BLACK SMOKE FROM CARS AS WE KNOW IT: THE SILENT KILLER

BLACK SMOKE FROM CARS AS WE KNOW IT: THE SILENT KILLER

So on my way home yesterday, the car I was in was beside a Danfo bus (commercial bus) which was releasing black smoke into the atmosphere. Thankfully, the windows were up so I didn’t have to experience the horror of inhaling the gas but I was quite sad as to the number of people that just stood there inhaling the smoke; not like they had much of a choice. Matters worse, vendors sold different food items along as the smoke overshadowed their goods. Ever heard of mysterious deaths of an entire family that left their generator on in the house? Yes Carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible.

I always knew this was going to be the first topic I was going to write on, because a lot of times I’m stuck in traffic and there’s a car, Danfo or truck just beside releasing what a lame man knows as black smoke. For me as an environmentalist, I’m screaming “Oh No, Carbon monoxide”. I usually just want to get out and shove the vehicle off the road and say “How dare you? How dare you put people’s lives in danger?”

But I realized a lot of people barely known the implications of inhaling that smoke, let me explain the “Black smoke” we see daily in Lagos traffic or anywhere. Carbon monoxide (CO) popularly known as the Black smoke from exhaust fumes of vehicles (cars, trucks and tricycles) and generators is a toxic gas released into the atmosphere. CO belongs to the Carbon oxide family and it is probably the second most popular after Carbon dioxide (CO₂), but one of the most dangerous air pollutants as it is lethal to humans and animals. According to U.S. EPA, 2008, big cities have about 95% of their CO emissions from motor vehicles exhaust and the rest from natural sources such as wildfires; in our case generators and Suya/Barbecue (charcoal grills)….lol.

A lot of people cover their mouth and nose when passing a vehicle releasing CO into the environment but some seem to think it is an exaggeration done by attention seekers. Well! Here’s what most people don’t know:

1.       Every year, there are about 20,000 emergency cases of carbon monoxide poisoning in the US

2.       Carbon monoxide originates from devices such as vehicles, generators, charcoal grills and stoves that use fuels

3.       It is the poor maintenance of these devices that causes the black smoke to form due to improper combustion

4.       Running a car or a generator indoors can contribute to CO poisoning greatly

5.       It is called The Silent Killer

Although it is a silent killer, there are some symptoms to know if you have been poisoned by CO, such as:

1.       Irregular breathing

2.       Nausea (feel like vomiting)

3.       Fatigue (Tiredness)

4.       Dizziness

5.       Irritability

6.       Headaches…now you know why you have headaches in Lagos traffic, lol.

7.       Poor coordination

8.       Chest pain

9.       Abnormal reflexes

10.   Confusion

11.   Memory loss, Coma or Death ….in extreme cases

High risk occurs mostly in infants, elderly and pregnant women!

Tips on how to avoid CO poisoning and inhalation

1.       Avoid areas with the presence of CO

2.       When inhaled, move quickly to an area with fresh air

3.       Cover your nose with a damp handkerchief or hand towel if your are unable to leave the area

4.       Service cars, generators and other devices regularly to minimize the level of CO

5.       If you can’t service your generator, then don’t sleep and use it overnight

6.       Don’t leave vehicles running in closed garages

7.       Call the emergency line when symptoms persist

Now we know the silent killer, watch out!!!