Study Reveals 342 Annual Premature Deaths Linked to Vehicle Emissions in Greater Boston

A recent study conducted by Boston University School of Public Health, in collaboration with the Institute for the Environment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has revealed significant health impacts associated with vehicular emissions in Greater Boston. The research estimates that these emissions are responsible for 342 premature deaths each year in the region.

Published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, the study emphasizes the critical role of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution, with nearly 90% of the identified premature deaths attributed to elevated levels of this harmful gas. The analysis highlights that light-duty trucks, including SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, and minivans, are the primary culprits contributing to these health issues, in line with their increasing popularity among local drivers.

Interestingly, the research indicates that suburban driving is the leading source of health damage in the area, surpassing the impacts of urban traffic. The team utilized advanced air quality modeling techniques to assess how specific pollution sources affect mortality rates within different communities across Greater Boston. This innovative approach aims to guide targeted transportation policies and climate action initiatives not only in Boston but also in other urban areas nationwide.

Dr. Jonathan Buonocore, a senior author of the study and an assistant professor of environmental health at BUSPH, notes the substantial health implications of transportation emissions in Greater Boston. He emphasizes the need to quantify the health benefits resulting from efforts to reduce co-pollutants as the region progresses toward decarbonizing its transportation sector.

Dr. Sarav Arunachalam, the study's corresponding author and deputy director of UNC-IE, suggests that the findings can assist policymakers in developing localized strategies aimed at enhancing public health. The study draws upon national data regarding premature mortality rates and asthma exacerbations to assess the air quality effects induced by on-road vehicle emissions. The researchers aimed to understand population exposure patterns and health damages by vehicle type and emission source.

The analysis revealed that approximately 87% of the 342 premature deaths linked to on-road emissions were associated with NO2 concentrations. The study also found that nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were responsible for about 55,000 and 2,600 asthma exacerbations per year, respectively. While light-duty trucks were identified as causing the highest overall health impact, medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks contributed more significant health damages per ton of emissions compared to lighter vehicles.

Moreover, while the total health damages were highest from suburban driving, urban communities experienced threefold higher health damages attributable to PM2.5 exposure in comparison to suburban areas. This information is expected to play a crucial role in refining Boston's climate action plans, including the Go Boston 2030 initiative, which seeks to improve transportation safety, expand access, and reduce emissions.

In a related study published earlier in the year, researchers found that electrifying medium- and heavy-duty trucks in New York City could result in $2.4 billion in health benefits by preventing 248 deaths and reducing childhood asthma emergency department visits. The new study highlights that on-road vehicle pollution in Greater Boston incurs over $3.5 billion in annual health damages.

As Boston aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the advanced modeling tools developed by the research team could significantly enhance various projects and policies. According to Dr. Buonocore, this high-resolution modeling can evaluate the health benefits of transportation improvements, such as expanding public transit systems, enhancing pedestrian and biking infrastructure, promoting vehicle electrification, and implementing congestion pricing to decrease vehicle traffic in downtown Boston.