Airborne particles from vehicle emissions are a major contributor to air pollution levels, and exhaust filters designed to mitigate this pollution have been a legal requirement in new cars since 2011 and in heavy duty vehicles since 2013. However, a new study published in Environment International has revealed that these filters are not as effective at removing smaller liquid particles. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes that particulate pollution is associated with negative impacts on cardiovascular and respiratory health, and their 2021 air quality guidelines outline concerns over ultrafine particles and their ability to be transported around the body.
Lead author of the study, Professor Roy Harrison, said: “Our research shows clearly that current, widely-used filters are not effective against these smaller particles and we welcome recommendations from the World Health Organisation that surveillance of these measurements increase and note with concern that current concentrations measured in London are classified as ‘high’.”
The team used data collected from a monitoring station in Marylebone Road, London, which has produced the most comprehensive, long-term dataset in the world containing data for particle mass and number dating back to 2010. The data showed a steep decline in larger particles, such as black carbon, which declined by 81% between 2014 and 2021. However, the number of particles described as “ultrafine” — smaller than 100 nanometres — reduced by only 26%, and the smallest group of particles measuring less than 30 nanometres did not reduce at all. WHO guidelines define concentrations of ultrafine particles above 10,000 per cubic cm as “high” and concentrations measured at the Marylebone Road site were around twice this level.
Professor Harrison added: “High concentrations of ultrafine particles are likely to be a widespread and persistent phenomenon. In order to meet WHO guidelines we are likely to need a much higher uptake of electric vehicles, as well as additional measures to reduce emissions from diesel vehicles.”
The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions and its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 6,500 international students from over 150 countries. The team’s research was published in the journal Environment International (Harrison et al., 2023).
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FAQ
Q1. How electric car chargers work?
A1. Electric car chargers work by connecting to an electrical outlet and providing power to the car’s battery. The charger then converts the electricity into a form that the car’s battery can use.
Q2. What electric car has the longest range?
A2. The Tesla Model S has the longest range of any electric car currently on the market, with a range of up to 370 miles on a single charge.
Q3. How electric car batteries are recycled?
A3. Electric car batteries are recycled by breaking them down into their component parts and then separating out the metals, plastics, and other materials for reuse. The metals are melted down and reused in new products, while the plastics and other materials are recycled into new products.
