The level of toxicity that many people do not know when driving cars today

Many countries around the world have set a roadmap to eliminate internal combustion engine vehicles to completely switch to the production and circulation of clean energy vehicles, including electric vehicles. This policy is within the framework of implementing commitments to combat global climate change. However, during the "green transition" process , interest groups still emerge to delay this roadmap.

Recently, the Car From Japan page posted a comprehensive article related to the downside of internal combustion engine cars. In terms of technical principles, car engines create driving energy by burning fuel such as gasoline and oil and converting heat into mechanical energy. This process releases a number of toxic gases such as nitrogen-oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO ₂ ), benzene (C ₆ H ₆ ), formaldehyde (CH ₂ O) and soot . All of these gases pollute the environment , contributing to the greenhouse effect, damage to the ozone layer and habitat destruction. In particular, they cause serious harm to human health.

The Drive page cites statistical results of market research company Hedges & Company, by 2023 it is estimated that there will be about 1.47 billion cars in circulation worldwide. This number includes electric cars and hybrid cars, but the percentage is very small.

Let's look at the truth: How do the internal combustion engines that make up the majority of the world actually pollute the air?

The huge number of cars brings a large amount of toxic emissions into the environment. (Photo: Faz).

Emits 51% of toxic CO gas

One of the most shocking figures is that motor vehicles running on fossil fuels are producing about 51% of carbon monoxide (CO). This gas contributes to smog, reduces air quality and is the leading cause of death in gas poisoning cases.

Emits 31% of toxic CO _{2 gas}

Along with CO gas, carbon dioxide (CO2) is also a toxic compound that pollutes the air. 31% of CO2 in the atmosphere is emitted from internal combustion engine cars. Too much of this gas in the environment is harmful to human health and detrimental to the ozone layer. CO2 gas is also the main cause of the greenhouse effect, causing the earth's temperature to become increasingly warmer.

Emits 34% toxic NOx gas

Statistics show that motor vehicles running on gasoline and oil also emit nearly 34% of the total amount of nitrogen-oxide (NOx) and all volatile substances into the environment. These factors are not only dangerous to human health but also to animal and plant life.

A boy wears a mask to reduce the harmful effects of air pollution caused by cars in Beijing. (Photo: ShutterStock).

Indirectly causes acid rain

In addition to the toxic gases mentioned above, the car's exhaust system also emits many other toxic gas components such as nitrogen dioxide (NO ₂ ), sulfur dioxide (SO ₂ ). These gases rise high, react with water and oxygen, and combine with many other toxic chemicals to form acid rain.

Acid rain causes death to plants and animals, poisons natural water sources such as rivers and lakes, and causes negative impacts on the environment.

Benzene and Formaldehyde cause cancer

Formaldehyde and benzene are used by manufacturers mainly in plastic parts of car dashboards, car mats, seats and adhesives used in car decorative panels. Both are carcinogens, with benzene possibly posing risks to reproductive and developmental health.

If sitting in a car to travel on the road every day for 20 minutes or more, the person sitting may shed tears for unknown reasons, which is a sign of the presence of these two gases in the car. The respiratory system is also very sensitive to this toxin. People who inhale it can experience dry throat, bronchitis, skin allergies, purpura, and even lung infections and hepatitis if formaldehyde concentrations are high.

Emissions from cars are one of the causes of global climate change. (Photo: LanaElcova)

It can be said that with more than 1.47 billion cars in circulation in the world, toxic gases and other components emitted by gasoline-powered motor vehicles are accelerating the pace of global warming. Everyone has been experiencing the negative effects of extreme climate change.

Today, the problem of air pollution caused by internal combustion engine cars is being addressed by governments through green transition strategies and transportation electrification such as switching completely to electric vehicles (EVs). ) and application of other clean energy technologies. Electric vehicles certainly do not produce harmful emissions like internal combustion engine vehicles, but they are also facing challenges when the power source is generated by coal-fired power sources. However, smokeless cars are still the main solution and the most optimal choice today for the community to join hands to protect a clean and green living environment.