Trucks versus Trains: How Does the Way We Get Our Stuff Affect Air Pollution?

Abstract

The air we breathe is composed of lots of different chemical components. Some of these components are pollutants that are harmful to human health. Air pollutants come from a variety of different sources, including power plants, factories, agriculture, and transportation. Transportation vehicles are powered by combustion of fossil fuels, such as gasoline or diesel, to move from one place to another, and combustion of these fuels results in the release of gases and very small particles. These substances are known as "pollution emissions." Different types of transportation can emit different amounts of air pollutants, which have an impact on local and regional air quality. Both trucks and trains are used to transport freight in the United States. Understanding how freight trucks and trains impact air quality is useful to learn ways to reduce pollution that is harmful to human health. wHAT Is AIR QuAlITY AnD wHY Does IT mATTeR? Air pollution is the presence of particulates (very small pieces of solid matter) and gases in the air, which are harmful for humans and the environment. Air pollution Gaseous and particulate chemical compounds suspended in the atmosphere that can cause smog and affect human health.