Awareness of health impacts of NO2 and, potential responses to diesel vehicle bans and proposals to cease their production

Abstract

Evidence of associations between ambient concentrations of NO2 and a range of effects on health has strengthened in recent years. On average, transport is responsible for 40% of NOx emissions influencing ambient NO2 concentrations at the road side. Diesel engines emit a higher percentage of NO2 and their recent popularity in the context of emissions is of some concern. Diesel engines have been popular because of their higher efficiency and the lower costs of fuel but recent proposed bans of diesel vehicles in major cities and proposals by some car manufacturers to stop producing them is likely to influence changes in user behaviour. The research reports on the findings of a survey of 730 individuals that 1) examined current general awareness of the impacts of NO2 and air pollution on health 2) determined if geographical, transport and socio-economic variables could be linked with self-reported health status of the participants in the context of respiratory conditions, and 3) assessed the potential responses to diesel vehicle bans and proposals to cease their production. Awareness of the impacts of NO2 on health was measurable and higher than expected. Discriminant analysis found a number of transport and location predictor variables could be linked to respiratory medical conditions although the strength of association was not sufficient to give high performance in classification. Potential responses to cessation of diesel vehicle production included hybrid and electric vehicle purchase with a significant number suggesting they would keep their current diesel vehicle as long as it would keep going.