Not many people are aware of Benzene which is a short-lived toxic gas found in car exhaust and 2nd hand smoke. (link) It’s a well-established carcinogen and even in small amounts it can irritate the skin and eyes. Samples show that it’s found at higher levels inside of a car then in samples taken elsewhere in a neighbourhood. (link). In fact, the highest levels are found at gas stations and refineries. Thankfully, the U.S. EPA has finally taken steps to tighten restrictions on the levels allowed into the air. (link)
It’s easy to confuse Nitrogen Dioxide with Nitrous oxide. However ‘nitro’ (sometimes called ‘laughing gas) is only a mild toxin and unlikely to be deadly. Nitrogen Dioxide, on the other hand, causes severe harm to the lungs. (link)
Caused mainly by burning gasoline, this colourless gas is more dangerous than anything found in cigarettes. It can also bond with other elements in the air to form particulate matter (see below). What makes this element so scary is that the numbers for how much pollution is being produced by the world’s cars is wildly understated. (link) The recent news around Volkswagen’s pollution rigging has only shined a spotlight on a long existing scandal. Throughout Northern Europe, residents are waking up to the severe dangers which are caused by auto exhaust. (link)
Children endure the highest risk because their lungs are still developing, which contributes to a host of breathing problems later in life. City residents who live closer to high traffic areas are found to have poor concentration, and less reliable memory recall then people living in cleaner air. (link) This may be connected to studies showing that people who breathe in more of this pollution tend to have brains that ‘age faster.’ (link) (link) The risk from these pollutants has caused France to enact tough laws limiting the number of cars entering Paris in order to reduce the damage from pollution.
Other pollutants known to contribute to cancer in humans include: •
In one New Zealand study, it was found that drivers are exposed to 60% more Carbon Monoxide then cyclists. Meanwhile definitive research has shown that the physical exercise from traveling by bicycle far outweighs the danger from inhaled pollution (read more here). As this and other studies show, the more people choose active transportation, the less pollution will be thrown into the air, and the better we can all breathe.
I included this section for you, dear reader, to point out that there are more issues facing us then just greenhouse gases. Are the effects of greenhouse gases less harmful or more harmful then the pollution in our cities? To those who suffer the effects of these pollutants, they are both hugely important. What I encourage you to take away from this essay, is that making choices which cause less impact benefits everyone. Not just you yourself, but your children, your parents, your friends, your spouse...everyone wins with less pollution and healthier lifestyle choices. This is what makes me feel great about enjoying both a carfree lifestyle and a vegan diet.