An evaluation of the environmental and health effects of vehicle exhaust catalysts in the United Kingdom

Hutchinson, E. J. and Pearson, Peter J. G. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2447-406X 2004. An evaluation of the environmental and health effects of vehicle exhaust catalysts in the United Kingdom. Environmental Health Perspectives 112 (2) , pp. 132-141. 10.1289/ehp.6349

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Abstract

Since 1993, all new gasoline-engine automobiles in the United Kingdom have been supplied with three-way vehicle exhaust catalytic converters (VECs) containing platinum, palladium, and rhodium, to comply with European Commission Stage I limits on emissions of regulated pollutants: carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and oxides of nitrogen. We conducted a physical and economic evaluation of the environmental and health benefits from a reduction in emissions through this mandated environmental technology against the costs, with reference to urban areas in Great Britain. We made both an ex post assessment--based on available data to 1998--and an ex ante assessment--projected to 2005, the year when full penetration of VECs into the fleet is expected. Substantial health benefits in excess of the costs of VECs were indicated: By 1998 the estimated net societal health benefits were approximately 500 million British pounds, and by 2005 they were estimated to rise to as much as 2 billion British pounds. We also found through environmental surveys that although lead in road dust has fallen by 50% in urban areas, platinum accumulations near roads have risen significantly, up to 90-fold higher than natural background levels. This rapid accumulation of platinum suggests further monitoring is warranted, although as yet there is no evidence of adverse health effects.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Architecture
Subjects:	T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
Uncontrolled Keywords:	air quality, economic evaluation, Great Britain, health risk assessment, pollution, pollution control, platinum, road transport, urban, vehicle exhaust catalysts
Publisher:	National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
ISSN:	0091-6765
Last Modified:	20 Oct 2022 08:05
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/27208

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