What are the harmful gases emitted by vehicles?
2 Answers
Vehicles emit harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, lead, etc. Here is a detailed introduction to the harmful gases emitted by vehicles: Hazards: Vehicle exhaust not only poses risks to humans but also has toxic effects on plants. Secondary pollutants in the exhaust, such as ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrate, can cause necrotic spots and dry patches on plant leaves. Ethylene can affect the flowering and fruiting of plants. Vehicle exhaust is particularly harmful to crops like sugar beets, spinach, tomatoes, and tobacco. The reduction in crop yields along highways is significantly correlated with vehicle exhaust pollution.
Automobile emissions contain more than just one or two types of harmful gases. The most common and dangerous is carbon monoxide—this colorless, odorless gas can be deadly, especially in enclosed spaces like underground parking garages. Then there are the unburned hydrocarbons, which smell like gasoline and, under sunlight, react with other pollutants to form photochemical smog. Diesel vehicles are particularly prone to emitting black particulate matter, which can cause lung inflammation when inhaled. Nitrogen oxides are another major issue—they mix with rainwater to form acid rain and also irritate the respiratory tract. Hidden in exhaust fumes is sulfur dioxide, which smells like rotten eggs and worsens asthma symptoms with long-term exposure. Nowadays, many gas stations are equipped with vapor recovery systems to minimize the leakage of these pollutants.
