When people hear the phrase “car exhaust” they think of the smoke that emits from their car’s tailpipe. The smoke could be adding to the slow death of our planet due to the fact that the exhaust is a dangerous soup of chemicals. I will showcase the three main threats directly linked to the chemicals in these fumes and their effects on the environment. Additionally, I will cover how the United States Government has reacted to these threats through regulations and other initiatives.
Before addressing the chemicals, I need to explain gasoline’s link to them. In general terms, Gasoline is a mix of hydrocarbons that is burned to create energy to run the internal combustion engine. When the hydrocarbons are heated during the combustion process their structures change to create new chemicals. Many of these chemicals combine with oxygen and end up in the atmosphere. The largest emission and possible the most dangerous of the emissions is carbon dioxide.
Carbon Dioxide or more commonly referred to by its atomic structure CO2, in the correct amounts, is vital to life on Earth. All mammals, fish, and fowl produce CO2 with every breath as part of the normal breathing process. Plants process or consume CO2 as part of the photosynthesis process and produce oxygen. Life simply wouldn 't function without CO2. The problem is the amount of CO2 being created is significantly greater than what the plant life can process.
C02 is known as a greenhouse gas this specific type of gas is how
The Carbon Cycle is a process necessary to all life forms as carbon is used for photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and is found in all living organisms. This process occurs naturally from cellular respiration, decomposition, and volcanic eruptions. However from burning fossil fuels and cutting down trees at a rapid pace carbon dioxide is being released into the atmosphere at an artificial rate. The overabundance of atmospheric carbon dioxide is causing for global warming. This global warming is causing extreme havoc to the Earth and all of its life forms. However this damage, although cannot be reversed, can be changed for the better.
The transportation industry has continued to grow from the first production of the car in the 1990s by Karl Benz. Since this time there have been an outstanding number of model cars, airplanes, buses, motorcycles and scooters, and many other transportation vehicles that uses the standard type of fuel, gasoline. Society as a whole has yet to realize the harmful effects gas powered vehicles have on our ecosystem. Unfortunately, due to lack of this information, the overwhelming price difference between the types of transportation, and convenience, this ever-growing problem my never change until it's too late.
There is also type of smog called photochemical smog which was recently discovered in the 1950’s. Aus-e-tute’s The Chemistry of Photochemical Smog refers to photochemical smog as, “a type of air pollution produced when sunlight acts upon motor vehicle exhaust gases to form harmful substances such as ozone (O3), aldehydes and peroxyacetylnitrate (PAN).” When some see this they think, wow, all the carbon being released from the burning of fossil fuels in cars can lead to these toxic chemicals. That is where they are wrong. Aus-e-tute also sets apart the type of gasses from cars that cause these chemicals. They explain that, “Motor vehicles produce exhaust gases containing oxides of nitrogen such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitric oxide (NO).” Again no carbon was the effect of a potentially harmful chemical byproduct.
Pollution has become a heated issue in recent years. The destruction of the environment along with serious health problems are the eventual effects. The extensive use and availability of automobiles, tremendous amounts of production in the booming economy and the constant increase in demand for energy, can be held responsible.
The burning of gasoline by automobiles releases carbon dioxide and other types of air pollution
Carbon dioxide is very important in the atmosphere, however only in moderation. For centuries humans have been burning coal, oil, and fossil fuels therefore releasing tons of carbon into the air. The problem with this is that this can cause a problem known as global warming. This is a major climate problem, which has series results on people and the environment. The result on people can be very deadly. Too much carbon in the air can cause cancer.
This is shown very well in Silent spring. “So to the potentially dangerous dangerous fumes from gasoline are to the finely divided particles of whatever insecticide the probably unsuspecting suburbanite has chosen to distribute, raising the level of air pollution above his own grounds to something few cities could equal” (177). This is an excellent example of humans ecological footprint. We as humans have many things that operate on many non renewable resources that are leaving a harmful effect on the environment. This is done by the use of fossil fuels. When fossil fuels such as gasoline are burned they produce co2. This is very harmful because the co2 becomes trapped in the atmosphere. This thickens the atmosphere in a sense, and does not allow heat to escape as easily. This is what is thought to be causing global warming, and could lead to some disastrous changes. This includes rising sea levels, heating of the surface of the ocean,possible changes in ocean circulation, possible effects on the habitats of animals,etc. All of this is due to us burning fossil fuels so it would be known as our ecological
The large majority of todays cars and trucks travel by using internal combustion engines that burn fossil fuels and gasoline. A variety of emissions are polluted into the atmosphere when burning gasoline to power cars and trucks. Emissions that are released directly from cars and trucks into the atmosphere are the primary cause of car pollution but it still causes pollution the air during the manufacturing and refueling processes. Primary pollution from motor vehicles is pollution that is emitted directly into the atmosphere where as secondary pollution is caused from chemical reactions between pollutants after they have been released into the air at least 92 million Americans still live in areas with chronic smog problems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency predicts that by 2010, even with pollution controls more than 93 million people will live in areas that violate health standards for ozone (urban smog) and more than 55 million Americans will suffer from hazardous levels of fine particle pollution, which is especially dangerous to children and senior citizens.
Air, is one of the most substantial source to mankind and our planet. While it exists, so does everything else along. However, in today’s epidemic, there has been certain factors that have increased in understanding whether the air we breathe today is healthy or not? Is it doing more harm than we thought? In other words, the health risks against air pollution have risen in the past few decades; all from what you may ask? Well, it could be for various factors and evaluations; either environmental or materialistic. Pollution is a major public health crisis in the world. (Friis, 2012). This is one of the conflicts that contribute to various aspects of an individual’s life, whether they may realize it or not. In this paper will include the sources that cause pollution with the effects it cause as well as policies on the regulation of air pollution.
In conclusion, Carbon Dioxide is a special compound that plays a vital role to all living things on Earth. Although beneficial, it can also be very harmful if not handled appropriately. It is unlike any other compound with many characteristics and properties. Knowing all of these facts can help save your planet and even save your
Photosynthesis is important because it balances the atmospheric gases and source of oxygen when plants do not consume carbon dioxide it would increase in the earth’s atmosphere causing
“Automobiles have a large impact on the quality of our environment and public health. Automobile use affects virtually every aspect of environmental quality - including noise levels, air quality, water pollution, and urban sprawl. Ninety percent of the environmental impact of automobiles occurs through the operation of the cars: about 10 percent from the production, raw materials and disposal of
Co2 has been helping us, and in no way is causing us any major problems. Co2 is a great airborne fertilizer, which as it’s concentration grows, causes additional plant growth, and causes plants to need less water. Without co2, there would be no plant life on earth, and we all know how much we need them. The additional 120 ppm
The amount of factories and industries has grown immensely through the previous years which has resulted in an expansion in the consumption of petroleum products. Innovation has begun to increase and has promoted the expansion of the production of cars. As stated by the Air Quality Research Center, “Air pollution is one of the most dangerous environmental problems, causing many adverse health effects and responsible for 50,000 deaths in the U.S. each year” (Air Pollution and Health – Air Quality Research Center.). The smog and
Other pollutant from cars was lead; it is highly toxic metal. Lead has been phased out of gasoline, but there, are other sources of it. It includes paints, production of lead batteries, water pipes, and a few heir dye products. Car exhausts can also produce nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compounds, which are also, product of burning fuels. Factories and power plants produce same pollutants as cars do, but they produce them in bigger mnozstve and the produce some more such as sulfur dioxide, which is made during production of paper, burning coal in power plants, or smelting of metal. Burning other fuels like wood, or natural gas can make all of these pollutants too.