Also discussed here: Freeways Don’t Need to be a Housing Show-Stopper(The Greater Marin, Aug. 13, 2012)
Today we highlight a summary of the issues and research priorities and recent findings in the scientific literature for air pollution near major roads from the perspective of the Environmental Protection Agency in the USA. Among other points, the use of vegetation along roads to contain the pollution is seen as a promising approach for the future.
Key Quotes:
“Roadway pollution is almost entirely from tailpipe emissions, and most of the health effects are from particulate material, that brown smoke most recognizably seen coming out of large truck exhaust pipes”
“Living, working, or going to school near major roadways has been associated with numerous adverse health endpoints–Respiratory effects (e.g., asthma, bronchitis) –Cardiovascular effects. Adverse birth outcomes/developmental effects, Premature mortality, Cancer”
“Significant portion of U.S. population lives near large roads or transportation system –2007 American Housing Survey estimates >45 million people”
“More than 1,000 compounds have been identified in exhaust and evaporative emissions from mobile sources – many with known health implications–NAAQS Pollutants–Air Toxics–Particulate Matter”
“Plant barriers also send a plume upward, but much less pollution reaches the areas near the freeway. Instead, they collect the particulates on leaves and act as natural filters. Using both solid barriers and plant barriers, of course, yields better results than using only one”
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