The Missing Health Link: How a transition to electrified vehicles may benefit more than just the environment

Worldwide, more than 1 billion vehicles are used regularly, with the majority being gasoline powered. These transport methods are known emitters of carbon dioxide, particulate matter (PM), and other pollutants (i.e., nitric oxides). Such compounds pose a great environmental risk, but recent research has also suggested health consequences. PM, a microscopic carcinogenic substance, affects many biological systems and has been associated with medical concerns in clinical and laboratory settings. In clinical settings, research on the effects of PM of 2.5 μm or lower in diameter (PM2.5) have focused on interactions with the cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems. Vulnerable populations (i.e., the elderly and hospitalized patients) disproportionately experience an increase in cardiovascular and respiratory deaths along with hospital admissions for heart disease and asthma. Also, studies have found an increase in tumorigenesis.