Effects of Car Pollutants on the Environment
Car pollutants have a significant impact on the environment. These pollutants impact air quality, water quality, human health, weather and the climate. Two major sources of pollutants from cars include vehicle emissions and fluids.
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Air Quality
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The most obvious impact of car pollutants on the environment is their effect on air quality. Most cars run on gasoline, which is processed from fossil fuel. The burning of fossil fuels introduces particulates (microscopic bits of unburned fuel and other materials) and gases including carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. Smog results, a hazy fog that overlies many major cities and affects the surrounding countryside. The interaction of pollutants and sunlight can produce ground-level caustic ozone. Smog and poor air quality negatively impact human health and the health of other organisms and significantly decrease the yield of agricultural crops.
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Water Quality
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Leaks from a vehicle, including the leakage of oil, antifreeze and brake fluids, can enter water sources, particularly if the vehicle is parked near sewer drains. Washing your car in your driveway can also introduce harmful materials into local aquatic ecosystems, as the water typically drains into storm sewers that direct the water into local waterways. (Car washes are required to either re-use (filtered) water or send used water to sewage treatment centers.) Harmful materials introduced into local water sources can lead to plant and animal die-offs. Drinking water is ultimately affected.
Health
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The introduction of particulate matter and noxious chemicals into the air through the burning of fossil fuels has serious implications for human health. The inhalation of fine particulate matter and noxious gases can lead to many respiratory problems, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and other severe lung ailments.
Weather
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Research conducted by scientists at Stanford University and NASA indicate that air pollutants--in part from cars--may result in slower winds and a reduction in the overall amount of rainfall.
Climate
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Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, which are emitted in part by cars, contribute to global warming. Global warming refers to the trend of increasing temperatures across the globe. As vehicle use has increased over time, the amount of greenhouse gases in the air has also increased. Studies indicate that global warming, if not kept in check, could have disastrous impacts, including flooding of low-lying areas, due to ice melt, and an increase in severe natural events, such as stronger tropical storms and hurricanes.
References
- Photo Credit "Los Angeles Traffic - The Newhall Pass" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: respres (Jeff Turner) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
