Research Highlights

Air Researchers Examine Near-Road Toxic Emissions

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Can living near a major roadway be dangerous to your health? To provide some answers to that question, air quality specialists in EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) are gathering data to quantify the extent and concentrations of selected motor vehicle emissions near heavy-traffic roadways. In collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration, ORD researchers are studying Criteria (regulated) Pollutants, air toxics, and particulate matter associated with risk of acute respiratory effects. The data will be useful in the development of programs, such as road and barrier construction, that could minimize near-road exposures to high-risk pollutants.

Background

Sensing equipment for near-road sampling

EPA air quality researchers have identified more than 1,000 compounds known to be emitted from cars, trucks and other highway vehicles. The Clean Air Act of 1970 designated six Criteria Pollutants to be regulated by the states under National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Found in large quantities in heavily populated urban areas, these pollutants include ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, and particulate matter (soot, dust, and smoke particles small enough to lodge in the respiratory tract). In 1990, Clean Air Act Amendments established a list of 189 Toxic Air Pollutants (hazardous compounds known or suspected of causing cancer or other serious health effects). This legislation focused on air emissions from targeted industries, which are responsible for emissions controls. Examples include benzene (found in gasoline); methylene chloride (a solvent and paint stripper); dioxin; formaldehyde; and metals such as mercury, chromium and lead compounds.

With more than 35 million people in the United States living within 300 feet of a major road, there is growing concern about the health impacts from roadway air pollutants. Research has established that people who live, work, or attend school near major roads have an increased incidence and severity of particular health problems that may be related to air pollution from heavy traffic. Over 200 studies have indicated that living near major roadways is associated with cardio-respiratory effects (asthma, bronchitis), adverse birth outcomes, premature mortality, cardiovascular effects and cancer. Research was needed to understand what types of pollutants are present near roadways, how people are exposed to them, the extent of exposure, and the type and severity of health effects.

The Near-Roadway Research Program

Following a 2006 pilot study, EPA launched the first full-scale study in 2008 to measure, define and profile roadway air pollutants along a portion of I-15 in Las Vegas. During this year-long study, scientists and engineers are working with the Federal Highway Administration gathering data to better understand relationships between traffic emissions and roadway-related air pollution concentrations at various distances from the roadway. The study addresses elements such as rain, wind and other meteorological impacts that are known to influence the concentrations and distribution of pollutants. Traffic flow and the speed and types of vehicles are also factors in the evaluation. Future work will include a cooperative effort to link potential health effects to these pollutants.

• To identify and define mobile source emissions through direct measurements of vehicles and to monitor nearby roads with varied traffic levels and vehicle classifications
• To assess factors affecting the variability of near-road air pollutants such as traffic activity and roadway design
• To improve modeling tools for near-road air quality and human exposure assessments
• To assess the health effects from near-roadway exposures

The near-roadway research is expected to produce scientific data and tools needed by federal, state, and local governments and organizations to make road projects and transportation decisions. The information could also be used by local school districts on whether to locate new schools near large roadways and on ways to mitigate impacts from local roads on existing schools. State highway and environmental agencies can use the science to assess local health impacts of transportation decisions.

Contact

Jane Ice, NRMRL Office of Public Affairs (513) 569-7311

Hot Off the Presses—NRMRL Publications

Journal Articles

Baldauf, R. W., N. Watkins, D. Heist, C. Bailey, P. T. Rowley, and R. C. Shores. (2009) “Near-road air quality monitoring: Factors affecting network design and interpretation of data.” Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health. Springer Netherlands, Netherlands, 2(1):1–9.

Hagler, G. (2009) “Real-time ambient carbon monoxide and ultrafine particle concentration mapping in a near-road environment.” In Proceedings, Symposium on Air Quality Measurement Methods and Technology, Chapel Hill, NC, November 03–06, 2008. Air & Waste Management Association, Pittsburgh, PA.

Hays, M. D., L. Beck, P. M. Barfield, R. Willis, M. S. Landis, and R. K. Stevens. (2009) “Physical and chemical characterization of residual oil-fired power plant emissions.” Energy and Fuels. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 23(5):2544–2551.

Kumar, D., V. B. Reddy, and R. S. Varma. (2009) “A facile and regioselective synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles using click chemistry.” Tetrahedron Letters. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 50(18):2065–2068.

Impellitteri, C., T. M. Tolaymat, and K. G. Scheckel. (2009) “The Speciation of Silver Nanoparticles in Antimicrobial Fabric Before and After Exposure to a Hypochlorite/Detergent Solution.” Journal of Environmental Quality. American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI, 38(4):1528–1530.

Polshettiwar, V., M. N. Nadagouda, and R. S. Varma. (2008) “The synthesis and applications of a micro-pine-structured nanocatalyst.” Chemical Communications. Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, UK, (47):6318–6320.

Polshettiwar, V., B. Baruwati, and R. S. Varma. (2009) “Self-Assembly of Metal Oxides into Three-Dimensional Nanostructures: Synthesis and Application in Catalysis.” ACS Nano. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 3(3):728–736.

Schock, M. R. and A. M. Sandvig. (2009) “Long-Term Effects of Orthophosphate Treatment on Copper Concentration.” Journal of the American Water Works Association. American Water Works Association, Denver, CO, 101(7):71–82.

Thoma, E. D. (2009) “Area Source Emission Measurements Using EPA OTM 10.” In Proceedings, Symposium on Air Quality Management Methods and Technology, Chapel Hill, NC, November 03–06, 2008. Air & Waste Management Association, Pittsburgh, PA.

Walker, Jr., J. T., J. M. Vose, J. Knoepp, and C. D. Geron. (2009) “Recovery of Nitrogen Pools and Processes in Degraded Riparian Zones in the Southern Appalachians.” Journal of Environmental Quality. American Society of Agronomy, 38(4):1391–1399.

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