Currently, mobile sources account for roughly half the nitrogen oxide pollution (NOx), more than 40% of hydrocarbon emissions, 80% of carbon monoxide emissions, and a quarter of particulates. In order to effectively address air pollution from the transportation sector, we need to reduce pollutants in the fuels, and improve vehicle emission control technologies. I am pleased that the Administration has offered these proposed standards as a package, including flexibility provisions and phase-in requirements, to achieve substantial, cost-effective air pollutant reductions.
The health and air quality benefits that would result from the proposed standards are not only significant, they are surprisingly impressive. A recent study by the State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators and the Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials (STAPPA-ALAPCO) found that and factoring in transport of air pollution, reducing gasoline sulfur levels to 40 parts per million (ppm) -- slightly above the current proposal -- would yield an air quality dividend equivalent to removing nearly 54 million vehicles from America's roads. Nationally, that's an air quality benefit of removing one in four cars from our highways. Described locally, for citizens of the New Haven region in Connecticut, the new sulfur standard would translate into air quality benefits equivalent to removing approximately 264,000 cars from their streets.
Reducing sulfur in gasoline decreases emissions of hydrocarbons and NOx which will in turn lead to a decrease of ground level ozone. Together, these pollutants worsen respiratory illnesses such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. In addition, cleaning the sulfur out of gasoline will lead to lower emissions of particulate matter and carbon monoxide, improve visibility, help address the acid rain problem, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Although sulfur occurs naturally in petroleum, it is a detriment to engine performance. In fact, I don't think that anyone would argue that sulfur is good for gasoline. On the contrary, sulfur is a contaminant that poisons the catalytic converters that are the heart of modern automobile pollution control systems. Sulfur is particularly harmful to the operation of low- and ultra low-emissions vehicles. For example, the NOx emissions from low- and ultra low-emissions vehicles that burn high-sulfur fuel range from 61% to 251% higher than similar vehicles running on low-sulfur fuels. To capitalize on the great pollution prevention promise of low and ultra-low emissions vehicles, we must ensure they have the clean gasoline they need to operate effectively.
The presence of sulfur in gasoline increases emissions of NOx and other pollutants by degrading catalytic converter performance. Unfortunately, much of the harm caused to catalytic converters by high-sulfur gasoline is irreversible. Once the damage is done, even returning to low-sulfur gasoline will not completely repair the pollution prevention system. Recent studies have shown using high-sulfur gasoline even briefly causes permanent reductions in catalyst performance as high as a permanent 15% catalyst efficiency loss for NOx and about 20% catalyst efficiency loss for carbon monoxide.
The irreversibility of catalyst poisoning is one of the most compelling reasons why the EPA's nationwide gasoline sulfur standard approach is the right strategy. We can't allow bad gas to ruin good engines. In the 1970s, we fought to remove lead from gasoline to make possible the introduction of catalytic converters. We didn't remove lead from gasoline only in areas with extremely high incidence of lead poisoning; we removed lead from all gasoline because it was the right thing to do for the health of all Americans across the country. Until recently, we did not appreciate that sulfur is a catalyst poison, too. Aside from California where they've had clean gasoline since 1996, all vehicles on American roads that benefit from catalytic converters -- the vast majority of vehicles -- produce substantially more pollution than they would if they were burning low-sulfur gasoline.
All Americans will benefit from the cleaner air that will result from cleaning our gasoline. A study by the State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators recently found that the EPA's gasoline sulfur standard offers marginal attainment areas more than 14 times the air quality benefits of the petroleum association's regional program. The national sulfur standard will likely keep these marginal attainment areas from exceeding new ground level ozone or particulate matter standards.
The EPA's proposed standard is cost-effective -- estimated to cost only one to two cents per gallon -- and it is achievable, as demonstrated by the experience of California. We must achieve this standard nationwide. Providing clean gasoline nationwide is one very important step that will help reduce pollution immediately and pave the road for the low and ultra-low emissions vehicles of the future. I applaud EPA's effort to clean our gasoline and, in turn, clean our air and improve our quality of life. The new gasoline sulfur standard will make it easier for all of America to achieve and enjoy clean air.