Volkswagen Excess Emissions Will Cause 59 Early Deaths, Study Says

• A new study conducted by MIT and Harvard has found that Volkswagen AG (ADR) VLKAY vehicles violating EPA emissions standards will cause 59 U.S. deaths.
• In addition, the study found that emissions from the vehicles will cause 210,000 collective days of lower respiratory symptoms in the U.S.
• Volkswagen’s stock is down more than 30 percent in the past three months in the wake of the scandal.

A new study by a collaboration of researchers from MIT and Harvard has found that Volkswagen’s emissions scandal will be impacting more than just the company’s reputation. Researchers estimate that Volkswagen vehicles equipped with a “defeat device” that allows them to cheat EPA emission standards will ultimately result in 59 U.S. deaths.

Health impact
The focus of the study was the illegal levels of nitrogen oxide emissions which the defeat device allow on equipped vehicles. In addition to the 59 deaths that will result from these emissions, researcher Steven Barrett also projects the device will be responsible for 30 cases of chronic bronchitis and 210,000 days of lower respiratory symptoms in the U.S.

Making the best of a bad situation
Although the report’s projections are grim, researchers also show that eliminating the problem as soon as it was discovered was a life-saving endeavor. If the Volkswagen vehicles affected were not recalled, researchers project there would have been another 140 emissions-related deaths in the U.S. through 2035.

“Including the early deaths that have occurred or are already bound to occur, this means that bringing the vehicles into compliance in 2016 can avert 66% of total early deaths and 62% of monetized costs,” Barrett explains in the report.

Volkswagen reeling
In addition to preparing for one of the biggest recalls in history, Volkswagen will also likely be facing fines of up to $18 billion from the EPA. Volkswagen’s share price has also declined by more than 30 percent in the past three months.

Disclosure: the author holds no position in the stocks mentioned.