Diesel polution-is it worse for cyclists?

[night cycler]

In the news again is the issue of diesel pollution, and the affects it is having on respiratory illnesses and health in general. Doctors are calling for a ban of diesels in London. As cyclists we must be inhaling more of the small particles than other groups.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-38274792

 

[night cycler]

[QUOTE 4592545, member: 45"]There's research somewhere that suggests that rush hour drivers inhale more particles than commuting cyclists.[/QUOTE]
More particles than cyclist while in the same area at the same time?

 

[User482]

Bear in mind that NOx is gaseous.

 

[night cycler]

Bear in mind that NOx is gaseous.

Meaning that a cyclist (being in the open as opposed to in a car) is more likely to have a greater amount of oxygen around him to counteract the gaseous nature of the NOx?

 

[Dan B]

But is it the NOx or the particulates at issue? I read somewhere that drivers generally have it worse because closer to the ground, but it was a long time ago and I don't know if newer research comes to different conclusions

 

[night cycler]

But is it the NOx or the particulates at issue? I read somewhere that drivers generally have it worse because closer to the ground, but it was a long time ago and I don't know if newer research comes to different conclusions

I would guess that both the NOx and particulates are an isssue but I don`t know which is worst.

 

[Slick]

All I know, you can get a horrible lungful sometimes stuck behind them. Even just seems to hang on certain sections.

 

[night cycler]

Agree. I try to keep a bit of distance if possible, especially buses & HGVs.

 

[User482]

Meaning that a cyclist (being in the open as opposed to in a car) is more likely to have a greater amount of oxygen around him to counteract the gaseous nature of the NOx?

Everyone talks about particulates, but often it's NOx that is the reason for breaching air quality limits. It has a range of health impacts and I believe can be more concentrated inside cars, though I haven't seen any recent research.

 

[simongt]

I'd read that cyclists were less effected than motorists by exhaust fumes; something to do with, as mentioned, being in the open air and also probably not necessarily actually being stuck in said queue. However, as most cars appear to have air con now, does that point now really stack up - ?

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I'd read that cyclists were less effected than motorists by exhaust fumes; something to do with, as mentioned, being in the open air and also probably not necessarily actually being stuck in said queue. However, as most cars appear to have air con now, does that point now really stack up - ?

It depends on whether the air con is set on recirculate or fresh air. If fresh, it's sucking air in from much lower down and nearer the exhausts than the cyclist is breathing. Pollen filters don't help as they won't filter out PM10s or NOx.

 

[User482]

https://travelwest.info/project/ee-...te-the-health-benefits-of-cycling-and-walking

 

[Ian H]

Yes, that's the point.

Also, it's said that, although cyclists might be breathing more heavily than less active people, their breathing also makes the self-cleaning function of the the lungs more efficient.

 

[classic33]

It depends on whether the air con is set on recirculate or fresh air. If fresh, it's sucking air in from much lower down and nearer the exhausts than the cyclist is breathing. Pollen filters don't help as they won't filter out PM10s or NOx.

And if you want to travel down that route, you'd be looking at an enclosed system.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Whatèverl...they will ban petrol next...fo8k em