Damages and Expected Deaths Due to Excess NOx Emissions from 2009 to 2015 Volkswagen Diesel Vehicles

Environ Sci Technol. 2016 Feb 2;50(3):1111-7. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5b05190. Epub 2016 Jan 14.

Abstract

We estimate the damages and expected deaths in the United States due to excess emissions of NOx from 2009 to 2015 Volkswagen diesel vehicles. Using data on vehicle registrations and a model of pollution transport and valuation, we estimate excess damages of $430 million and 46 excess expected deaths. Accounting for uncertainty about emissions gives a range for damages from $350 million to $500 million, and a range for excess expected deaths from 40 to 52. Our estimates incorporate significant local heterogeneity: for example, Minneapolis has the highest damages despite having fewer noncompliant vehicles than 13 other cities. Our estimated damages greatly exceed possible benefits from reduced CO2 emissions due to increased fuel economy.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / analysis
  • Air Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Automobiles* / statistics & numerical data
  • Cities
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Humans
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Mortality
  • Nitrogen Oxides / analysis
  • Nitrogen Oxides / toxicity*
  • Public Health
  • United States
  • Vehicle Emissions / analysis
  • Vehicle Emissions / toxicity*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Nitrogen Oxides
  • Vehicle Emissions