Cyclists in Traffic Inhale Billions of Toxic Nano Particulates from Motor Vehicles
06-01-10, 12:27 PM
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Cyclists in Traffic Inhale Billions of Toxic Nano Particulates from Motor Vehicles
Sounds like a good reason NOT to cycle in heavy traffic, but rather to use lower traveled alternate routes and avoid cycling during 'rush hour'...
https://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle7140213.ece
CYCLING to work may seem the healthy option, but a study has shown that people riding in cities inhale tens of millions of toxic nanoparticles with every breath, at least five times more than drivers or pedestrians.
The research involved fitting cyclists with devices that could count the particles, mostly emitted by car exhausts, in the air they were breathing.
It showed that urban concentrations of nanoparticles, which measure just a few millionths of a millimetre, could reach several hundred thousand in a cubic centimetre of air.
The particles, when inhaled, have been linked to heart disease and respiratory problems.
Because they are exerting themselves, cyclists breathe harder and faster than other road users. The study found that they suck in about 1,000 cubic cm with each breath, meaning they may inhale tens of millions of the particles each time they fill their lungs, and billions during a whole journey.
“This is the first time anyone has counted the particles while also measuring people’s breathing during city commuting. It showed that cyclists can inhale an astonishing number of pollutant particles in one journey,” said Luc Int Panis of the transport research institute at Hasselt University in Belgium, who led the study.
The research involved fitting cyclists with devices that could count the particles, mostly emitted by car exhausts, in the air they were breathing.
It showed that urban concentrations of nanoparticles, which measure just a few millionths of a millimetre, could reach several hundred thousand in a cubic centimetre of air.
The particles, when inhaled, have been linked to heart disease and respiratory problems.
Because they are exerting themselves, cyclists breathe harder and faster than other road users. The study found that they suck in about 1,000 cubic cm with each breath, meaning they may inhale tens of millions of the particles each time they fill their lungs, and billions during a whole journey.
“This is the first time anyone has counted the particles while also measuring people’s breathing during city commuting. It showed that cyclists can inhale an astonishing number of pollutant particles in one journey,” said Luc Int Panis of the transport research institute at Hasselt University in Belgium, who led the study.
06-01-10, 12:58 PM
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Another excuse for motorists to use against commuter cyclists.
-Kurt
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06-01-10, 01:05 PM
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Yes, clearly the reason the air is so polluted in the first place is too many bicycles. Clearly, the solution is to stop cycling and put more cars on the road!
06-01-10, 03:23 PM
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And yet we still live longer. They poison us, run us over, and we still outlive them. Kinda says something about cycling when you take it in context.
The study is bunk, IMO, because they didn't do the same in a car and for a pedestrian. These are the choices, saying one is bad and not describing how the others differ is useless. Sure, you breath harder when you cycle, but you also tend to spend less time right behind a car. When you drive you may spend most of the time one car length back from another car.
I'm sorry, the study isn't bunk, it's just useless without a second study.
The study is bunk, IMO, because they didn't do the same in a car and for a pedestrian. These are the choices, saying one is bad and not describing how the others differ is useless. Sure, you breath harder when you cycle, but you also tend to spend less time right behind a car. When you drive you may spend most of the time one car length back from another car.
I'm sorry, the study isn't bunk, it's just useless without a second study.
06-01-10, 04:11 PM
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Because they are exerting themselves, cyclists breathe harder and faster than other road users. The study found that they suck in about 1,000 cubic cm with each breath, meaning they may inhale tens of millions of the particles each time they fill their lungs, and billions during a whole journey.
06-01-10, 09:12 PM
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So what are the motorists breathing?
Nano particulates will pass through normal cabin filters.
I like the class action idea >
Nano particulates will pass through normal cabin filters.
I like the class action idea >
06-01-10, 09:38 PM
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Maybe we should all do as the asians (some asians) do and wear paper masks everwhere we go.
06-01-10, 09:40 PM
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There's another erroneous assumption here -- that all those extra particulates STAY in the lungs and DON'T get blown back out with our forceful exhalations!
Pure crap. UNlike the air they claim we're breathing....
Pure crap. UNlike the air they claim we're breathing....
06-01-10, 10:28 PM
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They may be fudging on the details a bit but I think their general premise is correct. I attribute my adult onset asthma at least partially to regular cycling in traffic.
Then the question becomes, what's their angle?
Are they trying to clear the air, are they trying to dissuade newbie cyclists, or are they playing the separate paths angle?
Then the question becomes, what's their angle?
Are they trying to clear the air, are they trying to dissuade newbie cyclists, or are they playing the separate paths angle?
06-02-10, 02:21 AM
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Hmmm......
While it seemingly has legitimacy in the article, I wonder about the ulterior motives of the newspaper that printed the article.
London is one of the most polluted cities in the world and, they are saying it is dangerous to bike to work because of the pollution. While at the same time they are not offering any suggestions on how to curtail motor vehicle pollution.
Typical motor vehicle speak
While it seemingly has legitimacy in the article, I wonder about the ulterior motives of the newspaper that printed the article.
London is one of the most polluted cities in the world and, they are saying it is dangerous to bike to work because of the pollution. While at the same time they are not offering any suggestions on how to curtail motor vehicle pollution.
Typical motor vehicle speak
06-02-10, 02:32 AM
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Take a look here, discussion is already ongoing:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...oxic-particles
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...oxic-particles
06-02-10, 12:33 PM
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Take a look here, discussion is already ongoing:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...oxic-particles
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...oxic-particles
06-05-10, 08:05 AM
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Look out----look out the bogey man. Why are there always "victims" looking for some one to blame in hopes of getting something for nothing.
06-05-10, 08:25 AM
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Speaking of bunk, who is this "We" that lives longer, and lives longer than Whom? Did you make up this factoid or can you refer to a bunk-free study?
06-05-10, 08:28 AM
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And we'll keep on fighting - till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions - of the world
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
06-05-10, 08:29 AM
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Cite?
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
06-05-10, 10:47 AM
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The carina (where the trachea splits) is quite sensitive to larger particles, and this causes a cough reflex when stuff gets down there. Once small stuff gets past there, there isn't as much drive to clear it.
So the question is what harm all of this inhaled matter does. It's worrisome because some of the most delicate tissue in the body is involved, substances can be passed into the blood.
06-05-10, 11:34 AM
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06-05-10, 12:31 PM
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grates nixon
I have heard that not paying any attention to Big-10 college football can decrease your chance of heart-attack and stroke though.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
06-05-10, 01:47 PM
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06-05-10, 02:40 PM
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What about forcing the automotive industry to clean up their act? I mean if I am not mistaken don't most power and other large industrial plants have to filter their smoke stacks? Why can't cars have filters added to their exhaust system? Next what about forcing the oil industry into having to produce a cleaner burning fuel?