The Worst Polluters: Automotive's and Planes

Aired 6/13/2020. Dr. Maz Zhang of Cornell and Dr. John Heywood of MIT join HLHP Radio to speak about transportation pollution, and our worst polluters, cars, trucks and planes, and the impact on our body and environment.

Dr. Heywood explains how and why cars, trucks and planes all pollute differently by breaking down their engines and fuel types. Regardless, all forms of transportation emit massive amounts of carbon pollution, causing a rise in greenhouse gases in our environment. Major pollutants are not only limited to carbon, they also include hydrocarbon, smog, and ozone. Dr. Heywood explains that smog attacks all living and non-living beings, from materials to plants and animals, and our human bodies. With congestion at the top of list for air pollution, Dr. Heywood states that while getting cars off the road is the best option, people may be more inclined to simply move to electric vehicles, which is indeed a step in the right direction. Dr. Heywood looks further into the future to talk about solutions on the horizon, and reminds our listeners to move out of COVID-19 with more consciousness and aim to never return to the driving frequency and congestion prior to this time.

Dr. Max Zhang unpacks emission pollution based on exposure. For example, if you live near and airport your personal exposure rates are higher. Additionally, in the climate community, there is a major concern about contrail (condensation and trail) pollution from aircrafts, and these emissions dominate atmospheric pollution rates. 90% of aircraft solutions happen above ground level, whereas 10% of emissions are released at ground level. Dr. Zhang explains how cars, planes and trucks pollute, while much of the pollution is fuel, there is nanoparticle pollution from breaks, tires, oil and beyond. Portable Emission Management Systems are key for tracking pollution. However it doesn’t stop with research, Dr. Zhang looks to the solutions as well, such as highway design, green infrastructure near highways and ends by reminding listeners, “the solution to pollution is dilution.”

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