“One, it hasn’t been regulated. Second, its chemical composition can be potentially more toxic, especially for brakes’ [particulate matter] … they’re all metallic.”

Here’s another reason why the 15 minute city will win. No one wants particulate matter in their lungs!

  • perestroika
    2·
    1 year ago

    True. But also (not necessarily in that order) carbon monoxide, incompletely combusted hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. Trying to figure it out, I stumbled on a Wikipedia article about it here.

    They have a quantity analysis based on the average US car, saying 35 kg of hydrocarbons per year, 261 kilograms of carbon monoxide per year, and 17 kilograms of nitrogen oxides…

    …alongside 5 tons of carbon dioxide (my driving scenario of 2400 liters per 4 years was not based on averages or the US, but my own consumption before going electric). On the other hand, this kind of driving will probably also increase the amount of tyre pollution - these average cars will be changing tyres more frequently.