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Auto Emissions: The Facts
From WikiVerde
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What Are Auto Emissions?
Vehicle emissions or auto emissions are the waste products of combustion released into the atmosphere through the vehicle’s exhaust. These gaseous waste products are a toxic composition of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides and various dangerous contaminants such as volatile organic compounds and particles of matter, which degrade the quality of the air we breathe.
Evaporative auto emissions occur on hot days, when vehicle fuel evaporates, or when the heat of the engine heats the fuel. They also occur during refuelling. Most exhaust pipe emissions take place while the car is being started.
The Unpleasant Effects of Auto Emissions
Auto emissions can be very harmful to health, causing problems such as shortness of breath, poor immunity to sickness and damaged cognitive function. These noxious gases are particularly detrimental to the health of the young and the old, as well as those with cardiac or pulmonary problems. The air pollution caused by auto exhaust lead to global warming as well as global dimming.
The Components of Auto Exhaust
The three basic components of auto exhaust are hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. Smog also contains ground-level ozone, formed by the chemical reactions between hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides; and carbon dioxide, which helps contribute to global warning.
The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odourless, highly poisonous gas, often causing death. Its property of decreasing oxygen flow in the bloodstream causes damage to mental functions and vision, and makes it the most dangerous part of automobile emissions. Vulnerability to carbon monoxide poisoning is greater in anaemic patients, those with congestive cardiac problems, and smokers.
Facts About Nitrogen Oxides
Nitrogen oxides form another substantial part of auto emissions. It is these compounds that colour exhaust with their characteristic brownish shade. Nitrogen oxides are irritants to the eyes and lungs, and increase the indications of asthma and different kinds of allergies. They decrease the efficiency of the body’s immune system, making it more susceptible to respiratory and pulmonary problems.
In addition, nitrogen oxides are a part of the phenomenon of acid rain. They also decrease the quality of water.
Ground-level Ozone
Ground-level ozone is also a part of vehicle emissions. This gas is generated in greater quantities on hot, bright days. Its ill effects include coughing, respiratory tract irritation, breathing difficulty and chest pain. More seriously, tiny atoms of ground-level ozone enter the lungs and gradually accumulate, resulting in pulmonary infections and chronic lung disease and asthma.
Protect Yourself from Auto Exhaust Thousands of people are fatally affected every year by auto exhaust. For instance, the WHO studied auto emission fatalities in three European countries and found that a horrifying forty thousand people die every year from this cause in France, Switzerland and Austria.. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are fatigue or agitation, pale skin, acute headache, dizziness, and falling into a stupor or coma.
In case of poisoning, fresh air is the victim’s first requirement, followed by emergency medical treatment. Cardio-pulmonary or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation may be required.
Minimize the Effects of Auto Exhaust
There are several things you can do to reduce auto emission in the first place, besides things you can do to protect your health from damage by these poisonous vapours.
As far as reducing emission is concerned, you should regularly check your exhaust system for leaks and keep it well maintained by a professional mechanic. The choke, carburetors, fuel injection system, air filter, and PCV and fuel valves should be checked routinely, too.
Protect your health by making sure your car’s engine is never on in an enclosed space. Open garage doors, and shut entries to your house before you start your engine. This applies to parking with your engine running, as well – make sure the windows are open for proper ventilation. And while you’re driving, leave the windows open at least a little bit, even if your car’s air conditioner is on. In winter, ensure that snow has not blocked your exhaust outlets before you start your car.
What We Can Do
The fundamental reason for the excessive fumes that our vehicles emit is, of course, that there are too many of them. There are, however, steps each of us can take to reduce auto emissions. The first thing is: drive only when necessary. Don’t take your car down the street for an errand –walk instead; you’ll be doing your body a bit of good, too! Carpooling, using public transportation and combining several errands into a single trip can all help to reduce the emissions from our cars.
Keep your car well maintained. It not only cuts down on emissions, but also saves you money. Use energy conserving motor oil and make sure oil and filter changes are done regularly. Drive at a medium, steady speed whenever possible – the faster you drive, the more you’re polluting the air. And try not to keep your engine idling for more than 30 seconds – you’ll save gas and reduce exhaust.
Do have pollution inspections carried out as required and keep an eye on the fuel economy of your car – low economy means higher emissions. Your fuel economy could be poor if your tyres are not inflated properly.
Don’t fill your vehicle fuel tank completely, and do ensure that its cap is tightly replaced, because volatile organic compounds are released through the evaporation of fuel. Try and use only clean fuels such as oxygenated and reformulated gas and alternative fuels. Taking advantage of such eco-friendly options can reduce auto emissions by up to 17%.
Keep a watch on your exhaust fumes, too. A dark coloured exhaust means that there is too much petrol, while bluish exhaust indicates the presence of large amounts of hydrocarbons. When you’re buying a new car, consider vehicles that run on alternative fuels, and those with low emission and high fuel efficiency.
Innovative ides are being applied to the reduction of auto emissions. For example, gas pumps are to be fitted with nozzles designed to prevent the release of gas vapor. Testing is to be more comprehensive, and various control programs will be put into operation.
References:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mara_Bateman
http://www.lincolnev.com/nevcleaner.html
