How many harmful substances emits a car per day. The effect of exhaust gases on the human body

A small educational program for fans to breathe from the exhaust pipe.

The exhaust gases of internal combustion engines contain about 200 components. The period of their existence lasts from a few minutes to 4-5 years. By chemical composition and properties, as well as the nature of the impact on the human body, they are combined into groups.

First group. It contains non-toxic substances (natural components atmospheric air

Second group. This group includes only one substance - carbon monoxide, or carbon monoxide (CO). The product of incomplete combustion of petroleum fuels is colorless and odorless, lighter than air. In oxygen and in air, carbon monoxide burns with a bluish flame, releasing a lot of heat and turning into carbon dioxide.

Carbon monoxide has a pronounced toxic effect. It is due to its ability to react with blood hemoglobin, leading to the formation of carboxyhemoglobin, which does not bind oxygen. As a result, gas exchange in the body is disturbed, oxygen starvation appears and there is a violation of the functioning of all body systems.

Car drivers are often exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning. Vehicle when spending the night in the cab with the engine running or when the engine is warming up in a closed garage. The nature of carbon monoxide poisoning depends on its concentration in the air, the duration of exposure and the individual susceptibility of a person. A mild degree of poisoning causes a throbbing in the head, darkening of the eyes, increased heart rate. In severe poisoning, consciousness becomes clouded, drowsiness increases. At very high doses of carbon monoxide (over 1%), loss of consciousness and death occur.

Third group. It contains nitrogen oxides, mainly NO - nitrogen oxide and NO 2 - nitrogen dioxide. These are the gases that form in the chamber combustion engine at a temperature of 2800 ° C and a pressure of about 10 kgf / cm 2. Nitric oxide is a colorless gas, does not interact with water and is slightly soluble in it, does not react with solutions of acids and alkalis.

Easily oxidized by atmospheric oxygen and forms nitrogen dioxide. Under normal atmospheric conditions, NO is completely converted into NO 2 - a brown-colored gas with a characteristic odor. It is heavier than air, therefore it collects in depressions, ditches and is a great danger when maintenance Vehicle.

For the human body, nitrogen oxides are even more harmful than carbon monoxide. The general nature of exposure varies depending on the content of various nitrogen oxides. Upon contact of nitrogen dioxide with a wet surface (mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, bronchi), nitric and nitrous acids are formed, which irritate the mucous membranes and affect the alveolar tissue of the lungs. At high concentrations of nitrogen oxides (0.004 - 0.008%), asthmatic manifestations and pulmonary edema occur.

Inhaling air containing nitrogen oxides in high concentrations, a person does not have unpleasant sensations and does not imply negative consequences. With prolonged exposure to nitrogen oxides in concentrations exceeding the norm, people get chronic bronchitis, inflammation of the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, suffer from heart failure, and nervous disorders.

A secondary reaction to the effects of nitrogen oxides is manifested in the formation of nitrites in the human body and their absorption into the blood. This causes the conversion of hemoglobin to metahemoglobin, which leads to a violation of cardiac activity.

Nitrogen oxides also have a negative effect on vegetation, forming solutions of nitric and nitrous acids on leaf plates. The same property determines the effect of nitrogen oxides on Construction Materials and metal structures. In addition, they are involved in the photochemical reaction of smog formation.

Fourth group. This most numerous group includes various hydrocarbons, that is, compounds of the C x H y type. The exhaust gases contain hydrocarbons of various homologous series: paraffinic (alkanes), naphthenic (cyclanes) and aromatic (benzene), about 160 components in total. They are formed as a result of incomplete combustion of fuel in the engine.

Unburned hydrocarbons are one of the causes of white or blue smoke. This happens when ignition is delayed. working mixture in the engine or at low temperatures in the combustion chamber.

Hydrocarbons are toxic and have an adverse effect on the human cardiovascular system. Hydrocarbon compounds of exhaust gases, along with toxic properties, have a carcinogenic effect. Carcinogens are substances that contribute to the emergence and development of malignant neoplasms.

The aromatic hydrocarbon benz-a-pyrene C 20 H 12 contained in the exhaust gases is distinguished by a special carcinogenic activity. gasoline engines and diesels. It dissolves well in oils, fats, human blood serum. Accumulating in the human body to dangerous concentrations, benz-a-pyrene stimulates the formation of malignant tumors.

Hydrocarbons under the influence of ultraviolet radiation from the Sun react with nitrogen oxides, resulting in the formation of new toxic products - photooxidants, which are the basis of "smog".

Photooxidants are biologically active, have a harmful effect on living organisms, lead to the growth of pulmonary and bronchial diseases in humans, destroy rubber products, accelerate the corrosion of metals, and worsen visibility conditions.

Fifth group. It consists of aldehydes - organic compounds containing an aldehyde group -CHO associated with a hydrocarbon radical (CH 3, C 6 H 5 or others).

Exhaust gases contain mainly formaldehyde, acrolein and acetaldehyde. Nai large quantity aldehydes is formed at idle and low loads when combustion temperatures in the engine are low.

Formaldehyde HCHO is a colorless gas with bad smell, heavier than air, easily soluble in water. It irritates human mucous membranes, respiratory tract, affects the central nervous system. Causes the smell of exhaust gases, especially in diesel engines.

Acrolein CH 2 \u003d CH-CH \u003d O, or acrylic acid aldehyde, is a colorless toxic gas with the smell of burnt fats. It has an effect on the mucous membranes.

Acetic aldehyde CH 3 CHO is a gas with a pungent odor and a toxic effect on the human body.

Sixth group. Soot and other dispersed particles (engine wear products, aerosols, oils, soot, etc.) are released into it. Soot is black solid carbon particles formed when complete combustion and thermal decomposition of fuel hydrocarbons. It does not pose an immediate danger to human health, but may irritate the respiratory tract. By creating a smoky plume behind the vehicle, soot impairs visibility on the roads. The greatest harm of soot lies in the adsorption of benzo-a-pyrene on its surface, which in this case has a stronger negative effect on the human body than in its pure form.

Seventh group. It is a sulfur compound - inorganic gases such as sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, which appear in the exhaust gases of engines if fuel with a high sulfur content is used. Significantly more sulfur is present in diesel fuels compared to other types of fuels used in transport.

Domestic oil fields (especially in the eastern regions) are characterized by a high percentage of the presence of sulfur and sulfur compounds. Therefore, diesel fuel obtained from it using outdated technologies has a heavier fractional composition and, at the same time, is less purified from sulfur and paraffin compounds. According to European standards introduced in 1996, the sulfur content in diesel fuel should not exceed 0.005 g / l, and according to the Russian standard - 1.7 g / l. The presence of sulfur increases the toxicity of diesel exhaust gases and is the cause of the appearance of harmful sulfur compounds in them.

Sulfur compounds have a pungent odor, are heavier than air, and dissolve in water. They have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the throat, nose, eyes of a person, can lead to a violation of carbohydrate and protein metabolism and inhibition of oxidative processes, at high concentrations (over 0.01%) - to poisoning of the body. Sulfur dioxide also has a detrimental effect on the plant world.

Eighth group. The components of this group - lead and its compounds - are found in exhaust gases. carbureted cars only when using leaded gasoline, which contains an additive that increases octane number. It determines the engine's ability to run without detonation. The higher the octane number, the more resistant the gasoline is to knocking. detonation combustion the working mixture flows at supersonic speed, which is 100 times faster than normal. The operation of the engine with detonation is dangerous because the engine overheats, its power drops, and the service life is sharply reduced. Increasing the octane number of gasoline helps to reduce the possibility of detonation.

As an additive that increases the octane number, an antiknock agent is used - ethyl liquid R-9. Gasoline with the addition of ethyl liquid becomes leaded. The composition of the ethyl liquid includes the actual antiknock agent - tetraethyl lead Pb (C 2 H 5) 4, the scavenger - ethyl bromide (BrC 2 H 5) and α-monochloronaphthalene (C 10 H 7 Cl), the filler - gasoline B-70, an antioxidant - paraoxydiphenylamine and dye. During the combustion of leaded gasoline, the scavenger helps to remove lead and its oxides from the combustion chamber, turning them into a vapor state. They, together with the exhaust gases, are released into the surrounding area and settle near the roads.

In roadside areas, approximately 50% of particulate lead emissions are immediately distributed to the adjacent surface. The rest is in the air in the form of aerosols for several hours, and then is also deposited on the ground near roads. The accumulation of lead in roadside leads to pollution of ecosystems and makes nearby soils unsuitable for agricultural use.

The addition of R-9 additive to gasoline makes it highly toxic. Different brands gasoline have different percentages of additives. To distinguish brands of leaded gasoline, they are colored by adding multi-colored dyes to the additive. Unleaded gasoline is supplied uncolored (Table 9).

In the developed world, the use of leaded gasoline is limited or has already been completely discontinued. In Russia he still finds wide application. However, the goal is to stop using it. Large industrial centers and resort areas are switching to the use of unleaded gasoline.

Ecosystems are negatively impacted not only by the considered components of engine exhaust gases, divided into eight groups, but also by the hydrocarbon fuels, oils and lubricants. Possessing a great ability to evaporate, especially when the temperature rises, vapors of fuels and oils spread in the air and adversely affect living organisms.

Accidental spills and intentional discharges of used oil directly onto the ground or into bodies of water occur at fuel and oil refueling sites. Vegetation does not grow in place of the oil spot for a long time. Oil products that have fallen into water bodies have a detrimental effect on their flora and fauna.

Removal, processing and disposal of waste from 1 to 5 hazard class

We work with all regions of Russia. Valid license. Full set closing documents. Individual approach to the client and flexible pricing policy.

Using this form, you can leave a request for the provision of services, request Commercial offer or get a free consultation from our experts.

Send

Impact on the atmosphere exhaust gases is a pressing environmental issue. Many people use cars and do not even realize how badly they poison the air. To assess the damage, it is worth studying the composition of exhaust gases and the consequences of their impact on the environment.

What are exhaust gases made of?

Traffic fumes automobiles are formed during the operation of the engine, as well as during incomplete or complete combustion of the fuel used. In total, over two hundred different components are found in them: some exist for only a few minutes, while others decompose for years and hover in the air for a long time.

Classification

All exhausts are divided into several groups according to their properties, constituent components and the degree of impact on the environment and the human body:

1. The first group includes all substances that do not have toxic properties. This includes water vapor, as well as natural and integral components of atmospheric air, which inevitably penetrate car engines. This category also includes emissions of CO2 - carbon dioxide, which is also non-toxic, but reduces the concentration of oxygen in the air.
2. The second group of constituents of automotive exhaust gases includes carbon monoxide, i.e. carbon monoxide. It is a product of incomplete combustion of fuel and has pronounced toxic and toxic properties. This substance, getting into the human body by inhalation, penetrates into the blood and reacts with hemoglobin. As a result, the oxygen concentration is greatly reduced, hypoxia occurs, and in severe cases, death.
3. The third group covers nitrogen oxides, which have a brownish tint, an unpleasant pungent odor. Such substances are dangerous for humans, as they can irritate mucous membranes and affect the membranes of internal organs, especially the lungs.
4. The fourth group of exhaust gas components is the most numerous and includes hydrocarbons that appear due to incomplete combustion of the fuel used in automotive engines. And it is these substances that form bluish or light white smoke.
5. The fifth group of exhaust components is represented by aldehydes. The highest concentrations of these substances are observed at minimal loads or during the so-called idling, when temperature regime combustion in the engine is characterized by low rates.
6. The sixth group of exhaust components automotive gases are various dispersed particles, including soot. They are considered wear products of engine parts, and may also include oil particles, aerosols, carbon deposits. Soot itself is not dangerous, but it can settle in the respiratory tract and impair visibility from exhaust gases.
7. The seventh group of substances that make up the exhaust gases are various sulfur compounds formed during the combustion in engines of fuels containing sulfur (primarily diesel). Such components have a sharp characteristic odor, and they can irritate the mucous membranes, as well as disrupt metabolic processes and oxidative reactions.
8. The eighth group is different lead compounds. They appear during operation. carburetor engines subject to the use of leaded gasoline with additives that increase the octane number.

Consequences of exposure to exhaust gases

The impact of exhaust gases on human health, the environment and the atmosphere is extremely detrimental. First of all, harmful emissions, formed during the combustion of fuel in automobile engines, greatly pollute the air, forming smog. Some small and light particles are able to rise and reach the atmospheric layers, changing their composition and compacting the structure.

Exhaust gases are one of the reasons greenhouse effect, which is developing at a rapid pace and poses a real threat to the environment and all of humanity. It causes weather anomalies, warming, melting glaciers, rising sea levels.

Another direction of the negative impact of exhaust gases is to contribute to the formation of acid rain. Recently, they began to go more and more often and greatly harm the ecosystem. Precipitation, which is highly acidic, changes the composition of the soil, which can make it unsuitable for growing plants and growing crops.

The flora suffers greatly: the rains literally corrode the foliage and fruits. Also, acid precipitation is harmful and dangerous to humans: they have an irritating and toxic effect on the skin, scalp.

The impact of car exhausts is extremely dangerous for the human body. Gas components almost immediately enter the respiratory system, irritate the mucous membranes of the lungs and bronchi, disrupt and inhibit respiratory function, and also cause whole line chronic diseases, including asthma and bronchitis. But substances from the respiratory tract are absorbed into the blood and change its composition, for example, significantly reduce the concentration of oxygen. Also, compounds penetrate into all tissues and organs, and some are capable of causing degeneration and mutation of cells in the future, their destruction.

How to avoid the serious effects of exhaust emissions

To minimize the dangerous and serious consequences of the negative effects of automotive exhaust gases, a number of measures should be taken:

1. Competent, rational and moderate operation of motor vehicles. Don't let long work on Idling, avoid driving high speeds, if possible, give up the car in favor of using public transport, namely trolleybuses and trams.
2. The most efficient way is to move away from oily fuels and switch to alternative sources energy. In the past few years, scientists have begun to develop cars that run on electricity and even solar panels.
3. Constantly monitor the condition of the car, and especially the condition of the engine and all its parts, as well as the operation of the exhaust system.
4. Available modern facilities that reduce the concentration harmful substances in car exhaust. These include the so-called catalytic converters exhaust gases. If you apply them constantly, then the emissions will be less dangerous for the atmosphere and humanity.

Using a car, each owner must take care not only about its serviceability, but also about the impact of transport and emissions on health and the environment. Only in this case will it be possible to avoid sad consequences.

They accompany us almost everywhere - they fly into our kitchen through the window, they pursue us in the car, on pedestrian crossing, V public transport… Car exhaust fumes - are they really as dangerous to humans as the media portrays?

From general to specific - air pollution from exhaust gases

From time to time, in large cities, due to the impending smog, even the sky is not visible. The authorities of Paris, for example, on such days are trying to limit the exit of cars - today the owners of cars with even numbers are driving, and tomorrow with odd ones ... But as soon as a fresh wind blows and spreads the accumulated gases, everyone is released onto the road again until a new wave of smog covers the city so that tourists do not see the Eiffel Tower. In many large cities, it is cars that are the main air pollutants, although globally they are inferior to industry leadership. Only the sphere of energy production from petroleum products and organics emits twice as much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as all cars combined.

Plus, according to ecologists, humanity annually cuts down as much forest as would be enough to process all the CO 2 that enters the atmosphere from the exhaust pipe.

That is, whatever one may say, but the pollution of the atmosphere by car exhaust gases is, on a global scale, only one of the links in the consumption system that is detrimental to our planet. However, let's try to move from the general to the particular - which is closer to us, some kind of factory on the edge of geography, or a car? " iron Horse" - By by and large, our personal exhaust "charms" generator, which here and now continues to do this. And it harms, first of all, to ourselves. Many drivers complain of drowsiness and are looking for a way, not even suspecting that the lack of strength and vigor is due to the inhalation of exhaust!

Exhaust fumes - is it that bad?

In total, exhaust gases contain more than 200 different chemical formulas. These are nitrogen, oxygen, water and the same carbon dioxide that are harmless to the body, and toxic carcinogens that increase the risk of serious illnesses up to the formation of malignant tumors. However, this is in the future, the very same dangerous substance one that has the potential to affect our health here and now is carbon monoxide CO, a product of the incomplete combustion of fuels. We cannot feel this gas with our receptors, and it inaudibly and invisibly creates a small Auschwitz for our body - the poison restricts the access of oxygen to the cells of the body, which in turn can cause as usual headache, and more serious symptoms of poisoning, up to loss of consciousness and death.

The worst thing is that it is children who are most poisoned - just at the level of their inhalation, it concentrates the largest number poison. The ongoing experiments, which took into account all sorts of factors, revealed a pattern - children who are regularly exposed to carbon monoxide and other "exhaust" products simply become dumb, not to mention weakened immunity and "minor" diseases like frequent colds. And this is just the tip of the iceberg - is it worth describing the effects of formaldehyde, benzopyrene and 190 other different compounds on our body?? The pragmatic Britons have calculated that exhaust fumes kill every year. more people than die in car accidents!

Car exhaust fumes - how to deal with them?

And again, let's move from the general to the particular - you can accuse world governments of inactivity as much as you like, scold industrial magnates whenever you or members of your family are sick, but you and only you can do something, even if not for complete failure from the car, but at least to reduce emissions. Of course, we are all limited by the capabilities of our wallet, but of the actions listed in this article, for sure, there will be at least one that suits you. Just let's agree - you will start performing right now, without postponing for a ghostly tomorrow.

It is quite possible that you can afford to switch to gas engines - do it! If this is not possible, adjust the engine, spend. If everything is in order with the engine, try to choose the most rational mode of its operation. Ready? Go further - use exhaust gas neutralizers! Wallet won't allow? So save money on gasoline - walk more often, ride a bike to the store.

The cost of fuel is so high that in just a few weeks of such savings, you can afford the best catalytic converter! Optimize trips - try to do as many things as possible in one run, combine trips with your neighbors or colleagues. Acting in this way, fulfilling at least one of the above conditions, you can personally be satisfied with yourself - air pollution by exhaust gases has decreased thanks to you! And do not think that this is not a result - your actions are like small pebbles that entail an avalanche.

City dwellers often talk about ecology, and mostly scold it. In principle, there are many reasons for this, but exhaust gases are especially often talked about. So, what exactly does the city breathe and what does the smell of exhaust gases hide in itself?

Often, exhaust gases are called all emissions into the urban atmosphere, including boilers, factories and other industrial enterprises. In fact, it is correct to call this term only transport emissions that appear as a result of fuel processing. They are also called waste gases. Exhaust gases are a product of the operation of engines internal combustion, and, given the rapid growth in the number of transport over the past 50 years and, in particular, the increase in personal vehicles in cities, exhaust gases in the air of cities have settled in earnest and for a long time, and their number is only growing.

Now it is exhaust gases that are the main cause of air pollution in the city and constantly affect human health. So, we figured out the terminology, let's find out what exactly cars regularly deliver to our atmosphere, why it is dangerous and how to protect yourself if you smell exhaust gases in the apartment.

All cars emit carcinogens and toxic substances into the air. The composition of the exhaust gases of a car varies depending on the type of engine, gasoline or diesel, but the basic set remains the same.
So, the composition of automobile exhaust gases includes:

Component	Volume fraction in petrol engine, %	Volume fraction in diesel engine, %	Toxicity
Nitrogen	74–77	76–78	non-toxic
Oxygen	0,3–8	2–18	non-toxic
water vapor	3–5,5	0,5–4	non-toxic
Carbon dioxide	5–12	1–10	non-toxic
carbon monoxide	0,1–10	0,01–5	toxic
hydrocarbons	0,2–3	0,009–0,5	toxic
Aldehydes	0–2	0,001–0,009	toxic
Sulfur dioxide	0–0,002	0–0,03	toxic
Soot, g/m3	0–0,04	0,1–1,1	toxic
Benzopyrene, g/m3	0,01–0,02	0–0,01	toxic

As you can see, the composition of exhaust gases is quite diverse, and most of the components are toxic. Now let's see what effect exhaust gases have on a person.

The effect of exhaust gases on the human body

Vehicle exhaust fumes can be harmful to health, and quite serious. First of all, carbon monoxide or carbon monoxide, which we have already mentioned, has no taste and smell, but at high concentration it causes dizziness, headache, nausea, and can lead to fainting.
Sulphurous gasoline and the sulfur oxide it creates is one of the causes of strong exhaust odors. The fact is that sulfur dioxide molecules have a very noticeable effect on olfactory receptors, so this smell is felt even at a low concentration, and a more concentrated “aroma” covers all other smells for a person’s nose, which can be confirmed by anyone who lit matches in the house. Leaded gasoline enriches the air with lead. The amount of such exhaust gases and the health damage they cause has made lead one of the most notorious toxic compounds in the atmosphere. At present, such gasoline is no longer used as a fuel for cars, but for quite a long time its vapors filled everything big cities. Hydrocarbons in car emissions are oxidized when exposed to sunlight and form toxic compounds with a pungent odor, which particularly affect the upper respiratory tract and lead to exacerbations of chronic diseases of the respiratory system.
The harm from car exhaust gases is largely explained by carcinogens - soot and benzopyrene, which contribute to the development of tumors, especially malignant ones.

Considering exhaust gases and the harm they bring, we must add about the effect of this chemical cocktail in its entirety: prolonged contact with exhaust gases leads to death, in particular from carbon monoxide poisoning. The greatest danger of these emissions is their quantity, prevalence and fine particle size, which allows the exhaust to pass through the natural barriers of the body and into the lungs. With constant exposure to exhaust gases on the body, immunodeficiency, bronchitis can develop, brain vessels, the nervous system and other organs suffer. In addition, most of the toxic substances that make up exhaust gases can interact with each other and with other components of the atmosphere, which contributes to the formation of smog.

Everyone who has taken a school course in botany knows that plants also breathe. And, like any breathing organism, they feel pollution from exhaust gases on themselves. The smallest particles of harmful compounds enter the body of the plant and poison it, therefore, very often in the city, located near big roads or parking lots, lawns and trees look sluggish, quickly turn yellow or die altogether.

Air pollution from exhaust gases has significantly affected the composition of atmospheric precipitation. It is thanks to the activity of transport that acid rains, colored fogs or snow of fifty shades of black appear. Naturally, due to precipitation, the air is somewhat purified, but all the collected dirt enters the soil, causing general pollution environment with exhaust gases. The same compounds and heavy metals spread further through the soil, getting into animal feed and cultivated crops, which means polluting not only nature, but also repeatedly humans. Of course, it would be superfluous to panic about this, but with such pollution of the atmosphere with exhaust gases, you should take care of your health.

How to protect yourself from exhaust gases

We get the greatest harm from exhaust gases while in traffic jams, where there is simply nowhere to run from automobile emissions. In such a situation, if there is no respirator or gas mask at hand, you still have to inhale the exhaust, but you can cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief or scarf. This will not completely protect you from exhaust emissions, but it will at least smooth the situation somewhat. With constant exposure to exhaust, it is worth diversifying your menu with antioxidants found in berries, fruits, green vegetables and green tea, as well as seeds, and drinking more water, as it promotes detoxification. Such “doping” helps the body cope with the consequences of inhaling a chemical cocktail and maintains health.

Exhaust gases in the apartment are clearly unwanted guests, but they often penetrate our homes if there are roads or parking lots under them or near them. If there is no possibility or desire to move to the bosom of nature away from the roads, you can create safe zones in the house. To understand how to protect yourself from exhaust gases in an apartment, you need to determine the source of their appearance. In the vast majority of cases, exhausts penetrate through windows. In this case best solution will install sealed double-glazed windows, and carry out ventilation using high-quality

In the course of the development of mankind, accompanied by an increase in the population and its consumer needs, the development of light and especially heavy industry, as well as motor transport, a wide variety of chemicals are released into the atmosphere surrounding man. Exhaust gases from running vehicles account for about 90% of the total pollution.

General characteristic of exhaust gases

Car exhaust gases are a combination of two hundred to three hundred chemical compounds which are considered quite harmful. They are obtained by burning various automotive fuel and escape into the open air.

According to statistics, on average, one passenger car emits about one kilogram of various toxic and carcinogenic substances into the atmosphere per day. Moreover, such substances are able to accumulate and be in environment up to 5 years. Exhaust gases bring obvious harm to human health, vegetation, animals, as well as soil and water resources.

Exhaust gases have the greatest negative impact on the human body in large cities, especially when they are in traffic jams for many hours, in areas of highways and major road junctions.

When physical and chemical characteristics such emissions into the air exceed the permissible concentrations, then such exhaust gases have a significant negative impact on human well-being. At increased risk are drivers, especially those working on minibuses and taxis, as well as people who very often stand in many kilometers of traffic jams on the roads during peak traffic hours.

Diesel-powered vehicles are more harmful than gasoline or gas-powered vehicles, and produce more soot.

Exhaust emissions act immediately directly on internal organs breathing, and in children younger age much more than in adults. This is because the largest concentration of emissions is at the level of the face of young children.

The composition and volume of exhaust gases that pollute the atmosphere

Composed of exhaust gases different types fuel, there may be such harmful elements:

• oxides of nitrogen and carbon;
• nitrogen and sulfur dioxides;
• sulfurous anhydride;
• benzopyrene;
• aldehydes;
• aromatic hydrocarbons;
• some soot;
• various lead compounds;
• suspended particles.

According to statistics, trucks and buses produce more exhaust gases than cars. This fact is directly related to the mode of operation and the volume of internal combustion engines of cars.

For example, passenger car gives about 220 mg / m 3 of carbon monoxide per day, a bus 230 mg / m 3, and a small truck as much as 500 mg / m 3. A passenger car gives 45 mg/m 3 of nitric oxide, a bus 18 mg/m 3 , and a small truck 70 mg/m 3 . Also, a bus, unlike a passenger car, constantly emits sulfur and carbon oxides, as well as lead compounds, into the air.

It is important to remember that exhaust gases from cars are almost 90% of the pollution of the entire volume of air around a person. One car is capable of delivering up to one kilogram of such harmful compounds into the air in just a day.

The effect of exhaust gases on the human body

Due to the content of harmful and even toxic substances in the exhaust gases of cars, as well as the constant action of such elements on human organs, they can cause the development of acute and chronic diseases.

For the respiratory system, the following diseases are characteristic:

• allergic reactions;
• asthma;
• bronchitis;
• sinusitis;
• the formation of malignant tumors;
• airway inflammation;
• emphysema.

For the cardiovascular system, such diseases are characteristic:

• respiratory disorders in the form of shortness of breath;
• dizziness;
• an increase in the manifestation of signs of angina pectoris;
• myocardial infarction;
• blood viscosity, as a result - thrombosis, thromboembolism;
• oxygen starvation, the so-called tissue hypoxia.

Nerve cells are characterized by the development of such disorders:

• general malaise;
• increased excitability;
• drowsiness and persistent sleep disturbance.

Chemical compounds that are in the composition of exhaust gases, especially heavy metals, are characterized by the ability to accumulate in the body. As a result, slagging of the body begins with the subsequent development of serious diseases.

The greatest volume of toxins is present in the exhaust gases when the engine is idling and at reduced speeds. Under such modes, poor fuel burnup occurs and the waste of unburned fuel elements in an amount more than ten times higher than the emissions in the standard mode of the car.

According to the degree of action on a person, the components of exhaust gases can be divided into five groups:

1. The first group includes low-toxic chemical elements of the exhaust gases of a running engine. These include nitrogen compounds, hydrogen, water vapor, oxygen, carbon dioxide and other components of the atmosphere. Such substances do not directly harm human health, but contribute to the occurrence adverse conditions the existence of people, as they affect the composition of the surrounding air.
2. The second group includes carbon monoxide, which is a strong poisonous substance. You can get poisoned with carbon monoxide when the car engine is running in a garage with tightly closed gates or spending the night in a car with the engine running. Carbon monoxide causes oxygen starvation and, as a result, dysfunction of all internal systems human body. The degree of carbon monoxide intoxication is determined by its concentration, duration of action and the immunity of the person affected by such a substance. With mild poisoning, the heartbeat quickens, there is a pulsation in the temples and it darkens in the eyes. For medium poisoning, drowsiness and unclear consciousness are characteristic. A severe degree of gas poisoning with a concentration of more than 1% leads to confusion, and in exceptional cases, even to death.
3. The third group includes nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide contained in car exhaust gases. They are considered more toxic elements than carbon monoxide. So, nitrogen dioxide is heavier than air and spreads along the floor, accumulates in niches and channels, and at elevated concentrations is very dangerous when regular maintenance cars. With prolonged exposure to such gases, a person can get asthma, pulmonary edema, chronic bronchitis, inflammation of the digestive mucosa, heart failure and nervous disorders.
4. The fourth group is the most numerous in terms of the number of substances. This includes a wide variety of hydrocarbons such as paraffinic alkanes, naphthenic cyclanes and certain aromatic benzenes. There are about 160 such compounds. These substances are poisonous and adversely affect the functions of the cardiovascular system. In addition, hydrocarbon compounds are carcinogens and contribute to the emergence and growth of malignant tumors;
5. The fifth group includes organic aldehydes such as formaldehyde, acrolein and acetaldehyde. Such substances are also toxic and are products of fuel burnout when the engine is running at low speed or at low loads, if the temperature of the exhaust gases is low. Harmful effect of such compounds is expressed in irritation of the mucous membranes, damage to the internal respiratory organs and nerve cells.
6. The sixth group includes soot and small items resulting from wear and internal deposits on the engine, as well as the addition of aerosols and oils. Such particles do not have a direct negative impact on human health, but easily irritate the respiratory tract and collect hazardous components on their surface.

The development of science and technology, which makes it possible to increase the comfort of people's lives, in addition to benefits, also brings harm, such as exhaust gases from vehicles. Exhaust gas deaths are uncommon and are thought to be the result of vehicle mishandling.