Cars, Trucks, & Air Pollution

Transportation is the largest single source of air pollution in the United States. It causes over half of the carbon monoxide, over a third of the nitrogen oxides, and almost a quarter of the hydrocarbons in our atmosphere in 2006. With the number of vehicles on the road and the number of vehicle miles traveled escalating rapidly, we are on the fast lane to smoggy skies and dirty air.

The Ingredients of Air Pollution

Air pollution is associated with the full life-cycle of cars and trucks. This includes air pollution emitted during vehicle operation, refueling, manufacturing, and disposal. Additional emissions are associated with the refining and distribution of vehicle fuel. Motor vehicles cause both primary and secondary pollution. Primary pollution is emitted directly into the atmosphere; secondary pollution results from chemical reactions between pollutants in the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases. Motor vehicles also emit pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, that contribute to global climate change. The transportation sector currently accounts for over a quarter of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

Air Pollution from Cars

Air pollution caused by cars is one of the more challenging forces that air pollution environmentalists are dealing with. Short of mandating restrictions on driving, it seems that the chronic encouragement for commuters and travelers to find alternative forms of transportation lands on deaf ears. Air pollution from cars is still one of the greatest contributors to the problem.

The air pollution from cars is caused, in significant part, by fuel emissions. This is a very familiar term although few of us can tell out friends and neighbors what it means. A fuel emission is a particle of the same fuel that you put into your car when you hit the petrol station.

This fuel particle has gone through the combustion process without burning in its entirety. Releasing this particle into the air contributes to the air pollution caused by cars.

These fuel emissions are known as hydrocarbons, which have a molecular makeup that entices them to react with sunlight and nitrous oxides. When this reaction happens, the molecule actually alters to form what is known as ground level smog. Ground level smog contributes to the air pollution caused by cars that irritate respiratory symptoms, cause cancers, and creates eye irritation.

Nitrous oxides contribute to more air pollution from cars. The nitrogen and the oxygen atoms that are found within the fuel is compounded by the high temperatures that engines run, causing a smashing of atoms that turn the individual atoms into what we know as nitrous oxides. This is one serious cause of acid rain and other air pollution problems.

Over the years, car manufacturers have reduced the number of nitrous oxide atoms are released, but cars that are equipped with catalytic converters are responsible for more than half of the air pollution caused nitrous oxide released from cars. These are the same gases that cause just under 8% of global warming.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is something that most of us have heard of, and we even protect ourselves inside our own homes from the deadly, poisonous, odorless gas. Yet the family car contributes to 2/3 of the world’s carbon monoxide gases in the atmosphere.

Carbon cells smash with oxygen cells to become carbon dioxide when cars are not well tuned, when the air to fuel ratio when turning the ignition is simply low, and in higher altitudes. Oxygen is a necessary component of combustion, which is needed for gasoline and diesel to power our vehicles. In many urban areas, the carbon monoxide air pollution from cars can reach over 90%.

Carbon dioxide is released during gas combustion, which is one of the continuing factors in the fight against global warming. Carbon dioxide is a trapping gas, which means that it lingers in the upper atmosphere and traps the planet’s heat. This naturally leads to more problems with the planet’s health.

Air pollution caused by cars is a serious problem, and there are many plans that may or may not come to fruition over the next few years. Hybrid cars a fantastic contributor to the reduction of combustion fuel gases that linger in the atmosphere, but their higher price and their lack of perceived power reduces interest from the consumer. The bicycle is the best alternative of all, but there are few who are willing to deal with variances in weather and temperature to bike to work and the inconvenience of riding a bike to the store presents more consumer resistance.

There are not many easy answers that have been produced in light of the information that the one billion cars that are driven in the United States are rapidly producing a worldwide phenomenon of air pollution from cars. With air pollution on the rise, there is an increased need for air pollution control equipment to be used.

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the major pollutants in the atmosphere. Major sources of CO2 are fossil fuels burning and deforestation. "The concentrations of CO2 in the air

around 1860 before the effects of industrialization were felt, is assumed to have been about 290 parts per million (ppm). In the hundred years and more since then, the concentration has increased by about 30 to 35 ppm that is by 10 percent". (Breuer 67) Industrial countries account for 65% of CO2 emissions with the United States and Soviet Union responsible for 50%. Less developed countries (LDCs), with 80% of the world's people, are responsible for 35% of CO2 emissions but may contribute 50% by 2020. "Carbon dioxide emissions are increasing by 4% a year". (Miller 450)

In 1975, 18 thousand million tons of carbon dioxide (equivalent to 5 thousand million tons of carbon) were released into the atmosphere, but the atmosphere showed an increase of only 8 billion tons (equivalent to 2.2 billion tons of carbon". (Breuer 70) The ocean waters contain about sixty times more CO2 than the atmosphere. If the equilibrium is disturbed by externally increasing the concentration of CO2 in the air, then the oceans would absorb more and more CO2.  If the oceans can no longer keep pace, then more CO2 will remain into the atmosphere. As water warms, its ability to absorb CO2 is reduced.

CO2 is a good transmitter of sunlight, but partially restricts infrared radiation going back from the earth into space. This produces the so-called greenhouse effect that prevents a drastic cooling of the Earth during the night. Increasing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere reinforces this effect and is expected to result in a warming of the Earth's surface. Currently carbon dioxide is responsible for 57% of the global warming trend. Nitrogen oxides contribute most of the atmospheric contaminants.

Air Pollution Articles and Truth

There are many air pollution articles that can help everyone understand the dire situation that we are really in. There are pollution articles that speculate about possible solutions and potential difficulties with finding these solutions.

However, many air pollution articles miss the mark when it comes to speaking the truth. Air is not solely located over the country of questions.

Australia, the United States, and China are some of the biggest culprits when it comes to sending out pollutants into the air. This air does not stay stagnant over the country of the pollutants.

Air travels, and in fact it travels all over the world. This doesn’t mean that those in New Zealand should await the passing cloud of smog to pass over their mountains. It means that when we damage our own atmosphere we damage the world’s atmosphere.

There are many different causes and potential solutions when it comes to air pollution, and many air pollution articles address one specific aspect of the issue.

Thus, in order to be well informed, one must read multiple articles on many different angles of the problem. Some people solely blame the governments of many of these countries for not implementing better regulations.

Other people blame society for procreating too quickly without taking in consideration for the potential effects on our natural resources and the need for increased resources. Other still blame the average citizen for being lazy, uninformed, or even complacent about the issue.

The air pollution problem is the result of many different factors and the solution lies in addressing every single aspect and devising realistic solutions for each aspect.

Our daily lives have become oriented to the many aspects that help cause air pollution. Congested traffic areas are noticeably polluted, especially to those who suffer from COPD or asthma.

Do we mandate that cars and trucks can only be driven during certain hours of the day, or so many days per week? Of course not. People have to show up to work on time and on a regular basis in order to keep our economy afloat.

Critics believe that no matter how many condemning air pollution articles we write or how many lobbyists we place in Washington, air pollution will not become number one on the agenda until residents can not go outside without feeling the effects. We already have ozone alerts for the ill, it isn’t a stretch to believe that we will soon have air pollution alerts that include the safety factors of going outside.

This might actually cause the issue of air pollution to be addressed in a reasonable and timely manner. While air pollution articles are aimed at enlightening and motivating, the future of our breathable air is very much at risk. We need some swift action now in order to prevent making our children play inside on a beautiful sunny day because they won’t be able to breath well if they go outside.

We need to act before we have to start sending newborns home in protective bubbles and keeping them inside for the first eighteen months of their lives. These potentials exist if we don’t start doing more than writing about the problems with the air that we breathe.

If we don’t start taking the hard line on this issue, our world will become an indoor world and those of us who want to play outside will have to invest in protective air sources.

How does air pollution affect us?

Exposure to low levels of pollutants such as ozone, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and particulates, irritates eyes and causes inflammation of the respiratory tract. Evidence exists that many air pollutants also suppress the immune system, increasing

susceptibility to infection. In addition, evidence continues to accumulate indicating that exposure to air pollution during respiratory illnesses may result in people developing chronic respiratory diseases, such as emphysema and bronchitis as they get older. Other health problems that can result from long-term exposure to toxic air-pollutants are cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, respiratory infections, and cardiovascular disease.Air pollution can also cause acidification of lakes and soils and impacts on crop productivity, forest growth, and biodiversity. Some research indicates that the ozone and sulphur dioxide is reducing crop yields. The potential for crop losses in Asia has been indicated by a study in Pakistan where a 40 per cent reduction in rice yields was linked to the presence of pollutants in the air.

Air Pollution Solutions

Air pollution solutions pose quite an interesting debate among environmentalists and entrepreneurs. The greatest causes of air pollution are the byproducts of progress. The industrial impacts on air pollution are compound and multifaceted.

In order to completely stop the production of all manufactured materials, stop the use of cars, air conditioners, heat sources, and basically deconstruct the basic staples of our society. This is not exactly practical, so we have to look at other air pollution solutions that can put a serious dent on our current situation.

Governmental plans to help cut down on air pollution are slow to take effect. Many industrial businesses have (under the current legislation) the next 50 years to cut down on their emissions by 80%. A lot of damage can be done in 50 years. Yet the immediate changes would be a very high financial burden on most companies and simply can not be completed without the introduction of environmentally friendly alternatives. These alternatives are well known but are not widely available.

Fuels derived from alternative resources could cut down on our pollution statistics and become a cornerstone of air pollution solutions. Wind energy, landfill gas energy, and other green methods of powering many of our industrial businesses are a good start, but the practical application is still years away at our current rate of progress.

We cannot force people to buy new cars. However, several documentaries have shown that it was the United States car companies and the oil companies that shot down the production and use of cars that run solely on electricity. The production of electric cars that were highly effective and family friendly was underway.

In fact, several cities in California were starting the strategic implementation of charging stations when the project was interrupted. The project was then scrapped and the remaining cars were either shipped overseas for use or destroyed. A society that doesn’t use oil or petrol for their daily commute is a society that is no longer dependant on the oil resources of other countries. Interesting.

Cars are not just a major contributor to the air pollution problems and are a major oil dependency culprit in the US. Why the destruction of the electric car was kept so secret is really not a mystery. How far we could have come with the acceptance of this one invention. For more information on this topic, one should watch the well documented and the very accurate documentary, Who Killed the Electric Car?

Public education only goes so far when the government does not help the educated follow through on ecological choices. While our basic economy requires a standard of status quo for the development of our own resources, we still need to look harder at air pollution solutions that address our problems now rather than in 50 years.

Recycling communities need to become more aware of what happens to their recyclables. Many cities, including Norfolk, VA and the three major cities of California, burn the recyclables rather than recycling in the usual fashion. Those cities that participate fully in recycling efforts are still releasing gases into the atmosphere that are destroying the ozone.

The everyday people of many communities are coming together to improve our options for air pollution solutions. Hybrid cars, choosing fabric grocery bags over plastics or paper, and finding ways to reuse and recycle one’s own products are helping too cut down on the overload of air pollutants we are experience.

Placing ecological concerns higher on the list of priorities at the polls will help as well. Right now we have sent a very strong message to Washington that the economy and war are our top priorities.

Green jobs have the ability to offer more economic stability while addressing some of the air pollution solutions that are available to us.

We cannot ignore the effects of deforestation and our need to get out into the world and plant trees. While individuals can take on tree planting projects of their own, which is very helpful, companies that destroy trees need to be forced to replace what they destroy. It won’t do us much good to start limiting the pollutants that enter the air while we continue to deplete the world of it main source of breathable oxygen.

Moreover, alternative heating and cooling methods, the replacement of old furnaces and air conditioners, and finding ways around driving to the corner store are all imperative to finding air pollution solutions.

It’s going to take the government and the individuals working together with the plan of immediate results as the primary goal. By now the industrial companies should see the writing on the wall and should be taking the initiative to start curbing their own emissions before the government starts a crackdown on emissions.

Most industrial companies only do what they are forced to do by regulation. It’s a rather sad state of affairs that is forcing the solution into the hands of a government over

loaded by too many issues to deal with. We need to only build green cars, green companies, and green industries in order to start dealing realistically with the potential air pollution solutions.

Reducing Air Pollution

Is reducing air pollution without government intervention even a possibility in the United States? Most people associate air pollution problems with large industries and not with their personal activities or lifestyle.

However, the pollution that each household releases into the air is significant enough that if each home reduced their air pollution contribution be even 50% there would be a high impact on the health of the atmosphere. Reducing air pollution is a personal responsibility rather than just a governmental project.

It should be said that government policies regarding large industries still require even more regulation if we want to save the planet. However, it is not the sole responsibility of the government to take care of reducing air pollution. Anyone and everyone can act responsibly. Sometimes, it is just a function of letting the public know how their activities impact the environment.

While most of us realize that cars, industry, and even power boating has an impact of the quality and condition of the air, few of us consider that most of our air pollution contribution is based in our consumerism. Any given product has to undergo a process of consumerism.

It is first manufactured, packed, and then shipped to the appropriate destination. Following its time on the shelves of a store it is then purchased, driven home, and used. Its last contribution comes in the form of its waste. This profile is then multiplied the number of products available times the number of people who buy and use them.

Sometimes just doing simple things can help toward reducing air pollution, we already know that particulate air pollution is a direct cause of air pollution, each day millions of people worldwide suffer health conditions caused by not reducing air pollution.

If consumers were apt to pick up locally produced goods, buy alternative products, and stray from products which require a great deal of processing as a waste product we could all have a significant impact on the air pollution issues surrounding products.

Some companies have recognized the value in creating smaller, more concentrated materials so that the production and waste pollution can be reduced.

For instance, a cleaning product that comes in a 2 ounce tube but offers the full sized cleaning bottle can reduce air pollution once the consumer gets in the habit of filling a

reusable bottle instead of buying a brand new one every two months. The reduction on waste, which releases toxins into the air even upon recycling, can really add up. If all consumers headed in this direction the effects would be accumulative and powerful.

If everyone chose all of their products based on the idea of reducing waste, including recyclables not only would manufacturers respond but we would find we experienced the added benefits of saving money as concentrated products often last longer than regular products.

Reducing air pollution isn’t an overnight fix. The road to the current level of damage to the atmosphere has been a long one and it will take some time to change the buying habits, the production habits, and even the driving habits of an entire country.

Until such time comes it is important to remember that every effort toward reducing air pollution is a valuable and much needed effort. In order to start curbing the air pollution problems of today we need everyone to participate. Choosing to participate now rather than later can only be beneficial.  

What can we do?

Encourage people to leave their car at home and walk or ride a bicycle to travel short distances.Develop efficient public transport systems to help reduce dependence on private cars.Provide Government subsidies to encourage the introduction of petrol with low sulphur and no lead.Focus on regional inter-Governmental cooperation. Pollutants can be carried from one country to another, so individual countries cannot solve the associated problems alone. Currently, regional/sub-regional agreements on air pollution either do not exist or are at initial stages.Promote energy efficiency and conservation. Energy efficiency means using technology to accomplish tasks with less energy. Energy conservation focuses on cutting down on wasteful energy consuming activities. These approaches are not only cost effective ways of reducing harmful emissions from industries and vehicles, but they also give us time to search for safer and cheaper alternative energy sources.Use smaller, more efficient cars as they consume less fuel and so produce fewer emissions.Design cars so that combustion temperatures are lower and less nitrogen oxide is formed. Use lighter materials and better designed cars. Currently available technology already makes it possible for cars to have fuel efficiencies of 60-65 miles per gallon.Find better alternative fuels, as petroleum reserves will not last for ever. Alcohol, solar power, electricity and liquid hydrogen are some of the options that car manufacturers

have investigated in the search for alternative fuels. Although cars that can use these fuels have already been designed or are currently being worked on, the cost and accessibility of fuel remains a problem. All alternative fuels will not necessary be environmentally friendly. For instance, if the electricity for electricity-powered cars is produced by coal-fired power plants, the eventual volume of emissions will be higher than for conventionally fuelled cars. Fit smoke-stacks with electrostatic precipitators, fabric filters, scrubbers, or other technologies to remove particulate matter.Use careful land-excavating methods to control particulates. For example, water can be sprinkled on dry soil that is being moved during road construction.Remove sulphur dioxide from fuel by switching to a low-sulphur fuel such as natural gas or even to a non-fossil source such as solar energy.Modify furnaces and engines to provide more complete combustion. This helps control the production of both carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.

What Can I do? Drive Less  Both local and global pollution would be reduced if each car-driving person pledged to use their car 30% less starting immediately. This is a responsible, individual contribution to a global problem. At least 30% of vehicle use is optional - either recreational or lazy driving when walking, cycling or public transit would be a better choice.

Cities can reduce vehicular traffic by more than 30% over the next 3 to 5 years by improving public transportation. Commuter trains are a model of urban access for suburban residents who drive their cars short distances, park in terminal lots and ride the train into town.  Cities can create car free zones and develop park-like corridors that would allow movement through the city by walking, cycling and limited use of small, light electric vehicles in vehicle corridors specially designed to be safe and efficient.

The rising cost of crude oil in 2008 quickly altered driving habits and big auto companies closed plants that produced SUVs and pickup trucks. If you are interested in longer term human survival, then high cost oil is a real benefit. With or without higher fuel prices, each person can drive less and resist the temptation to buy larger, heavier cars, trucks and sports vehicles. If you really need a 4x4 to drive off-roads in wilderness settings, you need a rugged clunker that's already got scratches, dents and mud on the tires. Carry a shovel, axe, chain saw, and a come-along in the back. If you can afford it, add a heavy duty winch up front. Stay off city streets and highways.  See Disease Effects, Car Exhaust

Solutions: Reduce Air Pollution by changing the design and use of motor vehicles

The use of cars must be re-defined. Car use has to be considered a privilege, not a right. The cost of environmental damage and reclamation has to be added to the cost of owning and operating a car. Vehicle use should no longer be subsidized.

Reduce number of Vehicles - Urban areas need to set vehicular quotas and issue permits to limit the number of vehicles to control regional traffic congestion and air pollution.

Small hybrid or 100% electric cars are desirable, but make their occupants specially vulnerable when they collide with much larger vehicles. A sane city would separate small, efficient passenger vehicles from buses and trucks.

Improve efficiency of vehicles - reverse the trend to larger vehicles; engineering solutions to emissions of combustion engines. Flex fuel and hybrid cars are a step in the right direction but in small numbers will not have a significant impact on air pollution.

Reduced vehicle use and traffic reform can be a bigger and more immediate remedy for urban air pollution. Improved efficiency of traffic is important. Examples are: dedicated bus lanes and  priority for car-pools and vehicles with 3 or more passengers. Traffic can be scheduled to optimize road usage; e.g. commercial traffic at night; large companies can stagger working hours and decentralize administrative operations. Commuting long distances in cars to work needs to be phased out. Single passenger commuting to work should be strongly discouraged.

Hybrid vehicle

A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle.[1] The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.

Hybrid electric-petroleum vehicles

When the term hybrid vehicle is used, it most often refers to a Hybrid electric vehicle. These encompass such vehicles as the AHS2 (Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Silverado, Cadillac Escalade, and the Saturn Vue), Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid Lexus RX 400h and 450h and others. A petroleum-electric hybrid most commonly uses internal combustion engines (generally gasoline or Diesel engines, powered by a variety of fuels) and electric batteries to power electric motors. There are many types of petroleum-electric hybrid drivetrains, from Full hybrid to Mild hybrid, which offer varying advantages and disadvantages.[19]

Ferdinand Porsche in 1900 developed the first gasoline-electric series-hybrid automobile in the world, setting speed records using two motor-in-wheel-hub arrangements with a combustion generator set providing the electric power. While liquid fuel/electric hybrids date back to the late 19th century, the braking regenerative hybrid was invented by David Arthurs, an electrical engineer from Springdale, Arkansas in 1978–79. His home-converted Opel GT was reported to return as much as 75MPG with plans still sold to this original design, and the "Mother Earth News" modified version on their website. [20]

The plug-in-electric-vehicle (PEV) is becoming more and more common. It has the range needed in locations where there are wide gaps with no services. The batteries can be plugged in to house (mains) electricity for charging, as well being charged while the engine is running.

Hybrid vehicle emissions

Hybrid vehicle emissions today are getting close to or even lower than the recommended level set by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The recommended levels they suggest for a typical passenger vehicle should be equated to 5.5 metric tons of carbon dioxide. The three most popular hybrid vehicles, Honda Civic, Honda Insight and Toyota Prius, set the standards even higher by producing 4.1, 3.5, and 3.5 tons showing a major improvement in carbon dioxide emissions. Hybrid vehicles can reduce air emissions of smog-forming pollutants by up to 90% and cut carbon dioxide emissions in half.[31]

Electric car

Electric cars have the potential of significantly reducing city pollution by having zero tail pipe emissions.[1][2][3] Vehicle greenhouse gas savings depend on how the electricity is generated. With the current U.S. energy mix, using an electric car would result in a 30% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.[4][5][6][7] Given the current energy mixes in other countries, it has been predicted that such emissions would decrease by 40% in the UK, [8]

19% in China,[9] and as little as 1% in Germany.[10][11]

Electric cars are expected to have a major impact in the auto industry [12][13] given advantages in city pollution, less dependence on oil, and expected rise in gasoline prices.[14][15][16] World governments are pledging billions to fund development of electric vehicles and their components. The U.S. has pledged US$2.4 billion in federal grants for electric cars and batteries.[17] China has announced it will provide US$15 billion to initiate an electric car industry.

Price

Electric cars are generally more expensive than gasoline cars. The primary reason is the high cost of car batteries. US and British car buyers seem to be unwilling to pay more for an electric car.[35][36] This prohibits the mass transition from gasoline cars to electric cars. A survey taken by Nielsen for the Financial Times has shown that 65 percent of Americans and 76 percent of Britons are not willing pay more for an electric car above the price of a gasoline car.[37] also a report by J.D. Power and Associates claims that about 50 percent of U.S. car buyers are not even willing to spent more than US$5,000 on a green vehicle above the price of a petrol car despite their concern about the environment.[38]

The Nissan LEAF, will be the most affordable five door family electric car at a price of US$32,780 going down to US$25,280 after the U.S. federal tax rebate of US$7,500, going further down to US$20,280 after the US$5,000 California tax rebate.

Electricity vs. Fuel"Fuel" cost comparison: the Tesla Roadster sport car's plug-to-wheel energy use is 280 W·h/mi. In Northern California, the local electric utility company PG&E says that "The E-9 rate is mandatory for those customers that are currently on a residential electric rate and who plan on refueling an EV on their premises." [47] Combining these two facts implies that driving a Tesla Roadster 40 miles (64 km) a day would use 11.2 kW·h of electricity costing between US$0.56 and US$3.18 depending on the time of day chosen for recharging.[47] For comparison, driving an internal combustion engine-powered car the same 40 miles (64 km), at a mileage of 25 miles per US gallon (9.4 L/100 km; 30 mpg-imp), would use 1.6 US gallons (6.1 l; 1.3 imp gal) of fuel and, at a cost of US$3 per 1 US gallon (3.8 l; 0.83 imp gal), would cost US$4.80.

The Tesla Roadster uses about 17.4 kW·h/100 km (0.63 MJ/km; 0.280 kW·h/mi),[48] the EV1 used about 11 kW·h/100 km (0.40 MJ/km; 0.18 kW·h/mi).[49]