According to a recently released study, examining the effects of removing lead from gasoline, unleaded gas substantially reduced lead poisoning in children. Because lead poisoning is linked to more aggressive behavior is linked to violent crime, the study finds a substantial reduction in violent crime associated with the removal of lead from gasoline.
This is in addition to the substantial reduction in violent crime from the legalization of abortion.
It's crazy how things are linked together...
Showing posts with label air pollution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label air pollution. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Monday, April 09, 2007
Plug-in hybrids can reduce pollution, too
The tireless folks at Energista have struck energy information gold again, reviewing two new reports at the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The more interesting (to me) is the report analyzing the air pollution impact of converting Minnesota's vehicle fleet to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
PHEVs are an existing-technology route to gaining oil independence by shifting fuel use to electricity. When combined with a flexible fuel engine capable of using E85 or biodiesel, a car could get over 100 miles per gallon of fuel and more than 500 miles per gallon of gasoline.
I examined this technology in a past post and concluded that for $170 billion, the United States could achieve oil independence in two years, assuming a price premium of $5000 for a hybrid engine and $100 to make it flex-fuel compatible.
The Minnesota report shows that for almost all criteria air pollutants, a fleet of PHEVs would reduce pollution compared to regular cars (the exception being sulfur dioxide, due to most Minnesota electricity coming from coal). However, with Minnesota already committed to 25% renewable electricity by 2025, these figures can only improve.
PHEVs are an existing-technology route to gaining oil independence by shifting fuel use to electricity. When combined with a flexible fuel engine capable of using E85 or biodiesel, a car could get over 100 miles per gallon of fuel and more than 500 miles per gallon of gasoline.
I examined this technology in a past post and concluded that for $170 billion, the United States could achieve oil independence in two years, assuming a price premium of $5000 for a hybrid engine and $100 to make it flex-fuel compatible.
The Minnesota report shows that for almost all criteria air pollutants, a fleet of PHEVs would reduce pollution compared to regular cars (the exception being sulfur dioxide, due to most Minnesota electricity coming from coal). However, with Minnesota already committed to 25% renewable electricity by 2025, these figures can only improve.
Supreme Court: The EPA must regulate carbon
In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court decided last week that carbon dioxide is a pollutant that should be regulated by the EPA. In addition to raising the possibility of federal policy on greenhouse gases, the ruling may also empower states such as California, which has moved on its own to regulate carbon dioxide.
Ultimately, the slow march toward carbon caps and climate gas regulation in the United States is likely to run headlong into American energy habits, particularly where cars are concerned. The Wall Street Journal has an April 5 article entitled "Horsepower Nation," noting that Americans still like a lot of power in their cars, despite the rising cost of gas and greater emissions:
Ultimately, the slow march toward carbon caps and climate gas regulation in the United States is likely to run headlong into American energy habits, particularly where cars are concerned. The Wall Street Journal has an April 5 article entitled "Horsepower Nation," noting that Americans still like a lot of power in their cars, despite the rising cost of gas and greater emissions:
Car makers are getting better at using technology to squeeze out more power without decreasing fuel efficiency. But environmentalists and government regulators criticize the industry for using technology -- such as more sophisticated fuel control systems -- to boost power instead of mileage...A couple thoughts come to mind at this:
...Mike Jackson, chief executive of AutoNation Inc., the nation's largest publicly traded dealership chain, says fuel efficiency has consistently ranked behind cup holders and sound systems in consumer desires over the past 20 years.
- Americans still don't grasp the full extent of the threat of global warming.
- Public policy has to lead the market, since customers simply do not select for climate impact at the point of sale.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
CFLs: higher efficiency, but a little Hg
Compact fluorescents are the new sliced bread of energy efficiency, with Wal-Mart committed to selling 100 million in the next year. But as I mentioned in that post on Wal-Mart, the Wall Street Journal Energy Roundup discusses the one drawback in mass producing CFLs - they contain mercury.
Mercury is toxic, which means that CFLs should not be discarded and landfilled (or incinerated) but should be recycled. But that's a big change for a population used to discarding burnt out bulbs.
The good news is that the CFL tends to reduce overall mercury emissions into the environment because reducing electricity use tends to reduce coal burning, which also releases mercury. But we still shouldn't be trading one mercury emission for another.
Update 10:23: For Anagram, who likes his solutions on a silver platter, some possible ways to deal with the mercury in CFLs:
1) Make a CFL without mercury (although one manufacturer says that's not possible)
2) Create an aggressive CFL recycling campaign
3) Your idea here, smarty pants
4) Pay for (1) - (3) with a small tax on light bulbs based on the quantity of toxic material
Mercury is toxic, which means that CFLs should not be discarded and landfilled (or incinerated) but should be recycled. But that's a big change for a population used to discarding burnt out bulbs.
The good news is that the CFL tends to reduce overall mercury emissions into the environment because reducing electricity use tends to reduce coal burning, which also releases mercury. But we still shouldn't be trading one mercury emission for another.
Update 10:23: For Anagram, who likes his solutions on a silver platter, some possible ways to deal with the mercury in CFLs:
1) Make a CFL without mercury (although one manufacturer says that's not possible)
2) Create an aggressive CFL recycling campaign
3) Your idea here, smarty pants
4) Pay for (1) - (3) with a small tax on light bulbs based on the quantity of toxic material
Friday, November 10, 2006
A concrete that cleans?
Smog getting you down? Never fear, self-cleaning concrete is here! Coated with titanium dioxide, the new concrete - called TX active - helps quicken the oxidation of harmful chemicals such as nitrogen oxides (smog contributors), carbon monoxide, and benzene (a carcinogen). For only a 30% premium over regular concrete, it can reduce NOx by up to 60%.
The producer envisions this concrete in urban environments such as sidewalks and streets, reducing car pollution and keeping the urban air cleaner. As a bonus, the active compound in the concrete keeps these substances from clinging to the concrete, making it look cleaner. Nice!
While this is no reason to keep working on pollution reduction through cleaner fuels and renewable, clean energy, it's nice to know we can help clean up the mess closer to the source.
The producer envisions this concrete in urban environments such as sidewalks and streets, reducing car pollution and keeping the urban air cleaner. As a bonus, the active compound in the concrete keeps these substances from clinging to the concrete, making it look cleaner. Nice!
While this is no reason to keep working on pollution reduction through cleaner fuels and renewable, clean energy, it's nice to know we can help clean up the mess closer to the source.
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