Paper 3: POLLUTION

A large number of materials are released into the atmosphere by motor vehicles and they take several forms:

(a) colourless, odourless, toxic gases;

(b) colourless, malodorous, non-toxic gases;

(c) coloured, malodorous, toxic gases;

(d) particulate material (containing undesirable materials such as lead and carcinogens) which soils buildings and affects the growth of vegetation.

These materials would be harmful to man if they were present at sufficiently high concentrations. People react, often adversely, to those detected by the senses. A social survey has been conducted on the environmental effects of traffic on individuals in their neighbourhood. The survey showed that people find traffic fumes more disturbing than noise, and that there is a widespread belief that fumes can be harmful, particularly to the respiratory system. People felt that lorries were by far the worst offenders as sources of traffic fumes. Many people believed that traffic was responsible for much of the dust and dirt in their homes.