What Are the Environmental Hazards of Automobile Exhaust?
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Automobile exhaust poses environmental hazards including the greenhouse effect, photochemical smog, and impacts on plant growth. Greenhouse Effect: Automobile pollution has become a global nuisance, and its 'contribution' to the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations cannot be ignored. The internal combustion engine of a car is essentially a mini chemical plant, consuming vast amounts of petroleum resources. Gasoline combustion generates driving force but also produces many complex chemical reactions, emitting large quantities of greenhouse gases that exacerbate the greenhouse effect. Photochemical Smog: Under certain conditions, these pollutants can form secondary pollution—photochemical smog, which poses even greater harm to human health. Photochemical smog is a complex type of smog generated when hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides from vehicle exhaust react under specific temperature conditions, such as calm winds, low humidity, high temperatures, and prolonged sunlight exposure. Impact on Plant Growth: Automobile exhaust can also affect plant growth, especially when the concentration of exhaust reaches a certain level, leading to the acidification of soil and water sources, which naturally impacts the growth of certain plants.