Car Sciences: Unsafe Substances Found in Automobiles

Though owning a car is just about a necessity for folks who want to work and have a social life in today’s society, cars are still notorious for emitting and containing various unsafe substances which have harmful effects on both the environment and human health. For example, one of the most well known toxins that an automobile emits is carbon monoxide.

Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause illness at best and, in worst-case scenarios when someone is inside a running automobile in a garage or other sort of confined area, death. Carbon monoxide poisoning primary symptoms include confusion and headache, so anybody who experiences this while in a vehicle must immediately remove themselves from the vehicle and seek emergency care.

Aside from carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are also toxic, potentially deadly substance within a confined area. This is because with these gases present, the amount of oxygen available for each person in an area to breathe is severely limited. For this reason, and because emissions will pollute the oxygen inside the area, people should never remain in a confined area with a running vehicle, even when not sitting inside of it.

The exhausts that automobiles emit are also a source of unsafe substances, including certain carcinogens like benzene, which has a known link to leukemia. Benzene has a distinct heated plastic smell, and it can access the inside of a vehicle through its air conditioning system. However, because the knowledge of unsafe substances is more widespread, newer vehicles no longer have such high risk for exposure as they must pass even stricter emissions requirements.

The exhaust is not the only part of a car that is known to cause toxic exposure, however. The interior of an automobile, including the paint and the upholstery, are also a problem, with lead paint being one in particular. It is possible for lead to rub off on hands or be inhaled after rubbing. Upon entering the air in the car, this can lead to lead poisoning, which can lead to the alteration of brain chemistry, leading to confusion and learning disabilities.

Older vehicles and their parts are also susceptible to containing asbestos like, brake pads, linings, clutch plates, etc. which has known links to mesothelioma. When a driver is inside the car, the likelihood of being exposed to these toxins is greater because the toxins are concentrated. Decreasing risk requires driving for a limited time and keeping the windows open, lessening the concentration and lessening the change that more harmful conditions will develop, including cancer.

Keep in mind that children are also exceptionally vulnerable to these conditions, so it is important that the vehicle a child rides in fully complies with recent safety standards. Vehicles should regularly be tested for compliance, and owners should replace old upholstery.

Article by: Brian Turner

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