Just
a few facts. . .
There are many different pollutants found in car exhaust which
significantly harm the environment and its inhabitants.
Here are some of the most detrimental:
Hydrocarbons (2.8g/mile)
Emissions result when fuel molecules
in the engine to not burn, or burn only partially. Hydrocarbons
form ground level ozone, a major component of smog. This
pollutant irritates the eyes, damages the lugs, and aggravates
respiratory problems. Also, they are so toxic they may
potentially cause cancer. Hyrdocarbons are the most widespread
urban air pollutant.
Nitrogen Oxide (1.39g/mile)
Under the high temperature and
pressure conditions in the engine, Nitrogen and Oxygen molecules react
to form this toxic chemical. Nitrogen oxides also contribute to
the formation of the ozone, as well as smog. In addition,
they are major components of acid rain. These toxins are harmful
to humans when inhaled, and may affect the respiratory systems.
Carbon Monoxide (20.9g/mile)
Perhaps the most
well known of all toxins, Carbon Monoxide is the the
pollutant with the greatest emission rate of all. It occurs when
carbon in fuel is only partially oxidized rather than fully oxidized to
carbon dioxide. Carbon Monoxide is the most damaging to humans,
as it can reduce the flow of oxygen in the bloodstream, and is
particularly dangerous to persons with heart disease. It may also
affect respiratory, and nervous systems.
Carbon Dioxide (.916lb/mile)
Only recently has
the EPA recognized Carbon Dioxide as a pollution concern.
While it does not directly impair human health, it does greatly
affect the atmosphere in that it is considered a "green-house gas,,"
trapping the earth's heat and contributing to global warming.
Some good news...
Americans have responded to the problem in recent years. Here's
how we are helping to improve our environment.
Fact:
Since 1970,
Americans have cut the release of air pollutants by more than 50
million tons. To put this in perspective: If you were
to put that many tons into dump trucks lined bumper to bumper, the
would reach from Baltimore to Dallas in its longest route- around
the world.
Fact:
It would take
twenty of today's new cars to generate the same amount of pollutants as
one 1960's model car. Scientists believe that in another ten
years, it will take as many as thirty-three cars to produce the same
amount as the 1960 model.
Fact:
Scientists report
that one of the most toxic air pollutants, lead, is for the most part
gone from our air. Since the 1970's, the amount of lead present
in the air has declined by 96%.
Fact:
Compared to the
last ten years, many of America's largest cities are reporting
dramatically fewer days on which air pollution exceeds federal
standards.
Fact:
In the 1950's, air
pollution levels in California were worse than they are today in
Mexico City, where US standards for pollution are violated daily.