The next time you’re sitting at a red light, you might want to make sure your window is up.
A recent study found you’re exposed to 29 TIMES more car exhaust when you’re sitting in traffic, compared to driving full speed. Which obviously can cause heath issues over time, including cancer and heart disease.
You’re also exposed to it whenever you cross the street at a busy intersection. But people sitting in their cars are actually being exposed to 40% MORE fumes. So being in your car is worse than walking near heavy traffic.
The good news is that rolling your windows up cuts out about 75% of it. And there are a few other things you can do to help.
First, make sure your air conditioner is set so it’s recirculating the air in your car. You don’t want it sucking new air in, because it just brings in more pollution.
And don’t pull up right behind the car in front of you. If you leave five or ten feet of space, their car exhaust disperses more, and less of it ends up in your lungs.
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