Automobile Emissions and Health Related Illnesses
By Pamela Jordan Lee
Owner, Sir Max

Problem
In the United States emissions from 200 million cars and trucks account for half the nations air pollution according the Environmental Protection Agency. Auto emissions can cause headaches, flu like symptoms, chronic fatigue, chest pain and can contribute to lung cancer, emphysema, and various other respiratory and cardiovascular problems, and have been linked to low birth weight in infants.

Research/Background
The vehicles we use today are becoming more efficient yet our fuel consumption and pollution rate are up. The increase can be attributed to more Americans are driving and 50 percent more miles per year. Another reason is that auto makers are making cars bigger and pick up trucks, vans and sports utility vehicles are replacing smaller lighter passenger cars. The average vehicle in 2003 consumed more fuel than in 1988. 

Chemicals found in car exhaust
Carbon monoxide-is a colorless odorless deadly gas.  I t reduces the flow of oxygen in the bloodstream and can impair mental functions and visual perception.  Other symptoms include headaches, nausea, shortness of breath and dizziness.   In urban areas motor vehicles are responsible for as much as 90 percent of carbon monoxide in the air.

Hydrocarbons- react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight and elevate temperatures to the form ground level ozone. It can cause eye irritation, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath and can lead to permanent lung damage.

Nitrogen oxide – contributes to the function of ozone and contributes to the function of acid rain and water quality problems.

Benzene- causes cancer.

Carbon dioxide- traps the earth’s heat and causes global warming.

Other pathogens found in car exhaust are sulphur dioxide, formaldehyde and polycyclic hydrocarbons.

Solution/Recommendations:
- Buy fuel efficient automobiles
- Buy smaller cars, trucks and vans
- Drive fewer miles
- Car pool
- Keep vehicles in good running condition
- Reduce idling time
- Keep tires properly inflated
- Travel at moderate and steady speeds.
- Make sure that the gas cap fits securely
- Use public transportation
- Develop new power sources
- Improve efficiency of traffic
- Work at home

Here are other measures to control vehicle emissions and some may have already been introduced and they are the use of special nozzles at gas pumps to recover gasoline vapors before they escape into the air.

Improve inspections and maintenance programs for all vehicles with more comprehensive testing and various control measures, including mandatory programs that reduce the number of vehicle trips made by employee’s and encourage mass transit use.   

Analysis
1. Develop new power source. There are numerous proposed alternative fuels to be used in the auto industry and they include biodiesel, electric, ethanol, hybrid electric, hydrogen, methanol, natural gas, propane and solar fuel.  These fuels are more abundant than gasoline, they produce less pollution and the system they use harness energy more efficient. The downsides to making new fuel efficient vehicles are making them affordable, adaptable from current vehicles, and to maintain the standards of speed, range and performance. The most promising alternative vehicles are the electric, natural gas, and hybrid. But each has its limitations.  

2. Drive fewer miles. By carpooling or using public transportation for one year one person can keep an average of 9.1 pounds of hydrocarbons, 62.5 pounds of carbon monoxide and 4.9 pounds of nitrogen oxides from being discharged in the air. Combine trips such as the grocery store, bank, post office cleaners etc. All of these options allow the driver to spend less on gasoline also.

3. Keep vehicles in good condition. Poorly maintained or malfunctioning vehicles can release as much as 10 times the emission of a well maintained one.  Drivers should follow the manufacturer’s instructions on routine maintenance such as oil and filter changes. Fix air conditioning leaks as soon as they have been detected.  Pay attention to dashboard warning lights and have vehicle checked out as soon as possible.

4. Buy fuel efficient vehicles. Reverse the trend to larger vehicles.In the Toledo Blade newspaper, Ford Motor Company. announced that their hybrid SUV is the only American car maker to crack the top five fuel economy list for 2006 vehicles. Holding the top place is the manual transmission version of the hybrid from Honda Motor Company. The hybrid from Toyota took second place.