To read the popular press, the average person would believe that automobiles are the single worst polluter on the planet. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Dr. Mark D. Warden of the Council of Vehicle Associations, set off on a mission to determine what proportion of various pollutants emitted each year could be attributed to passenger vehicles. Dr. Warden relied primarily on the Environmental Air Pollution Emission Estimates, 1940-1990, as published by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Technical Service, Springfield, VA 22161.
The following numbers represent a comparison of the pollutants emitted by passenger automobiles (versus aircraft, railroads, etc.) and stationary and industrial sources. Also not included in these comparisons are emissions related to natural sources, solid waste disposal, and fires.
If Table 1 gives you pause to wonder why the automobile has become the EPA's whipping boy, consider the following raw numbers. Keep in mind that the vehicle fleet increased over 50% and the miles traveled increased 65% (from 1970-1990).Any neutral observer would have to surmise that the automobile has done its part. It's time to focus on other sources of air pollution.
Here's a proposal for Mr. Clinton and company. Let's take all the money we are now squandering, and will squander, by marching tens of millions of motorists through inspection stations, and instead, make low or no interest loans available to industry to upgrade its emissions systems. A portion of the savings could be invested in research and implementation of technologies to selectively identify gross polluters (vehicles). A small percentage could be set aside to help low income people with vehicle repairs.
This will leave about 90% of heretofore wasted money available for deficit reduction-and unemployment compensation for several thousand former emission inspection employees in need of retraining for productive employment.
TABLE 1
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Stationary &
Passenger Vehicles Industrial Sources
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Volatile Organic 1970 11.7% 1970 38.0%
Compounds 1990 17.8% 1990 48.1%
Carbon Monoxide 1970 48.4% 1970 13.3%
1990 30.9% 1990 20.3%
Nitrogen Oxides 1970 21.5% 1970 53.0%
1990 11.1% 1990 60.2%
Lead 1970 76.5%* 1970 16.4%
1990 28.2%* 1990 38.0%
Particulate Matter 1970 3.3% 1970 81.6%
1990 8.3% 1990 60.0%
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* This is lead from all mobile sources, not just automobiles.
TABLE 2
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Stationary &
Passenger Vehicles Industrial Sources
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Nitrogen Oxides Nitrogen Oxides
from 1970-1990 from 1970-1990
45.5% reduction 20.4% increase
Volatile Organic Volatile Organic
Compounds Compounds
from 1970-1990 from 1970-1990
50.7% reduction 5.8% reduction
Carbon Monoxide Carbon Monoxide
from 1970-l990 from 1970-l990
62.2% reduction 9.6% reduction
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