Traffic Pollution, More Bang For The Buck?

Below are a couple of links on the subject of traffic pollution. This has been around in the modern form for much of the last century because of motorised road transport. At one time it was common to have lead in petrol, but this has been curbed now after the health implications were finally accepted.

Also, we have monitoring of pollution. But this took a long while to bring in and was based on earlier data. Since then the continuing development on fuel technology has changed what is in the fuels and the particle sizes. Additionally, the drive for better fuel efficiency means that the fuels are working harder.

It is my contention that the power and impact of the pollutants now pushed into the air is far greater than in the past and is having wider and greater effects. The link below is an indicator of what may be happening in terms of asthma.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110706094329.htm

Further to this is the situation in the centre of major urban areas and what is beginning to happen to the children who live in them.

http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/991495/air_pollution_may_be_health_timebomb_for_londons_deprived_children.html

It may be my imagination, but when I find myself in heavy traffic or crowded streets I feel that what is hitting my sense of smell is much greater than in the recent past.