning non-Euro 6 vehicles could lower average concentrations from 18.3 μg/m3 to 13.1 μg/m3, saving at least 30% of the people poised to lose their lives from particulate matter risks. CONCLUSION Traffic and residential heat policies are not easy to implement. However, our study has demonstrated that the most effective policies for curbing NOx emissions would be to ensure that all vehicles abide with the Euro 6 standards and, concurrently, ban diesel passenger and light duty vehicles. Lastly, phasing out domestic fireplaces appears to be the most promising solution for containing particulate matter, in 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Demetriou
- University of Nicosia, Marine and Carbon Lab, Department of Engineering, 46 Makedonitissas Ave., Engomi, 1700, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - C Hadjistassou
- University of Nicosia, Marine and Carbon Lab, Department of Engineering, 46 Makedonitissas Ave., Engomi, 1700, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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Vehicular Traffic in Urban Areas: Health Burden and Influence of Sustainable Urban Planning and Mobility. ATMOSPHERE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos13040598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Vehicular traffic is one of the major sources of air pollution in European cities. This work aims to understand which characteristics of the urban environment could influence mobility-related air pollution, quantify the health impacts of exposure to traffic-derived PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations, and assess the potential health benefits expected from traffic interventions. The health benefits modeled are intended to provide a set of comparable data to support decision-makers and encourage informed decision-making to design healthier cities. Targeting a large geographical coverage, 12 European cities from 9 countries were comparatively assessed in terms of mean daily traffic volume/area, the number of public transport stops/area, and the percentage of green and outdoor leisure areas, among other urban indicators. This was implemented using an open-source data mining tool, which was seen as a useful engine to identify potential strategies to improve air quality. The comparison of urban indicators in the selected cities evidenced two trends: (a) cities with the most heterogeneous distribution of public transport stops, as an indicator of poor accessibility, are also those with the lowest proportion of km dedicated to cycleways and footways, highlighting the need in these cities for more sustainable mobility management; and (b) the percentage of green and outdoor leisure areas may influence the share of journeys by bicycle, pointing out that promoting the perception of green routes is relevant to enhance the potential of active transport modes. Socioeconomic factors can be key determinants of the urban indicators and would need further consideration. For the health impact assessment (HIA), two baseline scenarios were evaluated and compared. One is based on mean annual traffic contributions to PM2.5 concentrations in each target city (ranging between 1.9 and 13 µg/m3), obtained from the literature, and the second is grounded on mean annual NO2 concentrations at all available traffic and urban background stations within each city (17.2–83.5 µg/m3), obtained from the European Environment Agency database. The intervention scenarios modeled were designed based on traffic mitigation strategies in the literature, and set to ranges of 6–50% in traffic-derived PM2.5 concentrations and of 4–12.5% in NO2 concentrations. These scenarios could result in only a 1.7% (0.6–4%) reduction in premature mortality due to exposure to traffic-derived PM2.5, and 1.0% (0.4–2%) due to exposure to NO2, as the mean for all the cities. This suggests that more ambitious pollution abatement strategies should be targeted.
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7
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Rapid health impact assessment of a Danish policy document: One Denmark without Parallel Societies: No Ghettos in 2030. J Public Health (Oxf) 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10389-020-01375-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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8
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Veber T, Tamm T, Ründva M, Kriit HK, Pyko A, Orru H. Health impact assessment of transportation noise in two Estonian cities. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:112319. [PMID: 34740439 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Transportation noise is a growing public health concern worldwide, especially in urban areas, causing annoyance, sleep disturbance, cardiovascular diseases and other health effects. Recently, European Commission (EC) has developed a mutual methodology for assessing health impacts of transportation noise in European Union using strategic noise mapping. Applying this methodology, our aim was to quantify the health effects of road, rail and aircraft noise in two Estonian cities, Tallinn and Tartu. We also aimed to assess sensitivity of this methodology, while implementing lower threshold values and employing additional health outcomes. The proportion of highly annoyed residents due to road traffic noise was 11.6% in Tallinn, and 9.2% in Tartu; around 2.5% residents in both cities could have high sleeping disturbances. As exposure to railway and aircraft noise was relatively low in both cities, people with high annoyance and high sleep disturbance caused by railway and aircraft noise was below 1%. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) cases attributable to road traffic noise was estimated to be 122.6 in Tallinn and 21.5 in Tartu. Altogether transportation noise was estimated to cause 1807 disability adjusted life years (DALYs) in Tallinn and 370 DALYs in Tartu. The health costs were calculated as €126.5 and €25.9 million annually, respectively in the two cities. When we included higher number of health outcomes (stroke incidence, IHD deaths) and lowered exposure threshold by 5 dB, the annual burden of disease was doubled. As the latest epidemiological studies showed transportation noise having larger number of effects on lower noise levels, the results with the currently applied European Commission health impact assessment (HIA) methodology were rather conservative. Despite of uncertainties associated to applied methodology, transportation noise, especially road traffic noise, is an important environmental risk factor, that leads to considerable loss of healthy life years and causes large health costs in urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Triin Veber
- Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Tanel Tamm
- Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Hedi Katre Kriit
- Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umea University, Umea, Sweden
| | - Anderi Pyko
- Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hans Orru
- Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia; Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umea University, Umea, Sweden
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Diallo T, Delpla I, Keeling M, Bellefleur O. L’évaluation d’impact sur la santé, un outil pour promouvoir des politiques climatiques favorables à la santé. SANTE PUBLIQUE 2021; Vol. 33:71-76. [PMID: 34372644 DOI: 10.3917/spub.211.0071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Potential impacts of climate change on health are increasingly studied due to the diversity of the associated risks (heatwaves, air pollution, water- and vector-borne diseases). Consequently, adaptation and mitigation strategies, including tools, have been developed by different cities, states, and organizations to assess the effects of climate change on health. OBJECTIVE Health impact assessment (HIA) is a tool that could be used to assess the potential health impacts of climate change policies before their implementation. The objective of this study is therefore to analyze the way HIA is used in the development of these policies. METHOD A scoping review of grey and scientific literature in French and English (period: 1990-2019) allowed us to identify 35 articles and reports, with 6 using HIA specifically. The areas of HIA application related to transport, urban planning or the building sector. The main health issues addressed in these HIAs concerned air, noise, physical activity, urban heat islands, green spaces, and functional diversity. RESULTS These studies have shown that HIA is an approach that can facilitate cross-sectoral collaboration, and its flexibility allows for its application to adaptation and mitigation policies, as well as at several spatial scales (cities, regions). DISCUSSION The principal limitation in this approach relates to uncertainties associated with quantifying projected impacts.
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10
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Assessment of battery utilization and energy consumption in the large-scale development of urban electric vehicles. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2017318118. [PMID: 33875590 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2017318118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrifying transportation in the form of the large-scale development of electric vehicles (EVs) plays a pivotal role in reducing urban atmospheric pollution and alleviating fossil fuel dependence. However, the rising scale of EV deployment is exposing problems that were previously hidden in small-scale EV applications, and the lack of large-scale EV operating data deters relevant explorations. Here, we report several issues related to the battery utilization and energy consumption of urban-scale EVs by connecting three unique datasets of real-world operating states of over 3 million Chinese EVs, operational data, and vehicle feature data. Meanwhile, by incorporating climatic data and EV data outside China, we extend our models to several metropolitan areas worldwide. We find that blindly increasing the battery energy of urban EVs could be detrimental to sustainable development. The impact of changes in the energy consumption of EVs would be exacerbated in large-scale EV utilization, especially during seasonal shifts. For instance, even with a constant monthly driving demand, the average energy consumption of Beijing light-duty EVs would change by up to 21% during winter-spring shifts. Our results may also prove useful for research on battery resources, urban power supply, environmental impacts, and policymaking.
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11
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Delpla I, Diallo TA, Keeling M, Bellefleur O. Tools and Methods to Include Health in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies and Policies: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:2547. [PMID: 33806462 PMCID: PMC7967510 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Climate change represents a serious threat to the health and well-being of populations. Today, many countries, regions, and cities around the world are implementing policies and strategies to adapt to climate change and mitigate its effects. A scoping review was performed to identify tools and methods that help integrate health into climate change adaptation and mitigation policies and strategies. The literature search includes scientific and grey literature. The scientific literature was conducted using PubMed, Elsevier Embase, and Web of Science databases. A grey literature web search was performed to complement the results. A total of 35 studies (28 from the scientific literature and 7 from the grey literature) were finally included. A large majority of research articles (24/28) and almost all reports (6/7) from the grey literature were published after 2010. Results show that the tools that were found most frequently are the nested models (12/35), health impact assessment (6/35), vulnerability and adaptation assessment (3/35), conceptual frameworks (3/35), and mixed methods (3/35). This review shows an increasing interest in the topic of developing tools to better manage health issues in adaptation and mitigation strategies, with a recent increase in the number of publications. Additional analyses of tools' effectiveness should be conducted in further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ianis Delpla
- École Supérieure D’aménagement du Territoire et de Développement Régional (ESAD), Université Laval, Pavillon F-A. Savard, 2325, rue des Bibliothèques, local 1612, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Thierno Amadou Diallo
- National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy, Montréal, QC H2P 1E2, Canada; (T.A.D.); (M.K.); (O.B.)
| | - Michael Keeling
- National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy, Montréal, QC H2P 1E2, Canada; (T.A.D.); (M.K.); (O.B.)
| | - Olivier Bellefleur
- National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy, Montréal, QC H2P 1E2, Canada; (T.A.D.); (M.K.); (O.B.)
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12
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Rossi IA, Vienneau D, Ragettli MS, Flückiger B, Röösli M. Estimating the health benefits associated with a speed limit reduction to thirty kilometres per hour: A health impact assessment of noise and road traffic crashes for the Swiss city of Lausanne. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 145:106126. [PMID: 32971416 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Reductions of speed limits for road traffic are effective in reducing casualties, and are also increasingly promoted as an effective way to reduce noise exposure. The aim of this study was to estimate the health benefits of the implementation of 30 km/h speed limits in the city of Lausanne (136'077 inhabitants) under different scenarios addressing exposure to noise and road crashes. The study followed a standard methodology for quantitative health impact assessments to derive the number of attributable cases in relation to relevant outcomes. We compared a reference scenario (without any 30 km/h speed limits) to the current situation with partial speed limits and additional scenarios with further implementation of 30 km/h speed limits, including a whole city scenario. Compared to the reference scenario, noise reduction due to the current speed limit situation was estimated to annually prevent 1 cardiovascular death, 72 hospital admissions from cardiovascular disease, 17 incident diabetes cases, 1'127 individuals being highly annoyed and 918 individuals reporting sleep disturbances from noise. Health benefits from a reduction in road traffic crashes were less pronounced (1 severe injury and 4 minor injuries). The whole city speed reduction scenario more than doubled the annual benefits, and was the only scenario that contributed to a reduction in mortality from road traffic crashes (one death per two years). Implementing 30 km/h speed limits in a city yields health benefits due to reduction in road traffic crashes and noise exposure. We found that the benefit from noise reduction was more relevant than safety benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle A Rossi
- Département de la santé et de l'action sociale, Etat de Vaud, av. des Casernes 12, CH-1014 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Danielle Vienneau
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Martina S Ragettli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Benjamin Flückiger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland.
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Gai Y, Minet L, Posen ID, Smargiassi A, Tétreault LF, Hatzopoulou M. Health and climate benefits of Electric Vehicle Deployment in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:114983. [PMID: 32590240 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study presents the results of an integrated model developed to evaluate the environmental and health impacts of Electric Vehicle (EV) deployment in a large metropolitan area. The model combines a high-resolution chemical transport model with an emission inventory established with detailed transportation and power plant information, as well as a framework to characterize and monetize the health impacts. Our study is set in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) in Canada with bounding scenarios for 25% and 100% EV penetration rates. Our results indicate that even with the worst-case assumptions for EV electricity supply (100% natural gas), vehicle electrification can deliver substantial health benefits in the GTHA, equivalent to reductions of about 50 and 260 premature deaths per year for 25% and 100% EV penetration, compared to the base case scenario. If EVs are charged with renewable energy sources only, then electrifying all passenger vehicles can prevent 330 premature deaths per year, which is equivalent to $3.8 Billion (2016$CAD) in social benefits. When the benefit of EV deployment is normalized per vehicle, it is higher than most incentives provided by the government, indicating that EV incentives can generate high social benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Gai
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1A4, Canada
| | - Laura Minet
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1A4, Canada
| | - I Daniel Posen
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1A4, Canada
| | - Audrey Smargiassi
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Louis-François Tétreault
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Marianne Hatzopoulou
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1A4, Canada.
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Sohrabi S, Khreis H. Burden of disease from transportation noise and motor vehicle crashes: Analysis of data from Houston, Texas. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 136:105520. [PMID: 32044176 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transportation systems have an essential role in satisfying individuals' needs for mobility and accessibility. Yet, they have been linked to several adverse health impacts, with a large, but modifiable, burden of disease. Among the several transportation-related health risk factors, this study focused on transportation-related noise as an emerging exposure whose burden of disease remains partially recognized. We compared premature deaths potentially attributable to transportation-related noise with deaths from motor vehicle crashes, a well-researched and widely recognized transportation risk factor. METHOD We employed a standard burden of disease assessment framework to quantify premature cardiovascular diseases mortality attributable to transportation-related (road and aviation) noise at the census tract level (n = 592) in Houston, Texas. The results were compared to motor vehicle crash fatalities, which are routinely observed and collected in the study area. We also investigated the distribution of premature deaths across the city and explored the relationship between household median income and premature deaths attributable to transportation-related noise. RESULTS We estimated 302 (95% CI: 185-427) premature deaths (adults 30-75 years old) attributable to transportation-related noise in Houston, compared to 330 fatalities from motor vehicle crashes (adults younger than 75 years old). Transportation-related noise and motor vehicle crashes were responsible for 1.7% and 1.9% of all-cause premature deaths in Houston, respectively. Households with lower median income had a higher risk of adverse exposure and premature deaths potentially attributable to transportation-related noise. A larger number of premature deaths was associated with living in the central business district and the vicinity of highways and airports. CONCLUSION This study highlighted the significant contribution of transportation-related noise and motor vehicle crashes to premature deaths in the city of Houston. The analogy between the estimated premature deaths attributable to transportation-related noise and motor vehicle crashes showed that the health impacts of transportation-related noise were as significant as motor vehicle crashes. The estimated premature death rate attributable to transportation-related noise was also comparable to the death rate caused by suicide, influenza, or pneumonia in the US. There is an urgent need for imposing policies to reduce transportation noise emissions and human exposures and to equip health impact assessment tools with a noise burden of disease analysis function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheil Sohrabi
- Center for Advancing Research in Transportation, Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH), Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), TX, USA; Zachery Department of Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, TX, USA
| | - Haneen Khreis
- Center for Advancing Research in Transportation, Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH), Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), TX, USA; ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Publica (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
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15
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Malmqvist E, Lisberg Jensen E, Westerberg K, Stroh E, Rittner R, Gustafsson S, Spanne M, Nilsson H, Oudin A. Estimated health benefits of exhaust free transport in the city of Malmö, Southern Sweden. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 118:78-85. [PMID: 29807292 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.05.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution is responsible for one in eight premature deaths worldwide, and thereby a major threat to human health. Health impact assessments of hypothetic changes in air pollution concentrations can be used as a mean of assessing the health impacts of policy, plans and projects, and support decision-makers in choices to prevent disease. The aim of this study was to estimate health impacts attributable to a hypothetical decrease in air pollution concentrations in the city of Malmö in Southern Sweden corresponding to a policy on-road transportations without tail-pipe emissions in the municipality. We used air pollution data modelled for each of the 326,092 inhabitants in Malmö by a Gaussian dispersion model combined with an emission database with >40,000 sources. The dispersion model calculates Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) (later transformed into Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)) and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μg/m3 (PM2.5) with high spatial and temporal resolution (85 m and 1 h, respectively). The average individual reduction was 5.1 (ranging from 0.6 to 11.8) μg/m3 in NO2, which would prevent 55 (2% of all deaths) to 93 (4%) deaths annually, depending on dose-response function used. Furthermore, we estimate that the NO2 reduction would result in 21 (6%) fewer cases of incident asthma in children, 95 (10%) fewer children with bronchitis every year, 30 (1%) fewer hospital admissions for respiratory disease, 87(4%) fewer dementia cases, and 11(11%) fewer cases of preeclampsia every year. The average reduction in PM2.5 of 0.6 (ranging from 0.1 till 1.7) μg/m3 would mean that 2729 (0.3%) work days would not be lost due to sick-days and that there would be 16,472 fewer restricted activity days (0.3%) that year had all on-road transportations been without tail-pipe emissions. Even though the estimates are sensitive to the dose-response functions used and to exposure misclassification errors, even the most conservative estimate of the number of prevented deaths is 7 times larger than the annual traffic fatalities in Malmö, indicating a substantial possibility to reduce the health burden attributed to tail-pipe emissions in the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebba Malmqvist
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department for Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Sweden
| | | | | | - Emilie Stroh
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department for Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Sweden
| | - Ralf Rittner
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department for Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Sweden
| | | | - Mårten Spanne
- Environmental Department of the City of Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Anna Oudin
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department for Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Sweden; Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dept. Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Sweden.
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16
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Sarigiannis DA, Handakas EJ, Kermenidou M, Zarkadas I, Gotti A, Charisiadis P, Makris K, Manousakas M, Eleftheriadis K, Karakitsios SP. Monitoring of air pollution levels related to Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 609:1451-1463. [PMID: 28800688 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.06.230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Charilaos Trikoupis bridge is the longest cable bridge in Europe that connects Western Greece with the rest of the country. In this study, six air pollution monitoring campaigns (including major regulated air pollutants) were carried out from 2013 to 2015 at both sides of the bridge, located in the urban areas of Rio and Antirrio respectively. Pollution data were statistically analyzed and air quality was characterized using US and European air quality indices. From the overall campaign, it was found that air pollution levels were below the respective regulatory thresholds, but once at the site of Antirrio (26.4 and 52.2μg/m3 for PM2.5 and ΡΜ10, respectively) during the 2nd winter period. Daily average PM10 and PM2.5 levels from two monitoring sites were well correlated to gaseous pollutant (CO, NO, NO2, NOx and SO2) levels, meteorological parameters and factor scores from Positive Matrix Factorization during the 3-year period. Moreover, the elemental composition of PM10 and PM2.5 was used for source apportionment. That analysis revealed that major emission sources were sulfates, mineral dust, biomass burning, sea salt, traffic and shipping emissions for PM10 and PM2.5, for both Rio and Antirrio. Seasonal variation indicates that sulfates, mineral dust and traffic emissions increased during the warm season of the year, while biomass burning become the dominant during the cold season. Overall, the contribution of the Charilaos Trikoupis bridge to the vicinity air pollution is very low. This is the result of the relatively low daily traffic volume (~10,000 vehicles per day), the respective traffic fleet composition (~81% of the traffic fleet are private vehicles) and the speed limit (80km/h) which does not favor traffic emissions. In addition, the strong and frequent winds further contribute to the rapid dispersion of the emitted pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Sarigiannis
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering Laboratory, University Campus, Thessaloniki 54,124, Greece; School for Advanced Study (IUSS), Piazzale della Vittoria 15, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - E J Handakas
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering Laboratory, University Campus, Thessaloniki 54,124, Greece
| | - M Kermenidou
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering Laboratory, University Campus, Thessaloniki 54,124, Greece
| | - I Zarkadas
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering Laboratory, University Campus, Thessaloniki 54,124, Greece
| | - A Gotti
- School for Advanced Study (IUSS), Piazzale della Vittoria 15, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - P Charisiadis
- Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health in Association with Harvard School of Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - K Makris
- Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health in Association with Harvard School of Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - M Manousakas
- E.R.L., Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Sciences and Technology, Energy and Safety, N.C.S.R. Demokritos, Ag. Paraskevi, Attiki, Greece
| | - K Eleftheriadis
- E.R.L., Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Sciences and Technology, Energy and Safety, N.C.S.R. Demokritos, Ag. Paraskevi, Attiki, Greece
| | - S P Karakitsios
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering Laboratory, University Campus, Thessaloniki 54,124, Greece; School for Advanced Study (IUSS), Piazzale della Vittoria 15, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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17
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Sarigiannis DA, Kontoroupis P, Nikolaki S, Gotti A, Chapizanis D, Karakitsios S. Benefits on public health from transport-related greenhouse gas mitigation policies in Southeastern European cities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 579:1427-1438. [PMID: 27919555 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.11.142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Revised: 11/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/20/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is a major environmental threat of our time. Cities have a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions as most of the traffic, industry, commerce and more than 50% of world population is situated in urban areas. Southern Europe is a region that faces financial turmoil, enhanced migratory fluxes and climate change pressure. The case study of Thessaloniki is presented, one of the only two cities in Greece with established climate change action plans. The effects of feasible traffic policies in year 2020 are assessed and their potential health impact is compared to a business as usual scenario. Two types of measures are investigated: operation of underground rail in the city centre and changes in fleet composition. Potential co-benefits from reduced greenhouse gas emissions on public health by the year 2020 are computed utilizing state-of-the-art concentration response functions for PMx, NO2 and C6H6. Results show significant environmental health and monetary co-benefits when the city metro is coupled with appropriate changes in the traffic composition. Monetary savings due to avoided mortality or leukaemia incidence corresponding to the reduction in PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and C6H6 exposure will be 56.6, 45, 37.7 and 1.0 million Euros respectively. Promotion of 'green' transportation in the city (i.e. the wide use of electric vehicles), will provide monetary savings from the reduction in PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and C6H6 exposure up to 60.4, 49.1, 41.2 and 1.08 million Euros. Overall, it was shown that the respective GHG emission reduction policies resulted in clear co-benefits in terms of air quality improvement, public health protection and monetary loss mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Sarigiannis
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; Chemical Process Engineering Research Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thermi, Thessaloniki, GR-57001, Greece; Institute for Advanced Study (IUSS), Piazza della Vittoria 15, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - P Kontoroupis
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; Chemical Process Engineering Research Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thermi, Thessaloniki, GR-57001, Greece
| | - S Nikolaki
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; Chemical Process Engineering Research Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thermi, Thessaloniki, GR-57001, Greece
| | - A Gotti
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; Institute for Advanced Study (IUSS), Piazza della Vittoria 15, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - D Chapizanis
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - S Karakitsios
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; Institute for Advanced Study (IUSS), Piazza della Vittoria 15, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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18
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Yu H, Stuart AL. Impacts of compact growth and electric vehicles on future air quality and urban exposures may be mixed. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 576:148-158. [PMID: 27783933 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.10.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
'Smart' growth and electric vehicles are potential solutions to the negative impacts of worldwide urbanization on air pollution and health. However, the effects of planning strategies on distinct types of pollutants, and on human exposures, remain understudied. The goal of this work was to investigate the potential impacts of alternative urban designs for the area around Tampa, Florida USA, on emissions, ambient concentrations, and exposures to oxides of nitrogen (NOx), 1,3-butadiene, and benzene. We studied three potential future scenarios: sprawling growth, compact growth, and 100% vehicle fleet electrification with compact growth. We projected emissions in the seven-county region to 2050 based on One Bay regional visioning plan data. We estimated pollutant concentrations in the county that contains Tampa using the CALPUFF dispersion model. We applied residential population projections to forecast acute (highest hour) and chronic (annual average) exposure. The compact scenario was projected to result in lower regional emissions of all pollutants than sprawl, with differences of -18%, -3%, and -14% for NOx, butadiene, and benzene, respectively. Within Hillsborough County, the compact form also had lower emissions, concentrations, and exposures than sprawl for NOx (-16%/-5% for acute/chronic exposures, respectively), but higher exposures for butadiene (+41%/+30%) and benzene (+21%/+9%). The addition of complete vehicle fleet electrification to the compact scenario mitigated these in-county increases for the latter pollutants, lowering predicted exposures to butadiene (-25%/-39%) and benzene (-5%/-19%), but also resulted in higher exposures to NOx (+81%/+30%) due to increased demand on power plants. These results suggest that compact forms may have mixed impacts on exposures and health. 'Smart' urban designs should consider multiple pollutants and the diverse mix of pollutant sources. Cleaner power generation will also likely be needed to support aggressive adoption of electric vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haofei Yu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
| | - Amy L Stuart
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
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19
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Sabel CE, Hiscock R, Asikainen A, Bi J, Depledge M, van den Elshout S, Friedrich R, Huang G, Hurley F, Jantunen M, Karakitsios SP, Keuken M, Kingham S, Kontoroupis P, Kuenzli N, Liu M, Martuzzi M, Morton K, Mudu P, Niittynen M, Perez L, Sarigiannis D, Stahl-Timmins W, Tobollik M, Tuomisto J, Willers S. Public health impacts of city policies to reduce climate change: findings from the URGENCHE EU-China project. Environ Health 2016; 15 Suppl 1:25. [PMID: 26960925 PMCID: PMC4895602 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-016-0097-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Climate change is a global threat to health and wellbeing. Here we provide findings of an international research project investigating the health and wellbeing impacts of policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in urban environments. METHODS Five European and two Chinese city authorities and partner academic organisations formed the project consortium. The methodology involved modelling the impact of adopted urban climate-change mitigation transport, buildings and energy policy scenarios, usually for the year 2020 and comparing them with business as usual (BAU) scenarios (where policies had not been adopted). Carbon dioxide emissions, health impacting exposures (air pollution, noise and physical activity), health (cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer and leukaemia) and wellbeing (including noise related wellbeing, overall wellbeing, economic wellbeing and inequalities) were modelled. The scenarios were developed from corresponding known levels in 2010 and pre-existing exposure response functions. Additionally there were literature reviews, three longitudinal observational studies and two cross sectional surveys. RESULTS There are four key findings. Firstly introduction of electric cars may confer some small health benefits but it would be unwise for a city to invest in electric vehicles unless their power generation fuel mix generates fewer emissions than petrol and diesel. Second, adopting policies to reduce private car use may have benefits for carbon dioxide reduction and positive health impacts through reduced noise and increased physical activity. Third, the benefits of carbon dioxide reduction from increasing housing efficiency are likely to be minor and co-benefits for health and wellbeing are dependent on good air exchange. Fourthly, although heating dwellings by in-home biomass burning may reduce carbon dioxide emissions, consequences for health and wellbeing were negative with the technology in use in the cities studied. CONCLUSIONS The climate-change reduction policies reduced CO2 emissions (the most common greenhouse gas) from cities but impact on global emissions of CO2 would be more limited due to some displacement of emissions. The health and wellbeing impacts varied and were often limited reflecting existing relatively high quality of life and environmental standards in most of the participating cities; the greatest potential for future health benefit occurs in less developed or developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clive E Sabel
- School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1SS, UK.
| | - Rosemary Hiscock
- School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1SS, UK
| | - Arja Asikainen
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, FI-70701, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jun Bi
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Mike Depledge
- European Centre for Environment and Human health, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Sef van den Elshout
- Air Quality Department, DCMR Environmental Protection Agency Rijnmond, Schiedam, The Netherlands
| | - Rainer Friedrich
- Institute of Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy (IER), University of Stuttgart, 70565, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Ganlin Huang
- Institute of Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy (IER), University of Stuttgart, 70565, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Fintan Hurley
- IOM (Institute of Occupational Medicine), Riccarton, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Matti Jantunen
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, 70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Spyros P Karakitsios
- Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute, 57001, Thermi, Greece
| | - Menno Keuken
- Netherlands Organization for Applied Research (TNO), 3584 CB, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Simon Kingham
- Department of Geography, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Periklis Kontoroupis
- Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute, 57001, Thermi, Greece
| | - Nino Kuenzli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Miaomiao Liu
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Marco Martuzzi
- European Centre for Environment and Health, WHO Regional Office for Europe, 53113, Bonn, Germany
| | - Katie Morton
- School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1SS, UK
| | - Pierpaolo Mudu
- European Centre for Environment and Health, WHO Regional Office for Europe, 53113, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marjo Niittynen
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, FI-70701, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Laura Perez
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Denis Sarigiannis
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece
| | | | - Myriam Tobollik
- School of Public Health, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jouni Tuomisto
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, FI-70701, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Saskia Willers
- Air Quality Department, DCMR Environmental Protection Agency Rijnmond, Schiedam, The Netherlands
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Braubach M, Tobollik M, Mudu P, Hiscock R, Chapizanis D, Sarigiannis DA, Keuken M, Perez L, Martuzzi M. Development of a quantitative methodology to assess the impacts of urban transport interventions and related noise on well-being. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:5792-814. [PMID: 26016437 PMCID: PMC4483672 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120605792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Revised: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Well-being impact assessments of urban interventions are a difficult challenge, as there is no agreed methodology and scarce evidence on the relationship between environmental conditions and well-being. The European Union (EU) project “Urban Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in China and Europe” (URGENCHE) explored a methodological approach to assess traffic noise-related well-being impacts of transport interventions in three European cities (Basel, Rotterdam and Thessaloniki) linking modeled traffic noise reduction effects with survey data indicating noise-well-being associations. Local noise models showed a reduction of high traffic noise levels in all cities as a result of different urban interventions. Survey data indicated that perception of high noise levels was associated with lower probability of well-being. Connecting the local noise exposure profiles with the noise-well-being associations suggests that the urban transport interventions may have a marginal but positive effect on population well-being. This paper also provides insight into the methodological challenges of well-being assessments and highlights the range of limitations arising from the current lack of reliable evidence on environmental conditions and well-being. Due to these limitations, the results should be interpreted with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Braubach
- European Centre for Environment and Health, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Myriam Tobollik
- Federal Environment Agency, Section II 1.6 Exposure Assessment and Environmental Health Indicators, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Pierpaolo Mudu
- European Centre for Environment and Health, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Rosemary Hiscock
- School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Road, Bristol BS8 1SS, UK.
| | - Dimitris Chapizanis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Environmental Engineering Laboratory, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Denis A Sarigiannis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Environmental Engineering Laboratory, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Menno Keuken
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), 3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Laura Perez
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstr. 57, 4002 Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Peterspl. 1, 4003 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Marco Martuzzi
- European Centre for Environment and Health, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany.
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