So many things have been written about the Dieselgate emissions scandal, but the focus has mostly been on its effects on the affected car manufacturers and its dangers on the environment. The diesel emission scandal also has adverse effects on human health, but this hasn’t been reported extensively. Additionally, not much action has been done to address this health issue.
What is the Dieselgate emissions scandal?
The Dieselgate emissions scandal happened in 2015, when German automaker Volkswagen was discovered to have allegedly installed defeat devices in some of their diesel cars. These devices are used to cheat on emissions tests, ensuring that NOx levels conform to regulations. However, in real-life driving conditions, the cars emit NOx at levels way over the safe and regulatory limit.
Volkswagen was just the first of many that caught the attention of authorities. Several months and years later, other car manufacturers were also thrust into the spotlight with allegations that they were using or had used defeat devices inside several of their diesel vehicles. Mercedes-Benz, Vauxhall, BMW, Porsche, Chrysler, and Audi are some of the automakers implicated in the scandal.
The vehicles installed with defeat devices were marketed and sold as clean diesel cars, which means manufacturers lied to their customers.
What is NOx and why is it dangerous?
NOx is a combination of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide. These two are formed as a result of fuel consumption after oxygen and nitrogen combine under high temperatures and high pressure. Together, they are known as nitrogen oxides.
Diesel (and gasoline) car engine fumes contain nitrogen oxides. NOx is extremely dangerous to the environment particularly since it contributes to the formation of smog and acid rain. It also aggravates the formation of PM or particulate matter.
In 2018, 31% of NOx emissions in the UK came from diesel engines. This is why nitrogen oxides emissions have always been regulated. Before a manufacturer can sell cars, they are required to take and pass the WLTP – or Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure – which is administered by the European Union-wide emissions testing system. (Although the United Kingdom has exited from the EU, its government guarantees that it will still follow European Union emissions targets.)
Even with the EU regulations and vehicle tests, large swaths of Britain continues to have very high levels of nitrogen oxides, making the environment of those regions highly polluted. Extreme air pollution became an even bigger problem after the Dieselgate scandal broke, especially since its effects on human health can be quite severe.
How does NOx affect human health?
As mentioned above, NOx helps form smog and acid rain and contributes to the formation of particulate matter. All these are dangerous not only to the environment but to human health as well. Here are some of the effects of regular exposure to nitrogen oxides:
- Inflammation of the airways. This can lead to an increased risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. It can also cause serious asthma attacks.
- Particulate matter can cause serious health issues such as cardiovascular diseases, chronic and lower respiratory diseases, and cancer.
- Breathing difficulties
- Eye inflammation
- Dental problems
- Headaches
- Exposure to nitrogen oxides can also increase asthma attacks in children and may also result in low birth weight.
In the UK, air pollution caused by high NOx levels is the main reason for thousands of deaths year after year. In 2015, deaths in the UK that air pollution was responsible for the total of 64,000 – heart disease was the cause for 17,000 of these while more or less 29,000 were due to chronic lung disease, diabetes, cancer, and other conditions.
Additionally, nitrogen oxides are known to negatively affect vegetation, which will hurt their growth, damage foliage, and make them more vulnerable to frost damage and disease.
What the Government is doing
While car manufacturers have been issuing recalls so they can update their vehicles’ emission standards according to regulations, UK authorities created the Real Driving Emissions or RDE testing in 2017. Cars that do not pass the test are not allowed to be sold. The test is administered while in real driving conditions, not in the laboratory.
What to do if your car is affected
If your car is on the list of affected vehicles, the first thing you should do is check with your manufacturer’s website. Most automakers’ websites have a dedicated page or link that allows you to confirm if your car’s model is on the list.
Once you confirm that your car is affected, you can file an emission compensation claim. Find a good, experienced, and liable solicitor or team of emissions experts. If you work with the experienced teams at Emissions.co.uk, you’re guaranteed assistance and support in every step of the process.