Region 1: EPA New England

Greater Boston Breathes Better (GB3)

Mission Statement

Boston is world-class. Our Universities, hospitals, museums and sports teams can take your breath away. The air you breathe shouldn't.

The mission of Greater Boston Breathes Better, GB3, a unique partnership between public, private and governmental entities, is to help greater Boston’s citizens and visitors to breathe better. GB3 does this by promoting strategies and implementing projects to reduce air pollution from transportation and construction sources.

Vision

Through voluntary partnerships, expanding networks and increasing collaboration among the metro area’s strong, diverse sectors, GB3 is able to educate, innovate, and disseminate technology and ideas to reduce air pollution from transportation and construction sources.

Air Quality & Public Health

Motor vehicles, including cars, trucks and off road vehicles, contribute more than one half of New England’s ozone forming pollutants. Cars and trucks also emit particulate matter, air toxics, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. Exposure to elevated ozone levels can aggravate asthma and other pre-existing lung diseases. Asthma rates in New England are significantly higher than in the rest of the country, and all six of the New England states have childhood asthma rates above 10 percent. Greater Boston Breathes Better is a local initiative to promote strategies that significantly reduce the amount of pollution produced by motor vehicles and other mobile sources.