A Driver's Guide to Vehicle Emissions
According to the US Energy Information Administration, Americansdrive an average of three trillion miles each year. All those miles on the road account for more than twenty-eight percent of the energy used nationwide. Even the newest vehicles are responsible for the emission of toxic gases and pollutants. Though recent environmental laws required change to control or decrease the pollutants released by newer vehicles, the large number of vehicles in use on the highways everyday continue to contribute to the release of major pollutants contributing to ground-level ozone anywhere traffic congestion occurs. A basic understanding of air pollution terms is necessary in understanding the dangers of vehicle emissions. Few individuals realize that every time we drive a car, we are contributing to environmental pollution on a daily basis. Pollutants released by motor vehicles cause the dangerous smog levels that cripple major areas of the mid-Atlantic and northeastern states.
Motor Vehicle Pollutants and Health Risks
Three major vehicle pollutants pose serious health risks. The three main pollutants include nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide. Anyone living in a congested urban area under a dangerous air quality alert is familiar with the constant eye irritation, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing those hazards bring during even a short amount of time outdoors. Long-term exposure can lead to permanent lung impairment and cancer. Hydrocarbons and dangerous levels of nitrogen oxide combined with summertime high temperatures and sunlight form the ground-level ozone that makes breathing difficult. Another danger of nitrogen oxides is that they lead to water quality problems as acid rain is formed. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that is often a concern in faulty heating systems. As an odorless, colorless gas, it is especially dangerous when highly concentrated in congested urban traffic areas. Carbon monoxide builds up in the human body and interferes with oxygen flow within the bloodstream. High blood levels of carbon monoxide impair vision, reaction times, and visual perception. Untreated, a person may lose consciousness behind the wheel and be an endangerment to themselves or others. According to experts, ninety percent of carbon monoxide in urban traffic areas comes from motor vehicle emissions. In addition to carbon monoxide, vehicles also contribute to unnatural increases in carbon dioxide that some researchers believe contributes to global warming.
How Vehicle Pollutants Occur
Most vehicular pollutants are released from the exhaust during the fuel combustion process. Dangerous emissions may also occur through evaporation of fuel as the engine heats up. Certain situations and circumstances increase the risk of evaporation of fuel and increased pollution levels. High temperatures on hot sunny days dramatically increase the heat of a vehicle’s engine. Add increased temperatures and engines idling in congested traffic and you have a recipe guaranteed to add high numbers to the air pollution equation. Some pollutants are released during the refueling process as fuel vapors escape into the air due to incomplete sealing around a fuel nozzle.
How You Can Reduce Vehicle Emissions
As a driver, you can reduce vehicle emissions and save money while protecting the environment. A common habit many individuals have is “warming up” a car on a cold day. The majority of pollutants released from the exhaust of a vehicle occur during the first few minutes it takes a car to warm up. Engines warm up quicker when the vehicle is in use. Limit warm-up times, and combine trips whenever possible to reduce vehicle emissions released during cold starts. Further reducing the number of miles driven by carpooling or using public transportation also lowers vehicle emissions. A full public transport bus takes fifty-eight vehicles off the road. As little as a ten percent increase in the use of public transport can save the nation 135 million gallons of fuel each year. Simply leaving one personal vehicle at home for the year can prevent over nine pounds of hydrocarbons, almost five pounds of nitrogen oxides, and over sixty-two pounds of carbon monoxide from being released into the air during that time.
Proper car maintenance and attention to traveling speeds can reduce the release of vehicle emissions and save money at the gas pump. Higher speeds use more fuel and release greater levels of pollutants into the air. Travel at moderate speeds and avoid idling whenever possible. If you will be idling more than a minute, you will use less gas restarting your engine than sitting in a traffic jam idling for extended periods. Follow your car owner’s manual for a maintenance schedule. Keeping your vehicle in good running order saves time and money while reducing your contribution to air pollution. A poorly maintained vehicle releases ten times more poisonous emissions than a car that is in good running condition. Look for oil labeled Energy Conserving II (ECII) for one that will conserve energy and reduce engine emissions.
For both personal and environmental safety, do not tamper with any pollution controls or fuel regulating mechanisms on your car’s engine or exhaust system. By remaining aware of changes in fuel economy or tire pressure, you can take steps to reduce fuel emissions as the release of emissions increases as miles per gallon decreases. Ideally, you will not notice car exhaust, if there is an obvious color such as black or blue vapors released, dangerous pollutants are being released into the environment. Pay attention to engine warning lights and any fluid leaks and have them repaired or investigated as soon as possible. Remember, emissions may be released during the fueling process. Reduce this risk by not squeezing to top off the tank. Hold the nozzle of the fuel hose to the gas tank to seal as thoroughly as possible during the fueling process and be sure the gas cap fits properly.
How You Can Save Money while Reducing Fuel Emissions in the Future
According to the Federal Highway Administration, the average cost to operate a vehicle is approximately twenty-nine cents per mile. Carpooling or using public transportation can save you up to three thousand dollars per year on gas, insurance, parking, and vehicle maintenance. Furthermore, by using public transportation or carpooling, you can save an estimated twelve hundred dollars in wasted time and fuel costs.
New regulations for low-emission cars are already mandated. Look for cars that are able to run on alternate fuel sources. Alternate fuels, also known as clean fuels, reduce fuel emissions that contribute to ground level ozone and dangerous air and water quality by as much as seventeen percent. Clean fuels include oxygenated gasoline, reformulated gasoline, and alternate fuel sources. In addition to looking for a green vehicle, that uses a clean alternate fuel source, check fuel efficiency. New labeling effective May 2013 will make it easier to find economy and environmental ratings on all new cars. Remember, the greater the fuel efficiency, the less pollution factors. Specially designed “California cars” (low emissions) will become more widely available and be equipped with additional emissions control equipment. If you buy a used vehicle, remember older cars are usually less efficient and contribute to pollution through higher emission levels. If you are in Arizona make sure you find reputable Phoenix used car dealers that will work with you to find a low emissions car. Before buying an older model car, be sure a qualified mechanic checks all pollution control systems and follow a close maintenance schedule.
What Else is being done to Reduce Vehicle Pollution?
Specially designed cars and the use of reformulated fuel will be required in highly congested areas where the federal standards regulating safe levels of carbon monoxide are not met. Oxygenated fuel contains an average of 2.7 percent oxygen. It is sold during winter months in areas where there are high levels of carbon monoxide. More vehicles are being equipped to run on alternate fuel sources including ethanol, methanol, electricity, and naturally compressed gas. These efficient clean fuels greatly reduce vehicle emissions. Other measures in the not so distant future include installing specially designed nozzles on gas pumps. These newly designed nozzles will trap fuel vapors before they go into the air to contribute to ozone problems. Other plans under consideration include improved inspection and maintenance programs, as well as various transportation designs and schedules to control traffic in high-risk areas. Several agencies even now recommend mandating regulations controlling the number of trips employees make using personal vehicles. Instead, they may soon be required to use public transportation in some highly congested areas.
None of the proposed changes will come easy or without protest by various groups and individuals. Wither efforts to control air quality by decreasing vehicle emissions is done by corporations, individual motorists, or federal regulations, every effort must be made to decrease vehicle emission pollution to safeguard our health and the health of future generations.
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