The Air Pollution Control Act of 1955 was established to research air pollution. In 1963, the Clean Air Act became law to actually control air pollution. It has since been amended several times to expand governmental activities including increasing regulations of air polluting emission in transportation.

Who Regulates Auto Emissions?

Since the 1970s, the EPA has implemented standards on a federal and state level to lower greenhouse gas emission of vehicles in the US. It has mandated periodic testing, referred to as an Inspection/Maintenance or I/M Program. This program ensures that vehicles, based on their manufactured year, are operating within the regulations set by the EPA. It also helps to improve air quality by identifying vehicles with high emission levels and requiring repair before registration will be issued or renewed. The Department of Motor Vehicles in each state regulates the emissions inspection tests.

The Dangers of Vehicle Emissions

Auto emissions consist of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide and can create a host of health issues through the creation of ozone and acid rain. These emissions create tiny particles, or ground-level ozone. When people breathe in these tiny particles, it can cause or worsen respiratory issues, like asthma or pneumonia or may even cause lung damage.

When vehicle emissions are released into the air and a chemical reaction occurs, the result is acid rain. This type of rain is brought about when the emissions rise in the atmosphere and react when mixed with water, oxygen and other compounds. The result is the formation of acidic pollutants, or acid rain. Human activities such as industrial and vehicle emissions are the main causes of acid rain.

Acid rain is harmful not only to humans, but also to forest, lakes and streams. Acid rain dissolves the natural nutrients on the forest ground and releases aluminum into the soil preventing the roots from easily soaking up water. It also increases the acidity and adds aluminum contaminated soil runoff to lakes and streams. The result is harmful to aquatic life such as fish, frogs, and phytoplankton.

How You Can Reduce Auto Emissions

Since greenhouse gas emissions are dangerous to both health and the environment, it is imperative to do what we can to lessen vehicle emissions. Although hybrid or flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) are wonderful options, there are even simpler and less expensive available activities that you can implement into your daily life. Ask yourself if you even need to drive a car. Could you take the bus, ride your bicycle or walk? How about planning and grouping your activities to make fewer trips?

According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. declined in 2009 by 7%, roughly about 405 million metric tons. The more we think about our actions and implement small changes, the greater the results will be for our air quality today and in the future.