What type of emissions do state inspections aim to minimize?

State inspections aim to minimize harmful pollutants because these emissions are significant contributors to air quality issues and can have serious health impacts. Harmful pollutants include substances like nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter, which are released during the combustion of fuels in vehicles. By focusing on reducing these pollutants during the inspection process, regulations help ensure that vehicles operate more cleanly and efficiently, ultimately safeguarding environmental and public health.

While reducing carbon dioxide emissions is important for addressing climate change, carbon dioxide is not classified as a harmful pollutant in the context of air quality health standards. Water vapor is a natural component of the atmosphere and not considered a pollutant. Sound emissions, although they can be a nuisance, do not fall under the same category of harmful emissions tied to air quality concerns. Thus, the primary focus of state inspections is to address and mitigate the release of harmful pollutants from vehicles.