7/28/2019 Carpollution.org-Car Pollution Definition Effects and How It Can Be Solved

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/carpollutionorg-car-pollution-definition-effects-and-how-it-can-be-solved 1/2

carpollution.org http://carpollution.org/car-pollution-definition-effects-and-how-it-can-be-solved/

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

7/28/2019 Carpollution.org-Car Pollution Definition Effects and How It Can Be Solved

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/carpollutionorg-car-pollution-definition-effects-and-how-it-can-be-solved 2/2

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.