What are the harmful gases emitted by vehicles?
2 Answers
Mainly include: carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, smoke particles, and foul odors. Smoke particles contain certain heavy metal compounds, lead compounds, black smoke, and oil mist. The hazards of harmful gases emitted by vehicles are as follows: 1. Excessive emission of harmful gases from vehicles can cause a sharp increase in urban temperatures. Since the harmful gases emitted by vehicles include carbon dioxide, excessive carbon dioxide can lead to the greenhouse effect and damage the ozone layer. After the ozone layer is destroyed, the sun will directly irradiate the Earth's surface, causing temperatures to rise. 2. It can harm human health. After inhaling vehicle exhaust, the human respiratory system can be damaged. 3. It can disrupt the Earth's ecology and climate. In recent years, the emission of harmful gases from vehicles has increased, often leading to phenomena such as acid rain and black rain, which can affect the extinction of organisms.
As a driver who's on the road every day, I've noticed that vehicles emit quite a few harmful gases, typically falling into three or four main categories. Carbon monoxide is the most dangerous—it's colorless and odorless but can easily cause dizziness or even suffocation because it's produced when gasoline doesn't burn completely. Then there are nitrogen oxides, which sound technical but are actually those pungent smells that make you cough and your eyes water, especially in traffic jams, affecting respiratory health. Hydrocarbons, like benzene and formaldehyde, contribute to acid rain and smog, damaging vegetation and polluting the air. Finally, particulate matter, such as black soot, can get lodged in your lungs and cause chronic illnesses. Although carbon dioxide isn’t directly toxic, excessive emissions contribute to the greenhouse effect and global warming, making it harmful in its own way. I try to maintain a steady speed while driving, avoiding sudden acceleration or getting stuck in traffic, to reduce emissions a bit. After all, exhaust problems don’t just harm people—they damage the environment too, so we should start by being mindful ourselves. Keeping your vehicle well-maintained, ensuring the engine doesn’t leak oil or deteriorate, can also make a big difference.