Measures against exhaust gas in apartments along main roads
Apartments along main streets are convenient in terms of access, but the impact of car exhaust gas is a concern.
Considering the negative effects on your health, if you live along a busy road, it's a good idea to be careful about exhaust emissions.
This time, I would like to summarize what I have learned about the actual state of exhaust gas and consider countermeasures.
Main components contained in exhaust gas
Exhaust gases are emitted from a vehicle's enginegas,Fine particlesmixture of.
Specifically, it includes the following:
- Sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) :
gaseous components.Sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides include nitrogen oxides (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and are related to smog and acid rain. - Volatile organic compounds (VOC) :
gaseous components.Hydrocarbons and aldehydes such as benzene and formaldehyde.
- Suspended particulate matter (SPM) :
Particulate matter.It is produced by burning things.Microscopic particles with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less arePM2.5Called.
is a gaseous substanceSOx, NOx, VOCIt is difficult to notice because it is invisible, butSPMI think there are many people who are concerned about this, as it is the cause of dust accumulation and the soot-like appearance of the balcony.Because they are extremely small particles, they can be carried by the wind and reach the upper floors (PM2.5 can even come from the continent).
In particularPM2.5Be careful because it can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause respiratory and heart diseases.
Quote:Status of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions in vehicle exhaust gas
How many would be a problem?
Of the components in exhaust gasPM2.5 concentration standards(a standard that is desirable to be maintained in order to protect human health) is:
- Annual average: < 15 µg/m3
- Daily average: < 35 µg/m3
This is stipulated by the Ministry of the Environment.
vice versaThe alert level is">70 µg/m3".
Days change depending on various conditions, such as traffic volume, wind direction, and summer when light reactions that produce PM2.5 increase.Even if it increases in the short term, it is desirable to keep it below the daily average value.
What is the actual concentration?
The actual concentration is based on real-time monitoring by each local government.
Even in Tokyo, the concentration has remained within safe standards at 10-20 µg/m3 for some time → Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of the Environment:Constant monitoring measurement of PM2.5
Flight distance to surrounding area
Particles and gases emitted from exhaust gas can be carried by the wind and spread over long distances, so even if you are far from a highway, if you are downwind, you may be exposed to exhaust gas.
This is just a guideline as it depends on road traffic conditions, weather and topographical conditions.Survey along arterial roads conducted by Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental CorporationSo, it is as follows.
- PM2.5The concentration ofRoadside (0m)At the alert level (80 μg / m3degree)
- from the roadAfter 30 m distance, it drops to within safe standards (30 μg/m3).
- However, depending on the wind direction, the concentration at 80 m may be higher than at 30 m.
- The results showed that there was not much difference between 30 and 80 m.
Even if you move away from one road, you are now approaching another road, so it may be difficult to see a difference at distances of 30 meters or more.
The data is from 2003, so the results are from a situation where exhaust gas regulations are looser than they are now, but if you're in an urban area, you'll want to be careful even if you're not near the road.
can actually be doneExhaust gas measures
Measures against indoor air
Air purifier installation
The first thing that comes to mind is an air purifier. HEPA filters can remove PM2.5, and activated carbon filters can remove sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOC).
recentlyDaikin,Dysonhas released a product that claims to be compatible with automobile exhaust gas.
However, the downside is that it takes up a lot of space.Apartments are already small, so if you want to make the most of the space, the following methods may be effective.
Installation of PM2.5 filter for air conditioner
Since you simply add a filter to your existing air conditioner, it doesn't take up much space and additional costs are kept to a minimum.
These are mechanisms that circulate and purify indoor air.The effectiveness decreases if the air in the room is replaced, so it may be better to use the following measures in combination.
Measures to take when bringing in outside air
Adding a vent filter
Unix's 24-hour ventilation filter claims ``Catching efficiency: 95% (mass method/JIS 15 type), PM2.5: 50%'', and we use it regularly.
Installing a screen filter
Ventilation filters deteriorate and become clogged more quickly than the filters in air purifiers and air conditioners, so replace them frequently.This can improve indoor air quality.
Summary
Exhaust gas is one of the issues when living in an apartment along a main road, but a comfortable environment can be achieved by taking appropriate measures.
Using air purifiers, air conditioner filters, vent filters, etc. can help you maintain a healthy and comfortable life.
Please consider these measures to protect yourself and your family's health.