Car pollutants cause immediate and long-term effects on the environment. Car exhausts emit a wide range of gases and solid matter, causing global warming, acid rain, and harming the environment and human health. Engine noise and fuel spills also cause pollution. Cars, trucks and other forms of transportation are the single largest contributor to air pollution in the United States, but car owners can reduce their vehicle’s effects on the environment.
Research says:
- The findings showed the pollution inside the cars contained twice the amount of chemicals.
- Chemicals which can cause oxidative stress, thought to be involved in the development of many diseases.
- In addition, respiratory and heart disease, cancer and some types of neuro-degenerative diseases.
- If you thought driving a car on a heavily polluted road may be safe, think twice.
- According to a new study, car cabins contain extremely high levels of some harmful particulate matter.
- Furthermore, twice the amount previously thought.
- Michael Bergi who is the professor at the Duke University in North Carolina.
- He said,We found that people are likely getting a double whammy of exposure.
- In terms of health during rush-hour commutes.
- If these chemicals are as bad for people as many researchers believe.
- Then commuters should seriously be rethinking their driving habits.
Journal Atmospheric Environment:
- The researchers said, in the paper published in the journal Atmospheric Environment.
- The pollutants can cause the body to produce chemicals to deal with the reactive oxygen.
- While particulate matter also causes the same response.
- In combination, the exposure triggers an overreaction that can be destructive to healthy cells and DNA.
- Researchers from strapped specially designed sampling devices.
- Sampling devices that draws in air at a similar rate to human lungs.
- Furthermore,into the passenger seats of cars of more than 30 different cars.
- As they completed more than 60 rush hour commutes in downtown Atlanta.
- To explore what drivers are actually exposed to during rush hour.
Heidi Vreeland:
- Heidi Vreeland, doctoral student at the Duke University also explained.
- The devices detected up to twice as much particulate matter as the roadside sensors.
- It is because, “the chemical composition of exhaust changes very quickly, even in the space of just a few feet”,
- Vreeland also added,And morning sun heats the roadways.
- Heat which causes an updraft that brings more pollution higher into the air.