title: An evaluation of the environmental and health effects of vehicle exhaust catalysts in the UK.
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.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Epidemiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom. emma.hutchinson@lshtm.ac.uk
authors.forename: Emma J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.forename: Peter J G
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Pearson
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004777:Environment; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010165:Palladium / Q000032:analysis; D010984:Platinum / Q000032:analysis; D011634:Public Health / Q000191:economics; D012238:Rhodium / Q000032:analysis; D006113:United Kingdom; D014505:Urban Population; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D010984:Platinum; D010165:Palladium; D012238:Rhodium