Cape cars spewing poison?

by

2008-11-21 10:26

Dear Editor,

Just yesterday I was at the doctor with a severe cough that has been lingering for the past two months. This is not the first time this year either. The diagnosis? Excessive exposure to environmental pollution.

I am an otherwise healthy young Capetonian who watches what I eat and exercises 3-4 times a week. Why should I tolerate my health being affected by factors beyond my control?

I understand that we live in the industrial age and I am glad to see that big businesses are more aware of and proactive in curbing factory emissions. But what about the man on the street, every person who owns a car and drives it around the city on a daily basis?

I am so tired of driving behind that 1980s Ford Escort blasting toxins into the air at an alarming rate. It should be the responsibility of each and every vehicle owner to ensure their vehicle is in good working order and not contributing to the already bad pollution problem in this country. This should also be enforced by traffic officials but people, take responsibility for your own vehicle.

Petrol and diesel emissions contain more than 40 known carcinogens, including nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. These not only cause asthma and other respiratory illnesses, but can also cause heart disease and cancer with prolonged exposure.

Are we going the way of booming economies like China and India where people have to resort to wearing face masks outside and schools close for certain periods of time because the children can't leave their homes due to excessive pollution? Everyone is concerned about climate change and this is one way in which we can help reduce the effects.

With these small changes everyone can get involved. Adopt a "can do" attitude - small changes can make a big difference. Here are other ways in which to curb excessive emissions from your vehicle:

Try to drive to work when you are not likely to encounter stop-start traffic. You could find an alternative route or arrange to work flexi time.

If you are stuck in heavy traffic, don't shoot off when the car in front of you moves five metres. Accelerate and decelerate gradually.

So get your vehicle checked today. And let's put the doctors out of business.

Ilze Fourie,
Cape Town

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