Cars pollute

(PDF) Tire Abrasion as a Major Source of Microplastics in the Environment

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326063101_Tire_Abrasion_as_a_Major_Source_of_Microplastics_in_the_Environment

30 vol% of the microplastic particles that pollute rivers, lakes and oceans consist of tire wear, thus affecting aquatic wildlife.

tire wear significantly contributes to the flux of microplastics into the environment

There is another study in the first referrer link.

E-bikes and their capability to reduce car CO2 emissions - ScienceDirect

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967070X21003401?via%3Dihub

Transport is responsible for 24% of global direct carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fuel combustion

How SUVs conquered the world – at the expense of its climate | Environment | The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/01/suv-conquered-america-climate-change-emissions

https://www.reddit.com/r/fuckcars/comments/rduyat/how_suvs_conquered_the_world_at_the_expense_of/

SUVs are not good for the environment. It is very shocking that just SUVs are second behind an entire industry. They are not aerodynamic, consumes a lot of gas.

SUVs were the second largest cause of the global rise in carbon dioxide emissions over the past decade, eclipsing all shipping, aviation, heavy industry and even trucks, usually the only vehicles to loom larger than them on the road.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from a Typical Passenger Vehicle | US EPA

https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/greenhouse-gas-emissions-typical-passenger-vehicle

https://www.reddit.com/r/fuckcars/comments/rgxwef/the_gigacyclist/

A typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year

Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions | US EPA

https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions

Transportation (27% of 2020 greenhouse gas emissions) – The transportation sector generates the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation primarily come from burning fossil fuel for our cars, trucks, ships, trains, and planes.

Cycling across Europe in the pandemic - BBC World Service - YouTube - BBC World Service

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cukx_BSQ0Ww

At 14:13, cars pollute which in turn makes people sick.

Vehicle emission declines decreased deaths, study finds

https://phys.org/news/2021-12-vehicle-emission-declines-decreased-deaths.html

https://www.reddit.com/r/fuckcars/comments/rjonhl/vehicle_emission_declines_decreased_deaths_study/

They pollute.

Harvard University researchers who study the environment and public health examined the impact of declines in emissions from vehicles over a decade. They found deaths dropped from 27,700 in 2008 to 19,800 in 2017 and that the economic benefits of the reduction in emissions totaled $270 billion.

Cars, planes, trains: where do CO2 emissions from transport come from? - Our World in Data

https://ourworldindata.org/co2-emissions-from-transport

Transport emit CO2 emissions. Here are some numbers from the article:

Transport accounts for around one-fifth of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions

Road travel accounts for three-quarters of transport emissions. Most of this comes from passenger vehicles – cars and buses.

Emissions by sector - Our World in Data

https://ourworldindata.org/emissions-by-sector

Road transport (11.9%): emissions from the burning of petrol and diesel from all forms of road transport which includes cars, trucks, lorries, motorcycles and buses.

Plastic from tyres ‘major source’ of ocean pollution - BBC News

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-39042655

https://www.reddit.com/r/fuckcars/comments/rmzz9t/turning_a_beautiful_beach_into_a_tracked_up/hpqxo1w/

Up to 30% of plastic released into the oceans each year comes from primary microplastics, not the disintegration of larger pieces, a report found.

Debris from tyre abrasion and synthetic fabrics are the main sources, they say

Tires join ‘ghost gear’ as debris that keeps killing marine life | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14500390

When tires sank to the bottom of the ocean, hermit crabs get stuck in them causing them to die.

If people understood the health damage caused by cars, they would be saying “fuck cars” too : fuckcars

https://www.reddit.com/r/fuckcars/comments/rpztaw/if_people_understood_the_health_damage_caused_by/

This is an image of how cars emit ultra fine particles.

Cyclists ‘exposed to less air pollution than drivers’ on busy routes | Air pollution | The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/13/cyclists-exposed-to-less-air-pollution-than-drivers-on-congested-routes-study

Even in a car, you are exposed to more pollution than on a bicycle. That is because cyclists spent less time in traffic congestion than people in cars.

How humans could live two years longer: Cut air pollution - Vox

https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/22691558/air-pollution-deaths-mortality-pm-25-soot-particulate

https://www.reddit.com/r/longevity/comments/rto01z/a_mundane_way_to_increase_longevity_2_years_cut/

PM 2.5 refers to particles smaller than 2.5 microns

Cars emit these type of particles.

The Global Burden of Disease study, a common benchmark for public health work, estimates that 3.4 million people die prematurely every year due to air pollution. More recent research puts the total even higher, at 10 million a year

https://mediarelations.gwu.edu/nearly-2-million-children-worldwide-develop-asthma-result-breathing-traffic-related-pollution

A good quote from the author:

“Reducing fossil fuel-powered transportation can help children and adults breathe easier and may pay big health dividends, such as fewer cases of pediatric asthma and excess deaths,” Anenberg said. “At the same time, it would also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, leading to a healthier climate.”

Fossil Fuel Pollution Kills 8.7 Million a Year, Twice Previous Estimate - Bloomberg

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-09/fossil-fuel-pollution-kills-millions-more-than-scientists-knew

It’s caused by fine particles.

Road Traffic Noise Exposure and Depression/Anxiety: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - PubMed

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a9a4/2cb7596ee99b6a74fc7fcdc0e90e354caade.pdf

This study researches on how road traffic noise affects depression/anxiety. They find that increasing exposure to road traffic noise may be associated with depression and anxiety.

NASA - Road Transportation Emerges as Key Driver of Warming in New Analysis from NASA

https://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/road-transportation.html

From NASA’s research, they found that

In their analysis, motor vehicles emerged as the greatest contributor to atmospheric warming now and in the near term. Cars, buses, and trucks release pollutants and greenhouse gases that promote warming, while emitting few aerosols that counteract it.

Cities Aren’t Loud: Cars Are Loud - YouTube - Not Just Bikes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTV-wwszGw8

Cars are loud, period. In the video, he went from Amsterdam to Delft to record the sound levels and the difference is astounding. Delft made the city quiet by slowing cars down.

Asphalt adds to air pollution, especially on hot, sunny days

https://phys.org/news/2020-09-asphalt-air-pollution-hot-sunny.html

Asphalt used in roads pollute. It’d be best if we can reduce the amount of roads so that ultimately we reduce the amount of pollution.

A main finding is that asphalt-related products emit substantial and diverse mixtures of organic compounds into the air, with a strong dependence on temperature and other environmental conditions

Asphalt on roads may soon be greater source of air pollution than cars | New Scientist

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2253470-asphalt-on-roads-may-soon-be-greater-source-of-air-pollution-than-cars/amp/

Climate change is causing higher temperatures, which will trigger more emissions from asphalt.

Road Salt Works. But It’s Also Bad for the Environment.

https://news.yahoo.com/road-salt-works-bad-environment-161912248.html

The salt used to de-ice the roads have environmental consequences. The salt used is contaminating the wells and affecting the sodium concentration thereby harming people with low-sodium and moderate-sodium diets.

Wildlife are affected too.

elevated salinity levels in freshwater ecosystems had already caused a reduction in the abundance and growth of freshwater organisms and a reduction in their reproduction outputs.

Besides that,

Road salt also corrodes vehicles and bridges, causing $5 billion in annual repairs in the United States

Your Utah, Your Future - Background: Air Quality in Utah

https://yourutahyourfuture.org/topics/air-quality/item/44-background-air-quality-in-utah#:%7E:text=Mobile%20sources%E2%80%94cars%20and%20trucks,up%2027%25%20of%20winter%20emissions

55% of the air pollution in Utah is caused by vehicles.

Air pollution more harmful to children in cars than outside, warns top scientist | Pollution | The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/12/children-risk-air-pollution-cars-former-uk-chief-scientist-warns

San Francisco microplastics study shows car tires biggest likely source - Los Angeles Times

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2019-10-02/california-microplastics-ocean-study

Car tires were found to be biggest source of microplastic pollution - CNN

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/04/us/microplastic-pollution-car-tire-trnd/index.html

According to a study linked in the article, the biggest source of microplastic pollution in California’s coastal waters may come from car tires.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40825-020-00181-z

Brake and tire particles measured from on-road vehicles: Effects of vehicle mass and braking intensity - ScienceDirect

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590162121000216

The Tyre Collective

https://www.thetyrecollective.com/

A movement to reduce tire usage. Electric cars doesn’t emit as much carbon as ICE cars, but tire wear still contributes to pollution.

Tyre wear is the second-largest microplastic pollutant in our ocean after single-use plastic and accounts for up to 50% of air particulate emission (PM) from road transport

America’s obsession with road salt is hurting freshwater ecosystems — and our drinking water

https://www.inverse.com/science/america-road-salt-hurting-ecosystems-drinking-water

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-25/a-new-study-links-long-term-exposure-to-loud-traffic-noise-and-depression

Noise pollution from cars can lead to depression.

Tire residue chemical in rain runoff kills fish in urban streams, research finds | The Star

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2022/03/16/tire-residue-chemical-in-rain-runoff-kills-fish-in-urban-streams-research-finds.html

The Other Type of Car Pollution That Harms Us All – Streetsblog USA

https://usa.streetsblog.org/2020/09/14/the-other-type-of-car-pollution-that-harms-us-all/

This article is referring to noise pollution.

Urban noise pollution causes a variety of psychological, cardiovascular, and other health disorders

There’s also a handy infographic in the article to show the effects of noise pollution.

Long term exposure to air pollution linked to heightened autoimmune disease risk | BMJ

https://www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/long-term-exposure-to-air-pollution-linked-to-heightened-autoimmune-disease-risk/

Overall, long term exposure to traffic and industrial air pollutants was associated with an approximately 40% higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis, a 20% higher risk of inflammatory bowel disease, and a 15% higher risk of connective tissue diseases.

Pollution warning over car tyre and brake dust - BBC News

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48944561

The government’s Air Quality Expert Group said particles from brake wear, tyre wear and road surface wear directly contribute to well over half of particle pollution from road transport.

Press Release: Pollution From Tyre Wear 1,000 Times Worse Than Exhaust Emissions — Emissions Analytics

https://www.emissionsanalytics.com/news/pollution-tyre-wear-worse-exhaust-emissions

Pollution from tyre wear can be 1,000 times worse than what comes out of a car’s exhaust, Emissions Analytics has found

Harmful particle matter from tyres – and also brakes – is a very serious and growing environmental problem, one that is being exacerbated by the increasing popularity of large, heavy vehicles such as SUVs, and growing demand for electric vehicles, which are heavier than standard cars because of their batteries.

The Hidden Environmental Aspects of Driving

https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Driving-Down-Emissions.pdf#page=9

Differences in cyclists and car drivers exposure to air pollution from traffic in the city of Copenhagen - ScienceDirect

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969701007586

This is study comparing the exposure of air pollution between cyclists and car drivers. The study found that:

Even after taking the increased respiration rate of cyclists into consideration, car drivers seem to be more exposed to airborne pollution than cyclists.

The concentrations of particles and BTEX in the cabin of the cars were 2–4 times greater than in the cyclists’ breathing zone, the greatest difference being for BTEX.

Good to Go? Assessing the Environmental Performance of New Mobility | ITF

https://www.itf-oecd.org/good-go-assessing-environmental-performance-new-mobility

Look how much energy cars uses compared to bikes, trains, buses and e-scooters.

Transport noise linked to increased risk of dementia, study finds | Dementia | The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/sep/09/transport-noise-linked-to-increased-risk-of-dementia-study-finds

A study involving two million adults, conducted over more than a decade, has concluded that people living in areas with transport noise face a higher risk of dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease.

Levels of some pollutants and toxic compounds can be as much as nine to twelve times higher inside vehicles than alongside the road

Ambient Air Pollution and Autism in Los Angeles County, California | Environmental Health Perspectives | Vol. 121, No. 3

https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/ehp.1205827

Measured and estimated exposures from ambient pollutant monitors and LUR model suggest associations between autism and prenatal air pollution exposure, mostly related to traffic sources.

Kuwait: Fire ripped through 25,000 square meters of Al Sulabiya tire site | Kuwait – Gulf News

https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/kuwait/kuwait-fire-ripped-through-25000-square-meters-of-al-sulabiya-tire-site-1.74769506

Apparently there is a tire graveyard in Kuwait and now they’re on fire.

CO2 emissions from cars: facts and figures (infographics) | News | European Parliament

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20190313STO31218/co2-emissions-from-cars-facts-and-figures-infographics

“Transport is responsible for nearly 30% of the EU’s total CO2 emissions, of which 72% comes from road transportation.”

“CO2 emissions from passenger transport vary significantly depending on the transport mode. Passenger cars are a major polluter, accounting for 60.7% of total CO2 emissions from road transport in Europe.”

What To Do About Environmental Noise?

https://acousticstoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Murphy.pdf

New study quantifies the global health impacts of vehicle exhaust - International Council on Clean Transportation

https://theicct.org/new-study-quantifies-the-global-health-impacts-of-vehicle-exhaust/

Study links ambient PM2.5 and ozone specifically caused by vehicle exhaust emissions to ~361,000 premature deaths worldwide in 2010 and ~385,000 in 2015

Heavy traffic pollution may affect kids' brain development | Reuters

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-pollution-brain-development-idUSKBN1ZR2KG

Brain scans of 12-year-old children show reduced thickness of the cortex and decreased gray matter volume in those who lived less than a quarter of a mile (400 meters) from a major highway at age 1,

Exposure to traffic noise linked to higher dementia risk | BMJ

https://www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/exposure-to-traffic-noise-linked-to-higher-dementia-risk/

The researchers estimate that as many as 1,216 out of the 8,475 cases of dementia registered in Denmark in 2017 could be attributed to these noise exposures, indicating a great potential for dementia prevention through reduction in traffic related noise.

Car tyres produce vastly more particle pollution than exhausts, tests show | Pollution | The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jun/03/car-tyres-produce-more-particle-pollution-than-exhausts-tests-show