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Car Pollution – Definition, Effects and how it can be solved
The introduction o f steamed engine automobiles in the 1700s def initely paved way to greater things.
Because of rapid urbanizat ion, having a car these days becomes a necessity due to the convenience itbrings, especially in terms of transportat ion. While the car has made our lives easier, something has to
suf f er due to its harmf ul emissions and that is our environment.
What is Car Pollution?
When you use a car or any form of vehicle, the f uel in it will be burned by the car engines thereby producing
dif f erent kinds o f gases being emitted such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide – which are the
primary pollutants caused by cars – nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbon. Apart f rom these gases, soo t, sulfur
dioxide, benzene and f ormaldehyde are also produced. These emissions are toxic substances that
contribute to damages that are harmf ul to the environment, thus resulting to pollution.
Car Pollution Statistics
Most o f the countries in the Middle East account f or the highest pollution rates in the world. Pakistan is the
third most polluted countries in the world and one of the countries with the highest levels of air pollution
caused by cars with 11,000 vehicles per hour on t he roads. The United Arab Emirates is also one o f the
most polluted countries in the world where 42% of the air pollution comes f rom cars. In Saudi Arabia,
vehicle exhaust is responsible for 50% o f hydrocarbon po llution in the air. Further, 80% of the air pollution
in Iran is caused by 3.5 million cars in Tehran alone.
In African countries, Senegal has one of the highest levels of car exhaust po llution in the world. 85% of the
cars are o ld, ranging f rom 15-20 years where 40% have diesel engines. Also, in Cairo, Egypt alone which
has 2.1 million vehicles as o f 2007, 300,000 mot orbikes release 150,000 tons of pollut ion every year. In
addition, 95% of the two-st roke motorbikes emit hydrocarbons equivalent t o emiss ions of f rom 10-15
gasoline-operated cars.
Car Pollution Eff ects
Cars and the environment have an intertwined relationship. If lef t unsolved, not only will it f urther damage
the environment but also, it can aggravate and is already causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems
among the people today due to the toxic substances released in the air. Besides lung cancer and heart
conditions, cars and asthma are also interrelated. According to a st udy, children who live close to busy
roads are 83% more likely to suf f er f rom asthma. Further, one out of seven children in the United Kingdom
suf f ers f rom asthma due to traf f ic pollution. Even worse, car pollution can be held accountable for birth
defects wherein mothers who live in highly polluted areas have higher chances o f developing congenital
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neural tube defects o r premature births.
Aside f rom its harmful ef f ects o n humans, car pollutio n also af f ects the environment. The gases coming
out f rom cars contribute to global warming. It can also be deposited on the soil and water surf aces, thus
entering the foo d chain. As a result, these pollutants af f ect the reproductive, respiratory, immune and
neurological systems o f the animals. Another harmf ul eff ect on the environment is that nitrogen oxide and
sulf ur oxide f rom automobiles are major contributo rs to acid rain, which in eff ect changes the pH level of
the water and so ils t hat can harm the organisms.
Apart f rom this, vehicle emissions can af f ect the ozone layer when chlorine or bro mine-heavy substances
are being released. The ozone layer helps protect the Earth f rom the sun’s ultraviolet rays and through
these po llutants, ozone layer can be depleted thereby reducing protection against the sun.
Car Pollution Solutions
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency,
more t han half of the air pollution is primarily caused by
automobiles .Cars remain to be a signif icant cont ributor to
air pollution and unless we don’t do something about it ,
pollution will continually increase. Now we ask, how to
reduce car pollution?
If possible, dispose old cars that are more than 15 years. A
1985 car emits approximately 38 times more carbon
monoxide than a car manufactured in 2001.
Also, there are hybrid o r elect rical cars that are available in
the market today which you can avail of . But if you f ind it
costly, then the important thing is t o maintain the vehicle
by changing its oil and tuning in the engine every so of ten
or changing its t ires. With proper maintenance, fuel ef f iciency will increase at the same time, reducing fuelenergy consumption and pollution.
Also, drive caut iously and as much as po ss ible, avoid f ast accelerat ion, changing speed, sudden braking or
any forms o f aggressive driving. Not only is it dangerous, you can even save 5-33% on gas mileage, thus
requiring less gas and limiting the car’s emiss ions.
Apart f rom these, opt to ride a bike o r t rain o r if you only need to go to a short dist ance, take a walk. Not
only will you help reduce the pollutants, but also this could be a start o f a healthier lif estyle.