Controlling Vehicle Pollution
Motor vehicles are the largest source of three important pollutants: carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons. Because these pollutants can damage health and the environment, everyone has a stake in limiting vehicle emissions.
This website presents general information on vehicle pollution, and tells how emissions associated with vehicles (vehicles are also referred to as mobile sources of pollution) are controlled in New York -- emission standards and testing, hydrocarbon vapor containment, and DEC emission control and research programs.
How Vehicle Pollution Harms the Environment and Health
Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons are released when fuel is burned in the internal combustion engine and the air/gasoline residuals are emitted through the tailpipe. Gasoline vapors also escape into the air during refueling, or when fuel vaporizes from engines and fuel systems warmed by running or by hot weather.
The compounds in vehicle emissions are known to damage lung tissue, and can lead to and aggravate respiratory diseases such as asthma. Motor vehicle pollution also contributes to the formation of acid rain and adds to greenhouse gases that cause global warming.
But the pollutants that come directly from vehicles are not the only cause for concern. On warm, sunny days, hydrocarbons react with nitrogen oxides to create a secondary pollutant, ozone. In many urban areas, motor vehicles are the single largest contributor to ground-level ozone, a common component of smog. Ozone causes coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, and can bring on permanent lung damage, making it a cause of crucial public health problems.
Reducing Vehicle Pollution
Proper maintenance of car and truck emission control systems not only limits harmful emissions, but also can improve fuel efficiency and vehicle performance, extending the life of the vehicle. Care in storing and handling gasoline and other solvents reduces vapor losses to the air.
New York's enhanced Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Program, a decentralized test-and-repair program implemented jointly by the New York State departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Motor Vehicles (DMV), requires repair of faulty emission systems to bring emissions within acceptable limits. The enhanced emissions testing program is an important component of New York's plan to meet federal air quality standards.
More about Controlling Vehicle Pollution:
- Vehicle Pollution Fact Sheet - In many urban areas, motor vehicles are the single largest contributor to ozone, a major component of smog.
- Vehicles Pollute - Tip Sheet - facts and helpful tips on reducing vehicle pollution
- Diesel Engines Impact on Air Quality - Diesel engines are durable and efficient. They consume diesel fuel, a complicated mix of petroleum components, and, therefore, some pollutants are produced.
- Heavy Duty Diesel Vehicle I/M - The Department has developed regulations to implement an emissions inspection and maintenance I/M program for on-road heavy duty diesel vehicles (HDDVs).
- Heavy-Duty Vehicle Idling Laws - Heavy-Duty Vehicle Idling Laws
- Heavy Duty Inspection/Maintenance Program DEC Approved Smokemeters - The Department has approved for use these smoke meters or opacity meters
- Gasoline Vapor Recovery at Service Stations - Gasoline Vapor Recovery at Service Stations
- Improved Gasoline Storage Containers - Improved Gasoline Storage Containers, helpful tips
- New Gas Cans Fact Sheet - New Gas Cans Fact Sheet
- Fuel Programs - New York State is legally obligated to regulate fuels under US EPA guidelines
- New Vehicle Technology - New York State's new vehicle technology program is modeled after the California Low Emission Vehicle (CAL-LEV) program
- Air Resources Research Summaries - Air Resources research papers for technical audiences
