According to a report by the OECD urban air pollution is set to become the biggest environmental cause of premature death in the coming decades, overtaking even such mass killers as poor sanitation and a lack of clean drinking water, according to a new report.
There could be 3.6 million premature deaths a year from exposure to particulate matter, most of them in China and India. But rich countries will suffer worse effects from exposure to ground-level ozone, because of their ageing populations – older people are more susceptible.[link Guardian]
Cycling in Vietnam
How Much are Cyclists Affected by Pollution?
On the one hand, some argue that cyclists are susceptible to pollution because they breathe more deeply during the physical exertion of cycling, therefore they can inhale up to five times more particulates than either car users or those travelling on public transport.
But, on the other hand it has also been suggested that passengers travelling in cars or buses are more at risk of being exposed to higher levels of air pollution than cyclists, as they are sitting in an environment of limited circulating ventilation.
How The Impact of pollution can be minimised
- Finding less traffic intensive road,
- Avoid (though easier said than done) getting stuck behind a bus / lorry exhaust fumes?
- Anti pollution masks
How Much do Pollution Masks Help?
Personal Note
I’ve never really thought about pollution too much. I’ve never considered wearing a pollution mask. Fortunately, exhausts of buses and cars isn’t as toxic as it used to be. Though sometimes a car goes past belching out black smoke and you can taste the awful smell. Usually, I instinctively cycle more slowly, trying to breathe less of the stuff in.
Ideally, you would try and avoid getting stuck right behind exhaust of buses and lorries, but that is often a luxury you can’t really manage. There is a certain element of fatalism. I’m going to cycle, and I hope it doesn’t do too much damage. But, from a pollution perspective I don’t think I’d be any better off getting the bus into town. If anything, a bike gets me out of the congested town centre quicker than anything – leaving me less exposed to pollution.
Cycling Advocacy
There are many good reasons to encourage bicycles and make cars pay for the external costs they create, pollution is another. Pollution reduces living standards, therefore policy makers should discourage car use in city centres – not just for the benefit of cyclists, but pedestrians and everyone who lives there.
China and India.
Unfortunately China and India are falling in love with the car. A car has become a status symbol of aspiring middle classes, the bicycle is looked down on. The rush for owning a motor car will lead to increasing levels of congestion and pollution (and perhaps physical unfitness). It is reminiscent of the West’s embrace of the motor car in the post war period. The sad thing is that once the motor car is firmly established, the pollution levels, congestion levels, and obesity levels will slowly start to make people think – was the primacy of the motor car such a good thing? Maybe we should paint a few green lines on the road and provide a few token cycle lanes.
Related
- Cyclists unaware of risks of cycling BBC
- Anti pollution masks at Wiggle
photo top: Johnji
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