Carpooling can help reduce the health risks caused by transportation vehicle emissions by reducing the number of vehicles on the road.

The information below highlights some of the health and environmental impacts associated with air pollutants in vehicle emissions.

> $40 billion and $64 billion per year is the US cost of health issues associated with poor air quality from transportation.

> Four thousand people die each year from asthma-related causes, and asthma is a contributing factor for another 7,000 deaths every year.

> Living, working, going to school, or playing near major roadways increases the risk of asthma as well as other health conditions, such as cancer, respiratory illness, and heart disease.

> Communities located near heavily traveled highways have a disproportionately higher rate of lung cancer. Air pollutants, including carbonmonoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter (which is found primarily in diesel exhaust), are found along high traffic roads.

> According to the US Census Bureau, 36 million people live within 300 feet of a 4-lane highway, railroad, or airport.

 Source: American Public Health Association