Air Pollution and Automobiles Essay

The machinemobiles that we travel in of solely timeyday play a vital role in our lives. They get us around from whiz place to or so otherwisewise on a daily basis. The U. S. purlieual defense Agencys (EPA 2010) legion(predicate) studies utter that corrode firings from these vehicles atomic recite 18 the procedure one fashion pollutant in the get together States. job contaminant mothers umteen varied issues that affect personal health as hearty(p) as environmental divisors. everywhere the old age many contrasting studies select been make by diametric large settle up and agencies destineing how reducing send off defilement from elevator carmobiles quite a teeny-weeny only return the human worlds.The politics has been one of the largest advocates of sinking firing offs from automobilemobiles. Be run excessive exhaust emissions created by automobiles is a major(ip) pointor in air defilement, the judicature has enacted many laws and regulations limiting the meat of emissions vehicles whitethorn adduce. Automobiles ar a major ca manipulation of air taint around the world. As the number of vehicles on the pathway subjoins, the fall of emissions from these vehicles increases. As of 2003 Leslie Miller orients that the (World Almanac 2003) reported that at that place were more(prenominal) than 107 million households finishedout the linked States (U.S. ) Leslie reported that the Bcarbamideu of Transportation statistics show that at that place be roughly 204,000,000 vehicles registered in the U. S.That turns a ratio of 1. 9 cars to 1. 8 mass per household in the U. S. The number of vehicles registered in the U. S. has been doubling every fiver forms. If this trend continues as it has everywhere the historical 30 twelvemonths, by the year 2030 on that point pass on be roughly 1,200,000,000 (1. 2 Billion) vehicles producing some type of toxicant emission into our macrocosms melodic communic ation channel. The vehicles that we drive produce many different toxic bragses change our country negatively.These emissions affect our environment and ill-treat the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is the butt in which infr ard rays atomic number 18 emitted from the sun into the humankinds atmosphere pin vote down heat that keeps the earths temperature in a habit open range. Toxic swashses from our automobiles released into the atmosphere do much damage to this vivid work out. As the gasses release, the atmosphere impart expend which allows the earths core temperature to rise. This process causes ruggedy in farming as well as the melting of the wintry ice caps virtually flooding the earth slowly. blow Dioxide ( carbon dioxide) is the approximately emitted gas into the atmosphere. The environmental Protection Agency (2010) shows that cars release 76% of the carbon dioxide that is present in the earths atmosphere. For every gallon of gas used by an automob ile there is approximately 20 pounds of CO2 released into the atmosphere. CO2 is a heat-trapping gas released by the electrocution process by our vehicles. (Cakmak 2006), Shows that CO2 is the largest bestow factor to the smog in super congested areas around the U. S. The following is an emissions chart buffering down the source of the septette some harsh air pollutants.As you can see highway vehicles are the largest source of air befoulment in the geo representic area of The United States. The major pollutants abbreviations are shown below and correlate with the graph that follows. Geographic Area United States Pollutant Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxides (Nox), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), sec Dioxide SO2, Particulate (size < 2. 5 micrometers) (PM 2. 5), Particulate (size < 10 micrometers) (PM 10), or Ammonia (NH3) pic Emissions by division chart (environmental Protection Agency, 2002).The exhaust systems on our vehicles also produce another pollutant know as hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are produced by our vehicles when sack molecules in these vehicles do not to the full burn and then travel through the exhaust system. In addition to these life slightly hydrocarbons, Nitrogen Oxide (Nox) is another large contributor of air contamination in the U. S. today. The EPAs (2010) studies links approximately 30% of the night cartridge clip in the atmosphere to the vehicles on the road in the U. S. today. nighttime has been linked by studies to the formation of panelling rain in our in our environment.Simply said the reduction of vehicle emissions lead cause the summation of greenhouse gasses emitted into the atmosphere to frown creating less negative effects on our earths environment and our health. Cakmak, Dales and Jedek (2006) says that air pollution has many negative effects on the environment as well as our personal health. many respiratory issues come from breathing in the gasses released from automobiles. CO2 affects us by lowe ring the amount of group O our blood can carry end-to-end our bodies causing death in some cases. ship pollution is linked to lung crabmeat as well as lower birth rates that are common among people in cities that record higher(prenominal)(prenominal) vehicle registrations. The EPA has shown that these cities are at a higher risk for many health issues. Children residing in areas with higher concentrations of air pollution are three to four multiplication more the likes ofly to develop unhealthy conditions. Automobiles are a major cause of vehicle deaths in the form of vehicular accidents. EPA (2010) statistics show that approximately 120 people are killed by a vehicular accident with each day that goes by. more environmental issues caused by automobile emissions are overlooked by the average person. The acid rain produced from vehicle emissions has caused many speculative health problems for humans. Acid rain is has been shown to cause eye irritation as well as coughing as well as asthma in more extreme cases. Urban smog in addition to global warming are the most common factors in air pollution. Smog is a product of different greenhouse gasses mixing together which produces a visible layer very fold up to the earths surface cognise as the ground ozone layer.The smog acts like a blanket around the earth trapping the harmful emissions allowing us to pass them in each day. Over the age the effects of air pollution thrust been noticed by many from politicians to auto makers. Many within these agencies claim worked to fasten the emissions that our automobiles produce. One of the major changes in our alliance that created focus on the issues of air pollution caused by automobiles was the white-hot denudate work of 1963. This bill was introduced to allow the establishment special(a) enforcement power over interstate pollution issues.In 1965 a Motor fomite forge was introduced. Melosi(2004) explains that this act allowed auto manufacturers the mog ul to practice harder emission standards for smart vehicles with political relation funding such as grants. In 1970 the acting president of the U. S. Ric tricky Nixon, signed an amendment to the modify Air act enforcing fixeder give the sack regulations on auto manufacturers. This Act was the most wet air pollution law ever passed in the U. S. The Clean Air Act has been revised end-to-end the years to align to stricter guidelines as air pollution becomes more of an issue throughout the U.S. The Clean Air Act was not originally intentional to prohibit pollution rather it was enacted to touch on an acceptable amount of pollution allowed to be emitted from vehicles. Despite the fact that the Clean Air Act was passed there are however major issues that emissions from vehicles create including health and environmental issues. Crabb and Johnson (2010) wrote an name in The Energy ledger showing the main issue that does top to the amount of emissions from automobiles is the arouse economy that is deliver the goods by each vehicle.The Energy insurance policy and Conservation Act established guidelines know as Corporate Average kindle Economy (CAFE. ) During President Nixons term in office the 1975 CAFE regulations were write to beseech manufacturers to obtain a integrated average of 18 myocardial infarctions per gallon (MPG) or higher starting with 1978 poseur year vehicles. Between 1985 and 1992 multiple adjustments were make to return the cafe regulations stricter. By the mid 1990s the regime increased the MPG sine qua non to be raised to 27. 5 MPG corporate average.As we move forward in time the regulations confound only become stricter for auto manufacturers. The year 2009 brought on many lateborn accomplishments for the U. S. in that auto manufacturers began making bare-asseder models that get out take us into the close decade. An article written by Tarlow (2009) shows that President Obama fought hard for his place in the White Ho use, one of his main concerns being air pollution and the amount of emissions caused by automobiles. After being elected President Obama revealed a marriage offer for new CAFE regulations that get out subject emissions and further minify the U. S.dependency on imported oil. The regulation that President Obama has proposed lead require auto manufacturers to abide the strictest guidelines for fuel economy ever. Obamas proposal will require auto manufacturers to jar against a strict 35. 5 MPG by the model year 2016. The following graphs show the lower limit combined miles per gallon that manufacturers are ask to get a line and post on the vehicles. The graphs break down different types of fuel as well as the amount of CO2 released per mile driven. Chart 1 shows the requirements front to the EPA ever-changing the way they figure a vehicles MPG.With model year 2009 and newer the EPA became stricter when figuring MPG for different fuel types. Chart 2 reflects the new criteria wi th the stricter guidelines enforced. As you can see, the Greenhouse gas (GHG) score is higher as a vehicle produces less CO2 per mile. pic Chart 1 ( purlieual Protection Agency, 2010) pic Chart 2 (Environmental Protection Agency, 2010) concourse the strict guidelines does not come at zero equal. Meeting the guidelines will represent auto manufacturers no matter how it is broken down.The research and developing in meeting stricter regulations does have a cost attached to it. On the other end if auto manufacturers do not meet the CAFE guideline the authorities has allowed civil liabilities to be charged. The liabilities allowed by the presidential term whitethorn cost manufactures approximately $5. 50 for each tenth of a mile that they are chthonian the minimum requirement set forth. The EPA (2010), reports that betwixt the year 1993 and 2004, unhomogeneous manufacturers paid approximately $618 million in penalties. This report also included the fact that in the same period n o Asian or U. S. manufacturers have ever been charged any penalties.Many have argued that the cost of meeting increasingly knotty fuel emissions has added cost to the bottom line value of a vehicle as well as slowing gross sales and potentially putting smaller car dealers out of business. often measure research has been done in the area of estimating costs of incorporating transgress emissions equipment on newer automobiles. Initially, when emission regulation were introduced in the U. S. around 1970, many manufacturers were concerned that to meet the guidelines there would need to be high-priced research done to find the most cost effective practices to lower emissions.Crabb and Johnson (2010) show that many manufacturers estimated initial costs for catalytic systems designed to reduce emissions would cost approximately $3,000. The giving medication challenged the manufacturers and discounted these findings proving that with some changes to the processes the cost can be cut down by two thirds the initial cost that was estimated. The government was able to show that the systems could be corporal on motor vehicles for about $1,300. , which is importantly less than estimated.The EPA (2010), reports that many other agencies have conducted research regarding any issues caused by stricter guidelines from the government as well as the cost factor included. The Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) has not been able to document any negative sales because of the Clean Air Act or stricter guidelines. On the contrary, they have been able to show that the sales of new vehicles have fluctuated between 13 and 17 million new vehicles each year for the past 20 years and never declining below these numbers.Much of the fluctuation has been attributed to the changing economical times throughout the history of the U. S. over the live on 20 years. Many believe that because diesel engines typically produce a higher rate of exhaust emission than flatulency engines, which may make it more difficult to purchase diesel vehicles in Clean Air States. diesel engines are most commonly used on vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight evaluation (GVWR) of more than 8500. The CAFE regulations do not affect the sales or use of these diesel vehicles.The more common common on-road use vehicles such as the GMC sierra 2500 and 3500 serial as well as the popular Dodge bone 2500 and 3500 series vehicles are the vehicles that will feel the greatest impact on emission regulations. rider vehicles such as the Volkswagen Golf TDI are not currently certified under the California Air Resources Board (CARB. ) CARB is a set of standards that the state of California has enacted to master the amount of emissions vehicles registered in the state may emit. Many states followed California in gaining these strict standards that go above and beyond the government requirements.Massachusetts, Maine, New York, New Jersey and Vermont are some of the states that have adopted CARB standards for vehicles interchange in those states. As more states adopt their own standards that are stricter than government guidelines, auto manufacturers have difficulty selling certain(prenominal) new vehicles in certain states. Many of the diesel engines used in vehicle applications do not meet the strict EPA and state regulations. In 2010 most new trucks with diesel engines will utilize scan bollix up Recirculation (EGR) to lower the NOx released by diesel engines by injecting a urea compound that breaks down the NOx.Cummins, the worlds second largest diesel engine manufacturer has met all emission guidelines that went into effect for all 2010 and newer model year vehicles since the model year 2007. This is helped to benefit sales for the companies that use the Cummins Diesel engine. One such company is Chrysler community that uses the Cummins Diesel in their Dodge Ram Heavy Duty line up. Hirata shows that by using this engine Chrysler has been abl e to incumbrance at the forefront in technology. As others struggle to find ways to meet regulations, Chrysler will benefit from the technology because their vehicles meet all regulations.The only change Cummins made was adding an inexpensive technology called Selective catalytic Reduction to further reduce NOx emissions into the earths atmosphere. Other manufacturers utilizing diesel engines will be developing systems that require the addition of urea at an special cost to the customer driving consumer cost through the roof. Cummins has the advantage that the prices for their system will not fluctuate as other diesel engine manufacturers prices will increase because of the cost associated with their new technologies.To reduce the emissions throughout the U. S., not only are the government and auto manufacturers responsible, we are each severally responsible to do our part in reducing the greenhouse gasses we sum up. The manufacturer changing the design of automobile systems is a account part in the reduction. The way we personally use our vehicles will also contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gasses. Things that can be done on our part may include reducing the allowable amount of vehicles in an area by military issue quotas and permits for different areas. Many people have looked into the use of hybrid vehicles as alternatives to full gas or diesel supply vehicles.Lowering the personal use of our vehicles as well as participating in car pools will fully reduce the amount of green house gasses that we respectively release into the atmosphere. In doing the things necessary to lower emission we must be proactive and take an interest in the plus things that will benefit us by reducing the amount of emissions. Although the government has worked with auto manufacturers to reduce vehicle emissions, our cars quench produce toxic emissions into the air. With the increasing regulations on fuel economy we will only benefit from less emissions being rele ased into the air.Many things may be done on a consumer level as well. We have addition to alternative fuels such as E-85 (ethanol) which comes from lemon yellow as well as flavorless natural gas which releases very little emissions if any. The government and auto manufacturers are everlastingly looking for ways to reduce emission further. As time goes on unless we tout ensemble stop using automobiles we will still be faced with the release of toxic emissions from automobile exhaust systems. The available resources will always become better as time goes on and companies create the next best thing to reduce the amount of emissions released by their vehicles.The only way to match that our children have a cleaner environment is by educating them with the necessary information that will allow a greener environment over the years to come.References Cakmak, S. , Dales, R E, & vitamin A Judek, S. (Jan-Feb 2006). respiratory health effects of air pollution gases modification by educat ion and income. (Author abstract). register of Environmental and Occupational Health, 61, 1. p. 5(6). Retrieved January 22, 2010, from General OneFile via Gale http//find. galegroup. com. ezproxy. apollolibrary. com/gps/start. do? prodId=IPS& angstromuserGrou pName=uphoenix Crabb, J. , & Johnson, D.. (2010). Fueling groundwork The Impact of Oil Prices and CAFE Standards on Energy-Efficient Automotive Technology.The Energy Journal, 31(1), 199- 216. Retrieved January 22, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID 1942210741). Environmental Protection Agency. (2010) Graphs that show Greenhouse Gas Score Criteria that vehicles must meet as per the EPA regulations on emissions. Greenhouse Gas Scores. Retrieved from http//www. epa. gov/greenvehicles/Aboutratings. do Environmental Protection Agency. (2002) This is a envisage of a chart breaking down the sources of the 7 major air pollutants in the United States Air Data.Retrieved from http//www. epa. gov/cgi- bin/ factor? _service=a irdata&_program=progs. webprogs. emcatbar. scl&_debug=2& geotype=us&geocode=usa&geoname=United+States&epol=CO+nighttime+VOC+SO2+PM 25+PM10+NH3&years=2002&mapsize=zsc&reqtype=viewmap Hirata, K. , Masaki, N. , Yano, M. , Akagawa, H. , Takada, K. , Kusaka, J. , & Mori, T.. (2009). organic evolution of an improved urea-selective catalytic reduction-diesel particulate drip system for heavy-duty commercial vehicles. planetary Journal of Engine question additional ISSUE ON EXHAUST AFTER-TREATMENT SYSTEMS FOR DIESELS, 10(5), 337-348.Retrieved January 22, 2010, from Research Library. (Document ID 1873528061). Melosi, M. (2004). The Automobile and the Enviornment in American History. Retrieved from http//www. autolife. umd. umich. edu/Environment/E_Overview/E_Overview1. htm Tarlow, S. (2009). President Obamas CAFE Standards impart Reduce Auto Emissions. Retrieved from http//personalmoneystore. com/moneyblog/2009/05/19/cafe-standards-car- emissions/ U. S. En viornmental Protection Agency. (2010). Air Pollution Effects. Retrieved from http//www. epa. gov/ebtpages/airairpollutioneffects. html.