Cars' Pollution: My Story Of Harm And Hurt

Cars are a major contributor to air pollution, which has been linked to asthma, heart disease, birth defects, eye irritation, and even cancer. Vehicle emissions are the number one source of air pollution in many areas, and cars produce about one-third of all US air pollution. This includes smog, carbon monoxide, and other toxins that are especially harmful as they are emitted at street level, where humans can breathe them directly into their lungs. In addition, the production and disposal of cars have environmental impacts, and the building of roads to support them contributes to urban sprawl and emissions. With cars and automobility having killed 60-80 million people since their invention, it is clear that car pollution has detrimental effects on both human health and the environment.

The health consequences of car pollution

Cars have been a major contributor to environmental harm and ill health since their invention. They have been the cause of 60-80 million deaths and have injured at least 2 billion people. They are the biggest source of air pollution in the US, producing about one-third of the country's air pollution.

The smog, carbon monoxide, and other toxins emitted by vehicles are particularly harmful because they are released at street level, where humans can breathe them directly into their lungs. This makes auto emissions an even more immediate health concern than toxins emitted by industrial smokestacks.

Vehicle emissions have been linked to a range of health issues, including respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues, neurological damage, reproductive issues, immune system damage, and even mental illness. They increase the risk of asthma, heart and lung disease, and cancer, especially in children and those who live near busy roads or commute long distances. Living near busy roads has also been linked to developmental delays in children and disorders during pregnancy.

The rise in SUVs has been a significant part of the problem. Globally, SUVs accounted for over 20% of the increase in energy-related CO2 emissions in 2023. If SUVs were a country, they would be the fifth-largest contributor to global CO2 emissions. Moving away from gasoline-powered vehicles and towards cleaner alternatives is critical to reducing emissions and mitigating the health consequences of car pollution.

How car pollution affects people of colour disproportionately

Cars and automobility have killed 60–80 million people since their invention, and currently, one in every 34 deaths is caused by it. Vehicles are America's biggest air quality compromisers, producing about one-third of all US air pollution. The smog, carbon monoxide, and other toxins emitted by vehicles are especially harmful as they are released at street level, where humans directly breathe in the polluted air.

Vehicle emissions are a major source of benzene, a carcinogen linked to leukemia, blood disorders, and infertility. They increase the risks of asthma, heart and lung disease, dementia, and cancer, especially in children and those who live near busy roads or commute long distances. Living near busy roads has also been linked to developmental delays in children and disorders in pregnancy. Vehicle emissions have been linked to mental illnesses, including anxiety and depression.

People of color in the United States suffer disproportionately from exposure to pollution. They breathe more particulate air pollution on average, a finding that holds across income levels and regions of the US. Black, Latino, Asian, and other people of color are disproportionately exposed to a regulated air pollutant called fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This exposure has serious public health implications, as PM2.5 can cause lung and heart problems, especially for those with chronic diseases, younger people, older people, and other vulnerable populations.

The disparities in exposure to pollution for people of color are a result of systemic racism. Due to historical housing policies and other factors, people of color have been pushed into areas with higher pollution levels. Additionally, modern practices of highway and road placement still disproportionately affect minority communities. As a result, minorities suffer the most from the respiratory and heart problems associated with particulate matter pollution, including chronic exposure, which has been linked to heart attacks, asthma, strokes, and even diabetes.

To reduce the impact of car pollution on people of color and other communities, policies that encourage car harm must be replaced with policies that reduce it. This includes interventions such as moving away from gasoline-powered vehicles to cleaner alternatives like electric vehicles, which have lower emissions and are becoming more cost-effective. Additionally, lawmakers should seek input from the communities most affected by vehicle pollution when writing policies and guidelines to directly target the inequality posed by it.

How driving less can reduce pollution

Cars and automobility have killed 60–80 million people since their invention, with one in 34 deaths currently caused by automobility. Vehicles are the biggest air quality compromisers in America, producing about one-third of all US air pollution. Smog, carbon monoxide, and other toxins emitted by vehicles are particularly harmful because they are released at street level, where humans can breathe them directly into their lungs. Vehicle emissions have been linked to asthma, heart and lung disease, dementia, and cancers – especially in children and for those who live near busy roads or commute long distances. Living near busy roads has also been linked to developmental delays in children and disorders in pregnancy.

To reduce the harm caused by car pollution, we need to reduce our use of gasoline and diesel. This can be achieved by driving less, switching to electric vehicles, and using fuel-efficient cars. Driving just 10% less, if everyone did it, would significantly impact greenhouse gas emissions. This is because Americans drive trillions of miles every year, making transportation the biggest contributor to US greenhouse gas emissions.

To reduce your car usage, try walking or biking to your destination. For longer distances, opt for public transportation like buses or trains, or consider carpooling with someone who lives nearby. If public transportation is not an option, you can still reduce pollution by driving more efficiently. This includes maintaining correct tyre pressure, observing speed limits, and accelerating gradually.

In addition to driving less, you can further reduce pollution by avoiding unnecessary idling, which wastes fuel and causes excess engine wear. Modern vehicles do not need to be "warmed up" in the winter, so turn on the engine only when you are ready to drive. When shopping for a new car, look for fuel-efficient vehicles with low greenhouse gas emissions.

The benefits of switching to an electric vehicle

Cars are a major contributor to air pollution, which has severe health consequences worldwide. Automobility has killed 60-80 million people and injured at least 2 billion since the invention of cars. The smoke billowing from exhaust pipes, the smog, carbon monoxide, and other toxins emitted by vehicles are especially harmful as they are released at street level, where humans breathe the polluted air directly. Air pollutants emitted from cars are believed to cause cancer and contribute to asthma, heart disease, birth defects, and eye irritation.

Switching to an electric vehicle (EV) is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint and positively impact the environment. Here are some benefits of switching to an EV:

Environmental Benefits

Electric vehicles produce significantly fewer emissions than gas-powered cars, not just while in use but throughout their entire lifecycle. Transportation is the biggest contributor to US greenhouse gas emissions, and driving an EV instead of a gas-powered car can reduce your climate pollution by about two-thirds over your car's lifespan. This reduction in emissions will increase as a larger percentage of electricity is produced by clean energy sources, and as battery technology improves.

Health Benefits

The adoption of EVs has been linked to improved air quality and a reduction in asthma-related hospital visits. A study predicted that by 2050, electric vehicles would help Angelenos avoid an estimated $12.6 billion in annual healthcare costs.

Cost Savings

EVs have lower fuel, maintenance, and repair costs than gas-powered cars. Electric vehicles do not require fuel, saving drivers money on gas. On average, EV drivers save about $700 in fuel costs per year. Additionally, electric motors have fewer parts, leading to reduced damage and lower operating costs. Over an EV's lifetime, owners can save up to $10,000 compared to a gas-powered car.

Stress Reduction

EVs provide a smoother and quieter driving experience, which has been shown to reduce stress and improve mental health. One study found that drivers in EVs were more focused, calmer, and happier than those in gas-powered cars.

Incentives and Rewards

EV ownership comes with various perks, such as preferred parking spaces, access to HOV highway lanes, free metered parking, and reduced tolls.

Making the switch to an electric vehicle offers not only environmental benefits but also improves public health, reduces costs, and enhances the driving experience through stress reduction.

How car pollution contributes to global warming

Cars are a major contributor to air pollution and the health consequences it causes worldwide. Every time you go for a drive, pollution is emitted directly into the air, which is especially troubling as it is released at street level, where humans can breathe it directly into their lungs. This includes smog, carbon monoxide, and other toxins, which are emitted from car exhaust pipes.

The burning of fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, such as methane, nitrous oxide, and hydrofluorocarbons, into the atmosphere. These gases are known as greenhouse gases because, at normal levels, they help to keep some of the sun's heat in the atmosphere, warming the Earth. However, the excessive burning of fossil fuels causes greenhouse gas levels to spike, leading to global warming and resulting in changes to the climate that we are already starting to see today.

The US transportation sector, which includes cars, trucks, planes, trains, ships, and freight, produces nearly 30% of all US global warming emissions, making it the largest contributor to US greenhouse gas emissions. Cars and trucks account for nearly one-fifth of all US emissions, emitting around 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other global-warming gases for every gallon of gas. This is supported by the US Department of Energy, which states that highway vehicles release about 1.7 billion tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere each year, mostly in the form of carbon dioxide.

To combat this, consumers can opt for fuel-efficient vehicles, which use less gas to travel the same distance as their less efficient counterparts. Electric cars, hybrid cars, and alternative fuels will also help reduce emissions. Additionally, consumers can play a role by driving less, combining trips for efficiency, and opting to walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation when possible.

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