It seems that its not just in offense - ride parts of townthatstopping at red lightscan be ahealth chance . Vehicle pollution is make thousands ofpremature deaths each year , and the damage has been encounter to be disproportionately done while stopped at traffic sparkle .
A team from the University of Surrey tested the pollution exposure of a group of U.K. car driver on a typical 6 - kilometer ( 3.7 land mile ) commute . InAtmospheric Environment , they describe that exposure tonanoparticlesfrom vehicle exhaust fumes was 29 times higher when stopped at intersections with traffic lights than when moving in free - flowing traffic . Pollution was also raised in some intermediary locations , but await at red light still accounted for 25 % of the driver ’s dot , despite only being 2 % of the commuting time for the sampling .
The study was done with five dissimilar ventilation configurations , let in one with the window in full open and another with various fan and heating system combination .
" Our time spent traveling in car has stay on fairly constant during the past decennium despite the efforts to reduce it , " articulate booster cable author Dr. Prashant Kumar . " With more cars than ever link the route , we are being divulge to increasing point of air contamination as we undertake our day-by-day commutes . "
While the density of car give up at intersections is sure a contributing component , they feel that rev up up to speed up away from red illumination played a big part in fomite emissions .
" It ’s not always possible to alter your path to avoid these intersections , but number one wood should be aware of the increased risks at meddling sparkle , " says Kumar . He mention that other commuters are even more exposed , despite not contributing to the problem , sound out , " Pedestrians on a regular basis crossing such itinerary should consider whether there might be other paths less pendent on dealings brightness crossings . "
While there was a secure link between the denseness of particulates inside the railway car and outside , this was n’t one - to - one . The biggest decrease , 88 % , in internal particulate stratum compared to the outside tune was attain with windows shut , lover on 25 % and heating on 50 % .
As cheerless as this may be , Kumar did have some good news last year when he demonstrated thatvegetation on busy roadstead can help reduce befoulment by 36 % . Looks like local authorities know where they want to be placing their tree diagram .
