<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Umbra on exerting yourself in traffic]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by sindark http://www.grist.org/article/the-saga-of-fume/ Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:42:36 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-saga-of-fume/1 Masks

Thanks for the information.

Is there any justification for the filter masks some cyclists wear in urban areas? Do they appreciably reduce pollution inhalation?

]]> Masks

Thanks for the information.

Is there any justification for the filter masks some cyclists wear in urban areas? Do they appreciably reduce pollution inhalation?

]]> Comment #2 by swan http://www.grist.org/article/the-saga-of-fume/ Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:07:53 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-saga-of-fume/2 Masks

Yes! I have an "I Can Breathe" mask and it helps a lot. I have asthma and there are a lot of places I couldn't go without it.

]]> Masks

Yes! I have an "I Can Breathe" mask and it helps a lot. I have asthma and there are a lot of places I couldn't go without it.

]]> Comment #3 by Zino http://www.grist.org/article/the-saga-of-fume/ Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:10:34 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-saga-of-fume/3 The nose knows...

Just blow your nose on a (hopefully) clean handkerchief after a long, urban bike ride. See that grime in there with the formerly bits of you?

A mask certainly can help keep the particulates down but it's hot in the summer and likely will steam your glasses as you huff-and-puff, so be careful.

The one bit of bummer on this note is the "sudden death by REALLY REALLY LARGE particle" problem, otherwise known as a vehicle, bearing down on you blindly as the driver simultaneously dials phone, eats bagel and changes iTune settings.

]]> The nose knows...

Just blow your nose on a (hopefully) clean handkerchief after a long, urban bike ride. See that grime in there with the formerly bits of you?

A mask certainly can help keep the particulates down but it's hot in the summer and likely will steam your glasses as you huff-and-puff, so be careful.

The one bit of bummer on this note is the "sudden death by REALLY REALLY LARGE particle" problem, otherwise known as a vehicle, bearing down on you blindly as the driver simultaneously dials phone, eats bagel and changes iTune settings.

]]> Comment #4 by timdiller http://www.grist.org/article/the-saga-of-fume/ Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:41:04 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-saga-of-fume/4 A Little bit of balance to the discussion...

I also am a bicycle commuter and have worried about this some, and I understand the concerns. I also happen to be getting my Ph.D. studying engine emissions measurements and mitigation. I think that Umbra's response makes out automobiles to be terrible polluting machines, which is really just not the case, at least for cars less than, say, 5 years old. For gasoline powered cars, the air emitted from the exhaust pipe is probably cleaner than the air taken in at the front, due to the high efficiency of the combustion process and the even higher efficiency of the catalytic cleansing system.
The real danger is presented by older diesel vehicles (the newer ones 2007 and later are held to the same standards as the gas-powered) emit a lot of particulate matter (you can see and smell it) and NOx, which are both lung irritants. It would be wise to ride your bike where the buses and big rigs don't go, but there's not much to fear, pollutant-wise from most of the passenger cars on the road.
In the end, remember too that the human nose is incredible sensitive to hydrocarbons, and if there are any present, in even tiny quantities, your nose will tell you. Move out of the way, and the next breeze will clear the air, so to speak. As for NOx and ozone, these are usually only a problem in the hottest parts of the hottest days and concentrated near the highways where the big rigs run. Not taking your bike on the highway is always sound advice for more than air quality reasons...
Here endeth the lesson.


]]> A Little bit of balance to the discussion...

I also am a bicycle commuter and have worried about this some, and I understand the concerns. I also happen to be getting my Ph.D. studying engine emissions measurements and mitigation. I think that Umbra's response makes out automobiles to be terrible polluting machines, which is really just not the case, at least for cars less than, say, 5 years old. For gasoline powered cars, the air emitted from the exhaust pipe is probably cleaner than the air taken in at the front, due to the high efficiency of the combustion process and the even higher efficiency of the catalytic cleansing system.
The real danger is presented by older diesel vehicles (the newer ones 2007 and later are held to the same standards as the gas-powered) emit a lot of particulate matter (you can see and smell it) and NOx, which are both lung irritants. It would be wise to ride your bike where the buses and big rigs don't go, but there's not much to fear, pollutant-wise from most of the passenger cars on the road.
In the end, remember too that the human nose is incredible sensitive to hydrocarbons, and if there are any present, in even tiny quantities, your nose will tell you. Move out of the way, and the next breeze will clear the air, so to speak. As for NOx and ozone, these are usually only a problem in the hottest parts of the hottest days and concentrated near the highways where the big rigs run. Not taking your bike on the highway is always sound advice for more than air quality reasons...
Here endeth the lesson.


]]> Comment #5 by DannyGirl http://www.grist.org/article/the-saga-of-fume/ Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:02:45 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-saga-of-fume/5 always wondered if those ionizer thingies work

I have one of those ionizer 'air cleaner' thingies in my cigarette lighter - always wondered if it actually works or if it's just a good luck charm for my air.  Better than a stinky tree, I suppose.

I don't know if this makes a lick of difference but I compulsively change my auto's airflow from 'fresh' to 'recycle' when I'm behind another vehicle that stinks or puts out visible fumes.  I'm sure this isn't entirely scientific since there's bad stuff you can't see or smell, but it soothes me and I'm the one who has to put up with me.

Back in my bike-riding daze I would try to avoid stinky cars, avoid hanging behind idling cars at intersections, hold my breath when possible & necessary, anything to cut the exposure.  

]]> always wondered if those ionizer thingies work

I have one of those ionizer 'air cleaner' thingies in my cigarette lighter - always wondered if it actually works or if it's just a good luck charm for my air.  Better than a stinky tree, I suppose.

I don't know if this makes a lick of difference but I compulsively change my auto's airflow from 'fresh' to 'recycle' when I'm behind another vehicle that stinks or puts out visible fumes.  I'm sure this isn't entirely scientific since there's bad stuff you can't see or smell, but it soothes me and I'm the one who has to put up with me.

Back in my bike-riding daze I would try to avoid stinky cars, avoid hanging behind idling cars at intersections, hold my breath when possible & necessary, anything to cut the exposure.  

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