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What kind of pollution does the exhaust pipe of a car emit?

As is well known, the gases emitted by tubes of escape vehicles are one of the main causes of the increase in emissions, particularly of greenhouse gases, responsible for advancing climate change. Regardless of whether it is a diesel or gasoline car, the smoke from the exhaust pipe is caused by the combustion of the air-fuel mixture and both elements are those that enter the combustion chamber in different proportions that, among other factors , will depend on the type of engine.

The proportion of air and fuel has an influence on the emission of polluting gases , among other hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO). Previously, the harmful lead was also included. At AgroCorrn, we answer the question of what type of pollution emits from the exhaust pipe of a car.

You may also be interested in: What pollutes more diesel or gasoline
Index
  1. Emission control
  2. Gasoline engines
  3. Diesel engines
  4. What pollutes more, diesel or gasoline?

Emission control

The engine is unable to control the percentages of air and fuel that enter the combustion chamber. In order to control the mixture in minimally modern cars, a sensor is introduced to regulate what goes into the engine.

Located at the outlet of the engine’s exhaust manifold, its objective is to analyze the exhaust gases by constantly sending information to the electronic management of the engine in order to adjust the mixture proportions according to what the vehicle’s operation demands. Of course, except for scandals like Volkswagen, always within the limits set by the regulations.

Given what the German emissions fraud has brought us, this self-regulation can act for or against environmental pollution and, therefore, public health.

Be that as it may, even the least polluting cars that use conventional fuel contain a high percentage of harmful components , such as those mentioned. While it is true that, as long as we are not facing a breakdown or anomaly, less than two percent of the gases are harmful, they are tremendously harmful, so their control is a priority in environmental policies. Although, of course, it should be much more.

Without going into dramatic global warming, exhaust gases are a serious health threat. Tropospheric ozone, the result of the reaction between sunlight, nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons emitted by cars and industries, is very dangerous for health.

When we breathe it in, our lung function reduces and the risks of suffering from respiratory diseases increase. In turn, the particles that enter our body through the lungs pass into the bloodstream, with what this means for the worsening of chronic and cardiovascular diseases, among many others.

In fact, the WHO continues to warn about the many premature deaths caused by this type of contamination . In turn, this type of “bad” ozone, which belongs to the group of “secondary pollution”, since it is not produced directly, also damages the environment.

Gasoline engines

The polluting gases emitted by gasoline engines are carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx) and carbon dioxide or CO2, a powerful greenhouse gas. .

Let’s advance that, in general, gasoline cars pollute less than diesel cars, but obviously more than a hybrid or electric car.

However, this is not always the case. As is often the case everywhere, exceptions exist and, as such, they prove the rule. In this case, as an example we will cite the curious conclusion of a study by TÜV Nord, in which it is stated that modern direct injection gasoline engines emitted up to ten times more polluting particles than diesel ones.

Diesel engines

In a diesel engine exhaust gases are mainly nitrogen oxides (NOx), unburned hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide of carbon (CO), carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide (Cox), the aldehydes and soot microparticles (Mp) from coal.

The proportion of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are considerably lower than in the exhaust gases produced by the gasoline engine, although the NOx is higher than that of the gasoline engine.

NOx react with compounds organic volatiles (VOCs) from the atmosphere to produce smog, which blows in the sunny and warm days. Its effects on the environment (for example, they are responsible for acid rain) and health have made many headlines, especially because of the negative reports that scientists spread.

According to EPA claims, smog can worsen the effects of numerous pathologies, such as bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema and asthma, especially in people with low defenses, such as children, the sick and the convalescing.

What pollutes more, diesel or gasoline?

The study “Urban air quality, health and road traffic” carried out by the Institut de Ciènces de la Terra Jaume Almera clearly concludes that diesel vehicles quadruple the pollution of comparable gasoline vehicles.

Consuming less fuel does not mean polluting less. On the contrary, its pollution is heavier, that is, it rises less, in addition to emitting much higher levels of NO2 and suspended particles that we inhale. Yes, the diesel nineties were more harmful, but the technology still has a long way to reduce emissions to make it compatible with more liveable cities and, finally, with an environment more healthy .

If you want to read more articles similar to What kind of pollution does the exhaust pipe of a car emit? , we recommend that you enter our Pollution category .

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Hello, I am a blogger specialized in environmental, health and scientific dissemination issues in general. The best way to define myself as a blogger is by reading my texts, so I encourage you to do so. Above all, if you are interested in staying up to date and reflecting on these issues, both on a practical and informative level.

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