Car Parks and Exhaust Fumes: A Threat to Public Health

Car parks are a common feature of modern life, providing a convenient place to park our cars when we’re not using them. However, car parks can also be a source of harmful exhaust fumes.

When cars are running, they emit a variety of gases, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter. These gases can be harmful to human health, even in small doses.

In enclosed spaces like car parks, these gases can build up to dangerous levels. This is because there is less ventilation in car parks than in open air environments, so the gases have nowhere to go.

The people who are most at risk from exposure to exhaust fumes in car parks are children, older adults, people with respiratory conditions, and people who work in car parks.

Symptoms of exposure to exhaust fumes include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, and wheezing. In severe cases, exposure to exhaust fumes can lead to death.

The good news is that there are things that can be done to improve air quality in car parks. One important step is to install ventilation systems to remove exhaust fumes from the air. Another step is to use electric vehicles or low-emission vehicles in car parks. Limiting the amount of time that cars can be parked in car parks and providing more cycle parking and public transport options can also help to improve air quality.

Finally, it is important to educate drivers about the dangers of exhaust fumes. Drivers should be aware of the symptoms of exposure to exhaust fumes and should take steps to avoid being exposed to them.