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Challenges and solutions Kaare Press-Kristensen Senior adviser, air quality The Danish Ecological Council karp@env.dtu.dkkarp@env.dtu.dk / (+45) 22 81 10 27

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The engineer approach 1) Identify the air quality challenges. 2) Identify and quantify pollution sources. 3) Find the most cost-efficient reductions.

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Air quality challenges Legal challenges: NO 2 (PM 10 until 2008). Health challenges: PM 2.5 (to a minor degree NO 2 and PM 10 ). Ultrafine soot particles (PM 0.1, BC or EC).

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Identify pollution sources H.C. Andersen Boulevard in central Copenhagen. 51,000 vehicles (week day) and 4.7 % HDV.

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Quantify pollution sources

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Cost efficient reductions New Low emission zone (LEZ) requiring: 1) Closed particulate filters on diesel vehicles. 2) City-SCR (or similar) for all heavy duty vehicles. 3) Light vehicles must be newer than Euro 3. Congestion charge (CC) or satellite-based road pricing

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Potentials of new LEZ and CC Copenhagen can fulfill all air quality limits just by implementing a stricter LEZ and get far below the limits values by further implementing congestion charge (CC).

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Effects of the present LEZ 2008: Closed filters at HDV < EURO III 2010: Closed filters at HDV < EURO IV

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Effects of cyclists In Copenhagen 37 % of all trips are cycling trips.

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Conclusion Air quality limits in most EU cities can be met by a combination of LEZs, congestion charge, satellite- based road pricing and/or more cycle traffic. These actions will provide more people with a longer and much healthier life and at the same time solve other traffic related problems. The solutions are ready but we are still waiting for the politicians...

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But we are getting impatient ! Headline: The state is sued due to air pollution

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Publication: Clean air Copenhagen Will be on webpage together with the presentations. Funded by: The European Campaign: Soot free for the climate & The European Commission: LIFE11 ENV/DE/495: Clean Air Europe

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This project is co-funded by The European Campaign: Soot free for the climate & The European Commission: LIFE11 ENV/DE/495: Clean Air Europe

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Questions

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Definition: Particles in air Human hair diameter: 100 micrometers

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Mass versus number Exhaust particles

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Key air quality limits a) May not be exceeded more than 35 times in a calendar year. b) Under revision due to new recommendations from the WHO. c) May not be exceeded more than 18 times in a calendar year.

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CC is efficient in Milan In Milan the main pollution inside the congestion charge (CC) area is from buses, scooters etc.

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The right indicator Fine particles (PM 2.5 ) are an inappropriate indicator of pollution from road traffic ! Elementary Carbon

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Paradox of traffic pollution Traffic-related excess mortality among people living close to roads in Copenhagen: 300-500 deaths/year. Fine particles from local traffic cause 20 deaths/year. Exhaust gasses, traffic noise and traffic accidents from local traffic cause 20-40 deaths/year. So what causes the observed excess mortality ?

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Ultrafine soot particles Ultrafine soot particles seem to cause the observed excess mortality among people living close to roads in central Copenhagen.

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Traditionel vs. city-SCR

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Crystalline urea in traditional SCR. City-SCR solves this.

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