HomeWHICHWhich Chemical Components Are Given Off In Car Exhaust

Which Chemical Components Are Given Off In Car Exhaust

The effects of breathing exhaust fumes

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Pollutants from cars are linked to a range of health problems, from allergies and skin irritation to heart disease and respiratory problems such as asthma. Long-term repeated exposure to diesel exhaust fumes may also increase the risk of lung cancer, according to the World Health Organisation.

A blockage in your exhaust can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Breathing in CO can cause headaches, respiratory problems and even death if inhaled in large quantities. It’s particularly dangerous to children and people suffering from heart disease.

The amount of exhaust fumes people are exposed to varies greatly, but those living in densely-populated urban areas are most at risk of developing health problems linked to pollution.

What’s being done to reduce exhaust fumes?

Thanks to advances in technology and policies designed to tackle climate change, emissions of CO2 and other car pollutants have been significantly reduced in recent years.

Car manufacturers are reducing exhaust emissions through improved engine and exhaust system design, while catalytic converters and particulate filters are now standard on all new petrol and diesel cars. The Government has also pledged to ban the sale of new diesel and petrol cars by 2030 in a bid to encourage people to make the switch to electric vehicles.

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Many cities around the world have introduced clean air zones to discourage the most polluting vehicles from entering them. London brought in its Ultra Low Emission Zone, and you now need a Crit’Air clean air sticker to drive in France’s busiest cities.

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What are the tests for exhaust pollutants?

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Since 1993, car manufacturers have had to comply with a series of European emissions standards that set maximum limits for harmful substances emitted by new cars.

The standards, which are different for petrol and diesel cars, have become increasingly stricter over time. The Euro 1 standard saw the introduction of catalytic converters and unleaded petrol for all cars. We’re now on Euro 6, which came into force in 2014 and slashes the permitted level of NOx for diesels.

Most vehicles also have an exhaust emissions test as part of their MOT and will fail if they’re found to be emitting too many harmful gases. When the MOT rules were updated in 2018, stricter guidelines were brought in for diesel cars, making it harder for them to pass.

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