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Environmentally Safe Homes - Our CarsThe United States is a society dependant upon automobiles. In fact, we can be described as being almost addicted to our cars. From grocery shopping to visiting relatives, we require automotive transportation to cover distances that are just too far to walk. In our Energy section, we discussed carpooling as a means of energy conservation. Here we'll cover why the automobile has such an impact on our environment. Emissions As our cars burn gasoline to run, they produce a variety of dangerous gases which are released into the environment. The most common exhaust emissions are nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and unburned gasoline. These chemicals are all hazardous to both us and our environment and contribute to the problem of air pollution. The automotive industry has done a lot to improve our automobiles emissions over the last twenty years. With advances in engine efficiency, exhaust filtration and the use of unleaded gasoline, we have cut back tremendously on the amount of pollution produced by our cars. Conversely, we have a lot more cars on the road today and many of the older cars are still in operation. It's important to use our cars sensibly. And considering what we pay for gasoline and repairs, it makes sense to our check books too. Lubricants and Disposable Items Antifreeze, oil and old car batteries are extremely hazardous items. Because antifreeze smells and tastes sweet, it can even be dangerous to children and family pets. It's important that we store, use and dispose of these items correctly. Not just for the environment, but for our family's safety as well. Old tires can be recycled and used as raw material for road asphalt and garden hoses. Batteries contain extremely dangerous chemicals, but many companies will actually pay you or give you a discount on your new battery in return for the old. There's no real reason for disposing of these hazardous items in the environment anymore. Most of the chemicals we use in our cars can be recycled - even motor oil. All we have to do is take the time to do things right. |
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