There are a variety of emissions that are generated by motor vehicles. The major types of motor vehicle emissions are:
- Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5)
- Mono-nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Ground level ozone (O3)
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Other toxics
PARTICULATE MATTER (PM10 and PM2.5)
Particulate matter is solid or liquid particles that are suspended in a gas. They can affect the heart and lungs and are responsible for millions of premature deaths worldwide every year. Black carbon or soot, an element of PM, is the second-most significant cause of climate change according to a recent study. (click here to see more details)
NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO2) AND NITROGEN OXIDES (NOx)
Nitrogen dioxide and other nitrogen oxides are highly reactive gasses. They contribute to the formation of ground level ozone, and also have their own adverse effects on the respiratory system. (click here to see more details)
VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCs)
Volatile organic compounds combine with NOx to form ground level ozone. (click here to see more details)
GROUND LEVEL OZONE
Ground level ozone is formed by the interaction of VOCs and NOx in the presence of sunlight. It is the main component of smog, and can cause serious respiratory health problems. It is also a gas that contributes to global warming. (click here to see more details)
CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)
Carbon monoxide is a gas that is colorless and odorless. It reduces the delivery of oxygen to the organs of the human body, and can be deadly. (click here to see more details)
CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)
Carbon dioxide is a gas that produces a greenhouse effect, and 97% of climate researchers agree that it is the cause of the current changes in average temperatures referred to as global warming or climate change. (click here to see more details)
OTHER TOXICS
Other toxics include benzene, which can damage the bone marrow, suppress the immune system, and cause leukemia and other blood cancers. (click here to see more details)
*[Note: technical information about pollutants from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) web pages, accessed May, 2013, available at http://www2.epa.gov/learn-issues/learn-about-air.]
