http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Traffic Fumes en Wed, 13 May 2026 03:38:24 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9737#post-105220 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:54:05 +0000 cc 105220@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That was one of the factors mentioned in the BMA's big study some years ago which concluded that even on UK roads cycling was 19 times healthier than driving (or something like that). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9737#post-105217 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:31:31 +0000 Darkerside 105217@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>From memory, it was related to air intakes on cars being low down and at the front - perfectly positioned to suck up the exhaust from the vehicle in front.</p> <p>Some of the buses are particularly grim. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9737#post-105216 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:29:22 +0000 Bhachgen 105216@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I remember reading something like that too. Don't recall the "stationary" proviso but fair to say that vehicle occupants spend more time stationary than cyclists on urban roads in any case. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9737#post-105214 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:17:00 +0000 Uberuce 105214@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I too dimly remember that factlet with the condition that you had to be stationary. Can't confirm it either, mind. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9737#post-105213 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:11:18 +0000 Coxy 105213@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I remember reading that the level of pollution is much higher in the car than directly outside it. Was I imagining that or come someone confirm? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9737#post-105208 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:48:31 +0000 Snowy 105208@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Indeed - according to <a href="http://www.ecotravel.org.uk/fuels_6.html">this page</a> at least, it seems possible to have a diesel car that emits no Particulate Matter. </p> <p>No obvious solution to the Nitrogen Oxide, though, and a mask won't help with that.</p> <p>If only there was a polution-free alternative that people could use for short urban journeys... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9737#post-105206 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:37:44 +0000 neddie 105206@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Modern diesel engines should have a diesel particulate filter (DPF) which helps reduce particulate emissions.</p> <p>I'm not sure how effective they are in an urban context though </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9737#post-105205 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:35:18 +0000 Snowy 105205@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm mainly concerned that for many years we've developed a series of incentives to encourage people to move away from petrol and towards diesel (through taxes, charges, etc). Cars tend to have a 10 year lifespan these days (empirical figure plucked out of thin air by me) and manufacturers follow customer demand, which in turn tends to be influenced by the tax policies of national and local government.</p> <p>In other words, changing what people are driving is a very slow business, and we are now beginning to see that the scramble for diesel was not such a good plan for anyone who has to breathe urban air.</p> <p>The law of unintended consequences at work, again. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9737#post-105190 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:43:42 +0000 earthowned 105190@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The masks might help filter the larger particulate matter, but will do nothing for the gaseous co-pollutants.</p> <p>I tried wearing a mask for a few weeks and found it very inconvenient. Basically your face will drip with condensation. Yucky.</p> <p>Practically speaking if you want to avoid pollution you are better off picking quieter roads and keeping out of heavy traffic. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9737#post-105146 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:00:32 +0000 Darkerside 105146@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>They'd help you to look like Bane. That can only be a good thing, yes? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9737#post-105144 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 09:54:00 +0000 thewavecry 105144@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That prompted me to do a bit of googling. There is lots of interesting data at the <a href="http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/">Defra UK-AIR web site</a> including:</p> <p><ul><li><a href="http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/forecasting/?agglomeration=1&amp;zone_id=21&amp;type=forecast">Forecast for Edinburgh</a></li><li><a href="http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/interactive-map?region_id=6">Interactive map for the central belt</a></li><br /> </ul></p> <p>I wonder if those masks that make you look like Bane from Batman help? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9737#post-105131 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 08:51:09 +0000 AIMC 105131@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/mar/19/uk-air-pollution-health-crisis?INTCMP=SRCH">Traffic Fumes increase Respiratory Diseases</a> </p>