Economic And Environmental Impacts of Vehicle Emissions Standards.
According to environmentalists around the world, the Earth is under siege by a vast array of human caused problems. Problems, which are more often than not, lacking effective solutions. One such crisis is the damage resulting from high vehicle emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide. Current aims of vehicle emissions regulations are primarily focused on the reduction of carbon monoxide (CO) emissions with a secondary focus on the reduction of hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NO). The main questions in need of being addressed remain: 1) what are the effects increased emissions levels of mobile emissions sources have had upon the environment? 2) What steps are being taken to decrease the adverse effects on air quality in urban areas? 3) What is the economic effect resulting from these imposed regulations? And finally, a look will be taken at the environmental and economic effects emissions regulations have had upon Denver and the front range.
Environmental and Health Effects.
The main focus of emissions regulations typically focuses on substantially decreasing levels of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas formed by the incomplete burning of hydrocarbon-based fuels. This incomplete combustion occurs at low air-to-fuel ratios in engines such as during vehicle starting, when cars fail to be properly maintained, during cold weather and at a high altitude. Typically, carbon monoxide is release into the atmosphere directly from vehicle tailpipes, as motor vehicles are the primary source of urban carbon monoxide. Nationwide, two-thirds of the carbon monoxide emissions come from vehicular sources, with the largest contribution coming from highway motor vehicles. In urban areas, the motor vehicle contribution to CO pollution can exceed ninety percent. (EPA Automobiles).