While today’s automobile manufacturers are concerned with producing electric hybrid cars, a number of consumer advocates continue to warn these manufacturers that energy efficiency is only one issue among many when it comes to environmental safety.
Although consumers are aware of the dangers of toxins in emissions, many aren’t aware that automobiles can produce toxic health hazards in other ways as well. Of primary concern is the number of harmful substances still being used in the manufacture of automobile parts. While some of these parts are located in the engine of the car, others are found in car interiors as well. These engine parts and interior accessories expose drivers, passengers and car mechanics to certain substances that, at a high level, are toxic enough to produce adverse health reactions.
Here are a number of potentially threatening substances used by the automobile industry:
• Asbestos: Mostly in older vehicles, car makers have long been using asbestos to line brakes, clutch assemblies and brake pads, as well as to reinforce gaskets and other parts. Car mechanics and car owners potentially expose themselves to asbestos every time they raise the hood of a car, because each time the asbestos is moved or jarred, the fibers break away and pollute the air. Asbestos exposure is a proven cause of mesothelioma cancer, an often-fatal disease that attacks the lungs. While mesothelioma has been in the news lately because of the proven links to asbestos, many people still don’t realize that asbestos may be found right under the hood of the family car.
• Carbon monoxide and other pollutants: Most people are aware that carbon monoxide is released in the air through the emissions caused by automotive exhaust. While this is a known health hazard, many people don’t realize that there are other pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide, that are also released into the air as well. Medical research and environmental experts have proven that exposure to these substances can cause a threat to respiratory health, and there are a number of lung and even heart problems that can result from too much exposure to these substances.
• Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is just one of the chemicals that can be propelled into the air from the engine of a new car via the air conditioning system. Because of this, experts say that it’s better to turn off the air conditioner in a new car for a couple of months and air out the car completely by rolling the windows down.
• Lead: Traces of lead, bromine and chlorine are often found in the plastic used for interior car accessories such as children’s safety seats and door handles. The substances bromine, chlorine and copper are also found in these plastic parts. At high levels, these substances can pollute the atmosphere and cause gastrointestinal and respiratory health conditions.
As consumer advocates continue to petition the automotive industry to enforce safer industry standards, it’s important to educate ourselves as to the potential health hazards that may exist inside every automobile.
by; Brian Turner (brian.turner752@gmail.com)
Although consumers are aware of the dangers of toxins in emissions, many aren’t aware that automobiles can produce toxic health hazards in other ways as well. Of primary concern is the number of harmful substances still being used in the manufacture of automobile parts. While some of these parts are located in the engine of the car, others are found in car interiors as well. These engine parts and interior accessories expose drivers, passengers and car mechanics to certain substances that, at a high level, are toxic enough to produce adverse health reactions.
Here are a number of potentially threatening substances used by the automobile industry:
• Asbestos: Mostly in older vehicles, car makers have long been using asbestos to line brakes, clutch assemblies and brake pads, as well as to reinforce gaskets and other parts. Car mechanics and car owners potentially expose themselves to asbestos every time they raise the hood of a car, because each time the asbestos is moved or jarred, the fibers break away and pollute the air. Asbestos exposure is a proven cause of mesothelioma cancer, an often-fatal disease that attacks the lungs. While mesothelioma has been in the news lately because of the proven links to asbestos, many people still don’t realize that asbestos may be found right under the hood of the family car.
• Carbon monoxide and other pollutants: Most people are aware that carbon monoxide is released in the air through the emissions caused by automotive exhaust. While this is a known health hazard, many people don’t realize that there are other pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide, that are also released into the air as well. Medical research and environmental experts have proven that exposure to these substances can cause a threat to respiratory health, and there are a number of lung and even heart problems that can result from too much exposure to these substances.
• Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is just one of the chemicals that can be propelled into the air from the engine of a new car via the air conditioning system. Because of this, experts say that it’s better to turn off the air conditioner in a new car for a couple of months and air out the car completely by rolling the windows down.
• Lead: Traces of lead, bromine and chlorine are often found in the plastic used for interior car accessories such as children’s safety seats and door handles. The substances bromine, chlorine and copper are also found in these plastic parts. At high levels, these substances can pollute the atmosphere and cause gastrointestinal and respiratory health conditions.
As consumer advocates continue to petition the automotive industry to enforce safer industry standards, it’s important to educate ourselves as to the potential health hazards that may exist inside every automobile.
by; Brian Turner (brian.turner752@gmail.com)
