Interpret the dangers of breathing in exhaust of fossil fuels

When listing the dangers of exhaust fumes, death from carbon monoxide poisoning falls at the top of the list. However, death from carbon monoxide poisoning is just one of many dangers to be concerned with. Some of the dangers of exhaust fumes are immediate while others happen over a longer period of time and consequently, are not as readily apparent.

Unfortunately, as if carbon monoxide were not bad enough, there are a great number of the other pathogens that contribute to the dangers of exhaust fumes. Some of those toxins include sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, benzene, polycyclic hydrocarbons and formaldehyde. Each of those substances is a pathogen which can have severe consequences both immediately and over the long haul. Medical science has established that many of these substances have harmful effects on bone marrow, the spleen and even our lymph nodes. As a matter of fact, the circulatory system is especially vulnerable to the toxins in exhaust fumes. Studies have shown that many of these toxins have resulted in problems in the bloodstream such as anemia.

So, you can see that the dangers of exhaust fumes have negative repercussions throughout virtually every aspect of our lives. While we know that the most immediate concern is the great number of health problems those fumes cause which can even lead to death, there is a long term effect as well which should also be a concern. Governments around the world are becoming proactive in fighting the dangers of exhaust fumes. We, as citizens, can do our part as well.

Once you recognize that these dangers are very real and widespread, you can begin to do your part in reducing the problem. In the interim, avoid being in an enclosed area with a running vehicle and stay as far as possible behind buses and trucks which burn diesel fuel. That black soot is more than a mere annoyance; it is a grave hazard to your health. The bottom line is, you should make every effort to avoid exhaust fumes wherever and whenever possible.