The Risk of Car Exhaust Fumes on the Health of Motor-Scooter Riders

According to the World Health Organization 3 million people die each year as a result of air pollution.

Most of us residing in major towns and cities often choose to ride a scooter to work, given that traffic can be a nightmare during peak hours. Riding a scooter is seen as a better option compared to driving, as you can easily navigate through tight spaces, and the fact that scooters consume less gas compared to cars makes them an attractive alternative.

But, have you ever thought about the kind of dangers from exhaust fumes you expose yourself to as you ride through the downtown areas, congested streets and stop behind a car in traffic or at a stoplight?  When you stop or ride behind a car, you cannot help but inhale the fumes. Holding your breath may work, but you cannot hold it in for long, and you will eventually end up inhaling the carbon dioxide which contains invisible dangers.

Many studies have established the link between long term exposure to air pollution and higher rates of heart and lung diseases. A major study by Dr Rob Beelen from Utrecht University in the Netherlands found exposure to traffic pollutants can increase the risk of death by seven per cent.

A study by Canadian researchers found cyclists in Ottawa, Ontario, had heart irregularities in the hours after their exposure to a variety of air pollutants on busy roads. “Our findings suggest that short-term exposure to traffic may have a significant impact on cardiac autonomic function in healthy adults.”

Solutions to Reduce the Risks Posed by Exhaust Fumes

For those of us who use our Vespa to commute in and around major towns and cities, we can use the following tips to help reduce our exposure to the harmful effects posed by exhaust fumes.

Avoiding Busy Streets & Highways

This is the most effective technique we can use in reducing our exposure to the exhaust fumes.
Taking routes that are less congested means that it may take longer for us to get to our destinations, but it will also mean that we will be exposed to fewer fumes; as the busiest streets in any city or town have the dirtiest air.
Less congested roads are also beneficial in that they have fewer distracted drivers using them.

Create a Scooter Box

You can create a scooter box that will keep you from harms away whenever you arrive at a spotlight, or in slow moving traffic.
If it is not possible to get in front of the cars, then the ideal thing to do will be to stop at least one or two bike distances from the cars ahead of you.  Make sure that the exhaust fumes emanating from the cars on your sides do not strike you on the face directly.

Wearing an Effective Anti-Pollution Mask

Recent studies have shown that wearing an effective anti-pollution mask reduces the risks of cardiovascular effects that are commonly associated with severe air pollution. Mask’s should use sub-micron filters which will filter out the small air particles. The more expensive masks on the market will most likely have these filters, but check before buying. Remember that for your mask to remain effective in protecting you from the exhaust fumes; you have to ensure a proper fit and replace the mask filters regularly.

You might also be interested in reading: Guide to Scooter Air Pollution Masks