Understanding Exhaust Emissions in Vehicles
Exhaust gas emissions are the byproducts of combustion that occur in the combustion chamber of motor vehicles. These combustion byproducts consist of various harmful substances that are eventually released through the exhaust pipe. It is these harmful substances that emission testing processes conducted by car manufacturers, brand holders, and the government aim to reduce.
Harmful Substances Contained in Exhaust Gas Emissions
The harmful substances contained in exhaust gas emissions include the following:
1. Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, yet very dangerous. This gas can cause someone to faint or even die if inhaled in high quantities.
2. Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Carbon dioxide is similar to the gas we exhale during breathing. However, if produced in large amounts by numerous vehicles, it can impact global warming, especially when there are very few trees capable of converting CO2 into Oxygen (O2).
3. Nitrogen Oxides (NO or NOx)
This gas can cause eye irritation and disrupt the respiratory system. You may experience shortness of breath if you inhale too much nitrogen oxide.
4. Hydrocarbons (HC)
Hydrocarbons are usually produced from incomplete combustion in vehicles. This gas is typically found in unburned gasoline that exits through the exhaust pipe.
Dangers Posed by Exhaust Gas Emissions
There are quite a few dangers posed by exhaust gas emissions, ranging from damaging the respiratory system to harming the circulatory system.
1. Damaging the Respiratory System
Have you ever suddenly felt dizzy and had difficulty breathing while stuck in traffic? This happens because you are inhaling a lot of CO gas and other gases containing lead.
Lead (Pb) inhaled through tiny gas particles from exhaust fumes gradually accumulates in the lungs. Once accumulated, potential diseases include asthma and lung cancer.
If you are traveling and stuck in traffic, it is advisable to wear a mask to avoid inhaling air pollution containing lead. After arriving home, it is recommended to drink milk to neutralize the lead that has been inhaled.
2. Carcinogenic Properties
Exhaust gas emissions contain many substances that are carcinogenic. What is carcinogenic? Carcinogenic refers to substances that can trigger cancer in the human body.
Some carcinogenic substances in exhaust gas emissions include lead and benzene. Lead that settles in large amounts and comes into contact with the skin can cause skin irritation. Especially if this lead affects the lungs or even the brain. You can imagine how dangerous that is. Meanwhile, benzene inhaled by the body will disrupt the formation of red blood cells.
3. Dangerous to the Circulatory System
High levels of carbon monoxide inhaled through the nose can affect the viscosity of red blood cells. If the red blood cells become thick, the body will respond with inflammation. If this continues and worsens, it can lead to damage to blood vessels. Damage to blood vessels can result in death.
Exhaust Gas Emission Thresholds
After realizing that excessive exhaust gas emissions can be life-threatening, the government has established thresholds for permissible exhaust gas emissions for vehicles.
The government has determined through Ministerial Regulation No. 05 of 2006 regarding the Threshold Limits for Exhaust Gas Emissions from Old Motor Vehicles. In this regulation, the CO threshold for gasoline vehicles manufactured after 2007 is 1.5% Vol. Meanwhile, the threshold for HC is 200 ppm.
Indonesia's Exhaust Gas Emission Standards
Indonesia's exhaust gas emission standards are continually changing and striving for improvement. The emission standards of 1991 are not the same as those of 2021 due to the vastly different circumstances of the times. Currently, Indonesia is still using Euro 2 emission standards, but by April 2021, it will adopt Euro 4 emission standards.
The following are the emission standards that have evolved from the past to the present.
Euro 0
Gasoline NOx 1000 mg/km
Diesel NOx 1600 mg/km
Euro 1
Gasoline NOx 490 mg/km
Diesel NOx 780 mg/km
Diesel PM 140 mg/km
Euro 2
Gasoline NOx 250 mg/km
Diesel NOx 730 mg/km
Diesel PM 100 mg/km
Euro 3
Gasoline NOx 150 mg/km
Diesel NOx 500 mg/km
Diesel PM 50 mg/km
Euro 4
Gasoline NOx 80 mg/km
Diesel NOx 250 mg/km
Diesel PM 25 mg/km
Euro 5
Gasoline NOx 60 mg/km
Diesel NOx 180 mg/km
Diesel PM 5 mg/km
Euro 6
Gasoline NOx 60 mg/km
Diesel NOx 80 mg/km
Diesel PM 5 mg/km
From the data above, you can see that the trend of exhaust gas emission standards is becoming stricter. The reason is, of course, due to the large number of vehicles in the world and their rapid growth. If not limited and regulated strictly, you can imagine how much vehicle smoke would be on the roads. And that is a frightening thought.
Benefits of Exhaust Gas Emission Testing
The benefits of exhaust gas emission testing are numerous. From being able to determine the condition of the engine to its benefits for the environment. Here are some of the benefits.
- Can detect damage occurring in the car engine early.
- Can accurately determine the condition of the engine.
- Can assess the effectiveness of the fuel used and how optimally the power produced is.
- Can determine the best mixture setting between fuel and air.
- Can analyze the content of CO2 and HC, which indicates how effective the combustion results are.
- Limits cars that are no longer fit for use, ensuring that only environmentally friendly vehicles are on the roads. This certainly has a positive impact on our environment.
Tips to Reduce Exhaust Gas Emissions
Exhaust gas emissions from a car can be reduced with several treatments. Here are some tips to reduce exhaust gas emissions.
- Pay attention to the fuel lines and air filters to keep them clean. Dirty fuel lines or air filters can affect the level of hydrocarbons produced during combustion.
- Check the condition of the coils and spark plugs regularly. If they are not functioning optimally, replace them with new ones.
- Check the condition of the cooling and engine lubrication systems. Lubricants that burn can increase the level of carbon monoxide emitted.
- Check the oxygen sensor. Ensure it is working properly.
- Check the condition of the catalytic converter in the exhaust system that converts exhaust gas emissions into clean air.
- Use fuel that meets the specifications of the car's engine.
- Perform regular servicing to identify parts of the
