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Cars and Trucks: Ozone, the toxic gas that makes pollution harmful to human health, is composed of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
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Vehicles produce about 45% of the Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions and about 30% of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in our region. As poorly-planned development spreads over a larger area of our region separating homes from jobs and stores, the amount of driving increases and air pollution worsens. The number of miles driven in our region has increased at nearly three times the rate of population growth over the past twenty years. |
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According to the Texas Transportation
Institute, between 1982 and 1997, the Washington Region's population increased
by 28.3% while the amount of driving (or vehicle miles traveled) increased
by 81.5%. If driving continues to increase at almost three times the rate
of our population growth, our air quality will continue to deteriorate
and we will continue to violate air quality standards.
Other Sources:
More Information:
Penalties
for not meeting DC Air Quality requirements
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