Idling car engines a public health hazard
We should start by encouraging people not to do this (leaving engines idling) and change the mindset of our society. Lo Khere Chiang, Batu Kitang assemblyman
KUCHING: Vehicles parked for long periods in front of eateries, parks and residential areas with their engines running are now a common sight in Kuching.
Besides being a major source of air pollution, other negative impacts of leaving a vehicle idling are fuel wastage and noise pollution.
According to the World Health Organisation ( WHO), particle pollution also known as particulate matter ( PM) is a mixture of solids and liquid droplets floating in the air and is identified by either PM2.5 or PM10 where PM2.5 denotes particulate matter sizing less than 2.5 micrometre in diameter and PM10 indicates particulate matter sized less than 10 micrometre in diameter.
Among the general health effects of long term exposure to PM2.5 from vehicle emissions are decreased lung function, development of chronic bronchitis, stroke and premature death while short term exposure can cause a range of effects including decreased lung function, increased respiratory symptoms and heart attacks.
PM2.5, according to WHO, is also able to cause serious health implications at a relatively low concentration.
Meanwhile, PM10 according to WHO, can cause respiratory impairments and aggravate existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease while individuals with heart or lung disease as well as the elderly and children are most sensitive to the effects of PM10.
Other major emissions from idle engines would include sulphur dioxide ( SO2) which can cause respiratory impairment and aggravate existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Individuals with heart or lung disease as well as the elderly and children are most sensitive to the effects of SO2.
Also emitted by idling vehicles are nitrogen dioxide (NO2) which increases the risk of respiratory infection and impairs lung functions in asthmatics, and carbon monoxide ( CO) which deprives body tissues of oxygen and causes nausea and impairs vigilance.
“We should start by encouraging people not to do this ( leaving engines idling) and change the mindset of our society,” Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang told The Borneo Post yesterday.
He also opined that it was not necessary yet to set up laws or regulations to compound these errant drivers such as in Singapore and other countries as the situation now still does not warrant an iron fist.
In Singapore, the republic’s National Environment Agency is cracking the whip on these drivers by increasing the penalty for repeat offences of leaving their vehicles’ engine idling from June 1, 2016.
The compound is now set at S$ 100 from the previous S$ 70. If the composition sum is not paid, the errant motorist is liable to a maximum court fine of S$ 5,000 upon conviction.
Under Singapore’s Environmental Protection and Management ( Vehicular Emissions) Regulations, it is an offence to leave the engine of a motor vehicle running when the vehicle is stationary for reasons other than traffic conditions.
“The problem now (in Kuching) is still contained and most people are still not against it,” opined Lo who is also chairman of the Padawan Municipal Council.
He added that other laws and regulations such as littering would be futile if the people’s mindsets are not changed through awareness and educational campaigns on the real benefits of living in a clean environment.
On another note, he also said motorists who keep their cars idling especially at public parks should be considerate to joggers and other visitors who are looking forward to enjoying the clean air.
“If one day, the law is passed to compound these errant drivers in Malaysia, I would feel disappointed as this only ref lects that we have low civicmindedness,” Lo said.