Traffic Exhaust & Its Effects on Air Quality in Homes

Monster truck show in Hamburg had to be called off due to elevated exhaust levels

Huge trucks race over ramps, flip over, and rev their engines. At the "Monster Jam" event, drivers really step on the gas, and the trucks blow a lot of exhaust through their tailpipes, which accumulates in the air. This also happened at Hamburg's Barclays Arena. In the enclosed hall, exhaust fumes built up to a sharply elevated carbon monoxide concentration.

The organizers first detected elevated exhaust levels using their own monitors and paused the show. Later, the fire department received an alarm due to the rising traffic pollutants, and the show was called off. Several children in the audience showed symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. A six-year-old child even had to receive medical treatment in the hospital.

What is exhaust?

Traffic exhaust consists of emissions caused by vehicles like cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and airplanes. This exhaust mainly results from the combustion process of fuels in engines and contains various pollutants that are released into the atmosphere. What's problematic about many exhaust gases, like carbon monoxide, is that the gases are tasteless and odorless and can, in extreme cases, lead to death. 

What pollutants are in car exhaust?

Typical traffic exhaust pollutants include:

Carbon monoxide (CO)

The colorless, odorless gas forms from incomplete combustion and is toxic. Carbon monoxide occupies the binding sites in the blood meant for vital oxygen. As a result, the body can absorb and transport less oxygen, resulting in carbon monoxide poisoning. Depending on the level of the air pollutant, this poisoning can lead to chronic heart and nerve diseases long-term, or even be fatal.

Hydrocarbons (HC)

These also form from incomplete combustion and include a range of organic compounds that can contribute to air pollution.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx)

Nitrogen oxides like nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) are strong respiratory toxins and form at high combustion temperatures. They contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone as well as acid rain. In sensitive individuals, even low concentrations already show up as irritation of the mucous membranes of the airways and eyes. 100 ppm of the gas is lethal after one hour. Acute poisoning is accompanied by initial dizziness and headaches; pulmonary edema can lead to death even days later.

Particulate matter

Particulate matter consists of small solid particles resulting from fuel combustion or from tire wear, brake pad wear, and road surface abrasion. Besides organic components like soot from tire and tar particles, inorganic components attach to the particulate matter particles, including ammonium, nitrate, and sulfate salts as well as metals and their oxides. The fine particles can have serious effects on air quality and health. 

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)

SO₂ forms from burning sulfur-containing fuel like diesel and, like nitrogen oxides, contributes to the formation of acid rain. Even low concentrations of this strongly lung-irritating gas can cause acute symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, and inflammation of the airways and mucous membranes. 

Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

When fossil fuels are burned, the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide is released. It's a factor driving climate change. The reason for this is that the gas forms a greenhouse blanket in the Earth's atmosphere. This prevents heat from escaping into space. This increases the greenhouse effect, and temperature on Earth rises.

Above all, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter mainly occur in exhaust fumes. But factory emissions like hydrogen sulfide are also contained in vehicle exhaust.

What symptoms indicate CO poisoning?

The symptoms of CO poisoning can vary depending on the severity of exposure. Common signs and symptoms are headaches, dizziness and lightheadedness, nausea and vomiting, confusion and memory problems, muscle weakness, vision disturbances, up to fainting.

Since the symptoms are nonspecific, the symptoms of CO poisoning can easily be mistaken for other conditions. However, if several people in a room show similar symptoms, or these develop suddenly, this could be an indication of CO exposure. The elevated values can come from either road traffic or a defective stove or boiler.

How can you measure exhaust fumes in a home?

Traffic exhaust enters homes in various ways, especially in urban areas with heavy traffic: for example through open or leaky windows and doors, ventilation and air conditioning systems, leaky spots and gaps in the masonry, shared building ventilation shafts in multi-family homes, or proximity to garages and parking lots. Pollutants can also attach to shoes and clothing and thus be carried into the home.

To know how high the exposure to exhaust fumes in your room air is, you should measure the exhaust content. With an air quality monitor like the air-Q, you check room air and detect pollutants in real time. This lets the air quality monitor be used as an early warning system. If readings rise above the recommended limit value, the air-Q shows this via an intuitively understandable LED traffic-light display. The monitor also sends you push notifications on your smartphone, so you learn about elevated pollutant values even when you're not on-site.

What to do if there's too much traffic exhaust in your home

To minimize exposure to traffic exhaust in your home, we recommend the following measures:

• Avoid ventilating during rush hour traffic, especially in densely populated or traffic-heavy areas.
• Check air quality in your rooms with an air quality monitor like the air-Q and ventilate as needed — meaning when the air-Q recommends an air exchange.
• Use effective air filters in ventilation or air conditioning systems.
• Seal leaky spots and gaps in windows and doors to minimize unwanted entry of outdoor air or traffic exhaust.
• Avoid parking or letting vehicles idle with the engine running directly near living units.
• Watch for possible symptoms of CO exposure. If you suspect CO poisoning, leave the premises immediately and seek medical help.

By implementing these measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of CO exposure.

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