P
Philip
Cigarettes Worse for Air Than Cars
Ivanhoe Newswire
www.ivanhoe.com
September 1, 2004
Holy smoke! The air pollution emitted by cigarettes may be 10-times greater
than diesel car exhaust.
Investigators hope the negative comparison can be a valuable educational
message against tobacco use for adolescents.
Environmental tobacco smoke produces fine particulate matter, the most
dangerous element of air pollution. According to the new study, levels
indoors can far exceed those outdoors because new engine models and
lead-free fuels have cut the levels of particulate matter emissions from car
exhausts.
The study was conducted in a garage in a small, Italian mountain town where
there are very low levels of particulate matter air pollution. A turbo
diesel engine was left idling for 30 minutes in the garage with the doors
closed. Then, the doors were left open for four hours. The car was fueled
with low sulphur fuel. Three filter cigarettes were also lit up
sequentially, and left smoldering for another 30 minutes.
Results of the experiment show the diesel engine exhaust doubled the
particulate matter levels found outdoors at its peak.
The environmental tobacco smoke particulate matter reached levels 15-times
higher than those measured outdoors.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by
e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to:
http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
SOURCE: Tobacco Control, 2004;13:219-221
Ivanhoe Newswire
www.ivanhoe.com
September 1, 2004
Holy smoke! The air pollution emitted by cigarettes may be 10-times greater
than diesel car exhaust.
Investigators hope the negative comparison can be a valuable educational
message against tobacco use for adolescents.
Environmental tobacco smoke produces fine particulate matter, the most
dangerous element of air pollution. According to the new study, levels
indoors can far exceed those outdoors because new engine models and
lead-free fuels have cut the levels of particulate matter emissions from car
exhausts.
The study was conducted in a garage in a small, Italian mountain town where
there are very low levels of particulate matter air pollution. A turbo
diesel engine was left idling for 30 minutes in the garage with the doors
closed. Then, the doors were left open for four hours. The car was fueled
with low sulphur fuel. Three filter cigarettes were also lit up
sequentially, and left smoldering for another 30 minutes.
Results of the experiment show the diesel engine exhaust doubled the
particulate matter levels found outdoors at its peak.
The environmental tobacco smoke particulate matter reached levels 15-times
higher than those measured outdoors.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by
e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to:
http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
SOURCE: Tobacco Control, 2004;13:219-221