Ozone Safety: Low Emission Zones in Full Effect Over in Europe

This article describes how no one likes air pollution, and much has been done recently to combat or at least mitigate air pollution. An expanding trend that has appeared in more than 70 cities and eight countries within the European Union may soon touch down on local shores as well, taking air-pollution-control efforts an interesting step further. Dubbed “low-emission zones” (LEZs) and introduced in Europe in 2007, this innovation is fast becoming common on the continent. LEZs are areas or roads where the most polluting vehicles are restricted from entering. This means that vehicles are banned, or in some cases charged, if they enter the LEZ when their emissions are over a set level. These LEZs are often the most effective measure that cities can take to reduce air pollution problems in their area. The emissions that are aimed to be reduced by LEZs are mainly fine particles, nitrogen dioxide and indirectly ozone. LEZs are implemented in areas where air pollution is at levels that are dangerous to health in order to improve the air quality to make it safer to breathe. Air pollution is responsible for 310,000 premature deaths in Europe each year, more than caused by road accidents. Air pollution particularly affects the very young and the old and those with heart and lung diseases—both common causes of death in Europe. It also triggers health problems like asthma attacks and increases hospital admissions and days off sick. The human health damage that air pollution causes is estimated to cost the European economy between €427 billion and €790 billion per year. For those not familiar with recent Euro-to-dollar exchange rates, that’s approximately $552 billion to over $1 trillion per year. And those kinds of numbers are attracting attention.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.roadsbridges.com/EMISSIONS-Ozone-safety-article12115
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/11660022
• Authors:
  • Schurr, Arthur
• Publication Date: 2010-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 24-25
• Serial:
  • Roads & Bridges
  • Volume: 48
  • Issue Number: 9
  • Publisher: Scranton Gillette Communications
  • ISSN: 8750-9229
  • Serial URL: http://www.roadsbridges.com/rb/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pollution; Air quality management; Environmental impacts; Environmental policy; Exhaust gases; Health hazards; Pollutants; Public health
• Uncontrolled Terms: Low emission zones
• Geographic Terms: European Union countries
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01206927
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 13 2010 2:52PM