Month: April 2023

Rich vs Poor – Is Air Pollution Fair?

Sotirios PapathanasiouLeave a comment

Air pollution is an environmental problem that affects everyone in the world, regardless of their socio-economic status. Rich or poor, we all share the same air, and when it is polluted, it affects us all. Whether it is the air of a city or a rural area, air pollution is a problem that cannot be ignored.

Air pollution occurs when harmful pollutants are released into the atmosphere. These pollutants can come from a variety of sources, including factories, cars, wood stoves, and even forest fires. Air pollutants can be in the form of gases, such as nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, or particles, such as soot, black carbon, and dust.

Rich or poor, everyone breathes the same air, and when it is polluted, it can lead to a variety of health issues. Air pollution can cause respiratory problems, such as asthma and bronchitis, as well as cardiovascular diseases. It can also increase the risk of cancer and other serious illnesses. Even if you don’t have any immediate health issues, air pollution can still affect your quality of life. It can make it difficult to do everyday activities, such as going for a jog or playing outdoors with your kids.

However, rich people have the resources to manage air pollution better than poor people as they are in a better position to purchase air purifiers and other air quality products. Additionally, they can have access to medical support.

I want to focus on how rich people can use their influence to encourage corporate responsibility. Companies can invest in clean energy technologies, reduce their own emissions, and invest in research and development of new air pollution abatement technologies. They can also provide incentives for employees to use public transportation, carpool, and ride bikes in order to reduce emissions from transportation. They can invest in clean energy technology, such as solar, wind, or hydroelectric power, that can reduce emissions from burning fossil fuels.

Rich people can also donate money to organizations that are actively fighting air pollution. This could be anything from supporting research into new clean energy sources to funding campaigns that promote public awareness of air pollution. They can also use their influence to lobby governments to pass laws and regulations that help to reduce air pollution.

All in all, air pollution doesn’t discriminate against rich or poor, but rich people have the necessary tools to protect themselves and influence others, do you agree?

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Why every Car needs a CO2 Monitor/Sensor?

Sotirios Papathanasiou1 Comment

Let’s forget at the moment that combustion vehicles emit carbon dioxide (CO2), and focus on the occupants that spend time inside a confined space where they emit CO2 due to metabolite of cell respiration. Vehicles form part of the indoor spaces where humans spend a lot of time due to traffic or because they have to travel long distances.

Regulatory bodies have been controlling many aspects of modern vehicles; tires, mirrors, seat belts, airbags, screens, etc. However, they have forgotten to look into the air quality inside the vehicles and how it affects the driver’s cognitive performance.

When the air inside a vehicle is not renewed and we keep recirculating the same air over and over, then CO2 is built up in levels that can affect our cognitive performance. Basically, carbon dioxide makes us sleepy.

Researchers have found that for every 500 ppm increase of CO2 results in a drop in response times by 2.4%. A different study concludes that levels of CO2 at 1400 ppm, may cut our basic decision-making ability by 25%, and complex strategic thinking by around 50%.

The solution is easy, we force the air conditioning system to take air from outside. Well, unfortunately, this is not a good idea most of the time because filters cannot capture ultra-fine particles or gases like the notorious toxic nitrogen dioxide. You don’t want your car to suck the air from the exhaust pipe of the car in front of you.

What I propose is that the vehicle’s automation systems with the help of air quality sensors will manage the vehicle’s indoor air quality. If CO2 surpasses certain levels and air quality outdoors is at acceptable levels then the vehicle will switch from recirculating air to outdoor air until CO2 levels will drop down. The driver doesn’t need to know or look at the control panel, as everything happens like magic.

In conclusion, it is a dual safety feature that will help people breathe better air and avoid fatal accidents on the streets.