Environmental pollution, including pollution in cars, is indeed difficult to avoid. Being in the car, you might feel yourself safe from exhaust fumes and pollution flying outside the car. Is that right?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that indoor pollution is 2-5 times higher than outdoor pollution, one of which is pollution that you are not aware of while in the car. In general, we spend two or more hours in the car every day.
The results of the study also stated that exposure to dangerous particular and black carbon suffered by private car drivers was also higher than bicycle riders, train users, and buses. The study also mentioned that the level of pollution in the middle of the road could be higher than on the roadside or on the sidewalk.
When you are in a car, you tend to breathe pollution from the exhaust fumes of the vehicle in front of you. Especially if your vehicle is in a closed condition and does not have good air flow control settings. The concentration of carbon monoxide from exhaust fumes can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and trigger damage to blood vessels, heart, and lungs.
If you think that opening a window can make the air flow better, that's also not entirely true. If you are stuck in traffic, with hot weather conditions, and the car window is open, the pollution you breathe can be six times higher than the pollution suffered by a pedestrian.
Pollution from Chemicals
In addition to pollution from outside the vehicle, driving with a closed car will also expose you to pollution from chemicals in your car.
For example the smell or smell of a new car. The aroma is actually the smell of toxic chemicals that come from the interior of the car, such as seats, steering wheel, cushion and armrests, floor coverings, dashboards, and plastic parts in some car interiors. Synthetic materials and plastics used for this interior are produced with the addition of chemicals that produce hazardous substances such as benzene, toluene, and xylene. Often the levels of substances found exceed the permitted air quality standards.
In addition, during the day, when the sun is shining hot, UV light can also increase the concentration of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and release other chemicals from the car's interior and bring it to dangerous levels. Poly brominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and phthalates (chemicals used to soften plastics) are some of these chemicals.
If exposed continuously, these chemicals can cause various health problems, such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, allergies, and shortness of breath.
Reducing Pollution Exposure when Driving
The following are some things you can do to reduce your exposure to pollution while driving.
- Air pollution in cars tends to be higher during peak hours. Avoid driving during rush hours or look for alternative routes that are not too crowded. When jammed, you will be more exposed to exhaust fumes from the car in front of you. Exhaust fumes produce carbon emissions that are very dangerous for the body.
- If your car has an air circulation function, use this function to create better air flow. Open the car window when driving in a beautiful environment and the air is clean.
- When driving, keep your vehicle safe distance from vehicles with exhaust fumes such as diesel trucks. When stopping at traffic lights, close the window of your car and keep the vehicle distance. And when driving in a non-congested area, you can open the car window to let in fresh air.
- Be diligent in caring for your car and cleanliness in the car, because the air in untreated cars tends to be polluted and unhealthy.
- You are not recommended to use car air freshener, air freshener, or deodorant in the car. And you should also not smoke in the car. Exposure to cigarette smoke and particles of these substances can cause adverse effects on health.
You really can't control the pollution around you, but you can minimize the exposure to pollution in the ways above. Or switch to public transportation to reduce congestion, while at the same time creating a healthier air and environment
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