“According to the United States
Environmental Protection Agency, driving a car is the single most polluting
thing that most of us do.”  This is not a new problem.  In the 1950’s the Los
Angeles smog made head-line news.  Car exhaust causes health problems.  There
are many solutions to the problem. 

            Laws
were enacted as long as twenty years ago to control pollution caused by cars. 
Since then laws have been made, such as special nozzles on gas pumps that
prevent vapor from getting into the air.  We also have more tests on cars to
make sure cars are maintained in a way that protects our environment.  In
cities, laws ask that more people ride on buses, and employees that drive company
cars should limit the time they drive and the number of trips that they make.

            Cars emit several pollutants that are
toxic.  This causes many problems.  One problem it causes is cancer.  Most cars
generate hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide.  Hydrocarbons
cause eye irritation, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and lung
damage.  Nitrogen oxide causes acid rain and leads to water quality problems. 
Carbon monoxide prevents oxygen from going through the lungs properly.  All of
these problems can be serious and effect the health of the people who live in
the United States.

            Some solutions to the problem are: cutting
down on the number of cars, traveling at steady speeds, and keeping your car in
good shape.  You should never over fill your gas tank.  You should always use
clean gas.  People should buy newer cars because they are made to create less
pollution.

            In summary, the problem of pollution from
car exhaust is not new and is the single most polluting thing we do.  The
situation is so serious that many laws have been enacted to protect our
environment.  The pollutants that are emitted in car exhaust are very dangerous
to our health.  There are solutions to the problem if we just pay attention.

Alexander V. Myskin, gr. 301