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Automobile Pollution.
Automobiles can cause many different kinds of pollution in the environment.
Air, health and groundwater pollution are of the most common. The reasons for
these problems can be contributed to exhaust systems and light switches that
are standard equipment on most cars today.
Older and newer cars alike are equipped with a catalytic converter system.
Which are supposed to convert hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides
into harmless materials emitted from the automobiles engine. According to
Robert Harley, when nitrogen oxide from the engines exhaust is “over- reduced,”
a complex chemical reaction ensues. Ammonia gas (NH3) forms in the catalytic
converter, which is then emitted from the vehicles tailpipe and released into
the air. These ammonia gasses are the cause of haze and may also cause serious
health problems. The catalytic converter not only hurts but also helps the
environment. Automobiles that have this system on them produce close to 50%
less hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and other gasses. (Converters 1) Which in
the long run helps the ozone from depleting even more than it has already.
Another problem we face is having vehicles with mercury light switches in the
trunk and hood. Mercury is a fluid metallic element that is toxic and can cause
various health problems, air and groundwater pollution also. Ford is one of the
automobile companies that still use mercury in light switches and certain
antilock brake components. The mercury becomes a problem only after vehicles
containing it are taken to a junkyard and destroyed. When these vehicles are
destroyed the mercury seeps out into the environment and is absorbed into the
ground eventually to make its way in to our water supplies. While in the water
it can contaminate the fish that in turn we end up eating. Another way the
mercury makes it way into the environment is during the process of melting the
vehicles in steel furnaces where the mercury vaporizes into the air. (Mercury
1) These particles then can act as a contribution to global warming.
Ford has been urged to remove these mercury switches and replace them with a
ball bearing switch that costs about 38 cents in all vehicles that are brought
in for service, repair, or recall. As of right now Ford has no plans of
removing these mercury switches in any of its serviced vehicles. But Ford is
currently working with the Alliance of Automobile Manufactures and the
Association of International Automobile Manufactures and waste-management
directors to eliminate and replace the switches containing mercury in their
upcoming vehicles. (Mercury 2) If Ford and other car companies that use mercury
switches decide to do this it can eliminate up to 2.5 tons of mercury from our
environment.
The problems of automobile pollution mentioned above are only a small portion
of the pollution problems we face from automobiles. Many people wonder how
these and many other problems that automobiles cause can be fixed, and many
have come up with possible solutions. But only a few of the solutions are
actually practical. I think we should abolish gas burning engines and start
using electrical vehicles. This would eliminate all of the pollution problems.
Electric vehicles were once thought to only be a futuristic fantasy, but
recently have become a reality. These vehicles are a very environmentally
friendly replacement for older gas burning automobiles. Electric vehicles do
not require tune-ups or oil changes. These vehicles also don’t emit any ozone
depleting gasses and or fumes. Making them a perfect remedy for the already
hurting environment. As of right now the idea of an electric car is still in it
works and the common gas burning automobile will be around for many more years
to come.
All we can do is hope that one day that someone will come with a vehicle that
is environmentally safe and can help eliminate these problems that automobiles
cause today.