Why Gasoline is Bad Homework Help

Name:

Institution:

Instructor:

Course:

Why Gasoline is Bad

Introduction

Over the years there has been growing concern over the impact of gasoline consumption. Gasoline is primarily used in internal combustion of engines in motor vehicles and powering machines in industries. Advancement in technology has facilitated the refinement of gasoline in a quest to reduce motor vehicle pollutants given its growing consumption especially in western countries. However, in spite of the efforts by agencies including the Federal Reformulated Gasoline (FRG) program the negative impacts on gasoline on health, economy and environment cannot be underestimated. This research paper will delineate the reasons as why gasoline is bad by focusing on the health, environmental and economic impacts of this product.

Health Implications

Gasoline is an essential resource and contains a mixture of numerous hydrocarbons such as benzene which contain carcinogens. According to Redman (6), 30-50% of all hydrocarbons in the air are released into the environment during refuelling of motor vehicles and from engine exhausts. The hydrocarbons from gasoline are potentially toxic to human being because they cause air and water pollution. In addition, when gasoline finds its way into surface and ground water sources a significant threat to public health. The health impact arising from consumption of gasoline is insurmountable.

Incomplete combustion of gasoline results to emission of carbon monoxide which is a poisonous gas. Exhaust fumes from motor vehicles of motor vehicle has adverse effect on both passengers and the general public largely because of the toxic chemicals emitted during burning of fossil fuels. Toxins from gasoline cause depression of central nervous system and carcinogenicity. According to Verma and des Tombe (225), benzene also is also known to cause immune system diseases and lymphoma after 5 to 15 years of an individual getting exposed to this chemical. Toxic chemicals from gasoline in the environment also cause an array of respiratory diseases. Carcinogens cause cancer and leukaemia in humans. In addition, carcinogens lower the number of white blood cells in humans making them highly susceptible to a myriad of diseases.

Environmental Implications

Burning of gasoline leads to emission of carbon dioxide. The increasing consumption of gasoline consumption has lead to a significant increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide which contributes to the global warming. The green house effect has resulted in the erratic weather patterns over the last few decades. Green house gases including carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide react with heat from the sun causing smog like appearance. High levels of green house gases in the environment cause acid rain which leads to destruction of coral reefs in oceans, and archaeological structures such as the marble ruins in Greece.

Spillage of gasoline into sources of water leads to pollution of waters which is not causes a threat to public health but also to aquatic life. Ethanol in gasoline makes it constituents highly soluble in water. In essence, although ethanol is less toxic it makes more toxic compounds in gasoline toxic thus polluting both surface and ground water. According to Wu et al (981), ethanol which is used as an additive in gasoline makes gives it a greater lateral spread thus forming a layer on underground water. Transportation of gasoline through underground pipes leads to spillage in soil and water. In addition, storage tanks may cause spillage of the gasoline into the soil and sources of water. Gasoline leakages in the soil cause stunted growth in plants, damages vegetation and trees and reduces farm yield. Gasoline spills in soil have a significant impact and technology for gasoline clean-up is considerably expensive.

Economic Implications

Gasoline is used for transportation and as an energy source in many sectors in the economy. However, the economic implications incurred including gasoline taxes, cost of refining gasoline in a quest to reduce environmental pollution and health care cost from exposure to gasoline pollutants is considerably high.

According to Parry (67), gasoline tax burdens are limiting income mobility in countries including the United States and United Kingdom. Gasoline taxes were adopted as a solution to increased motor vehicle congestion and alleviate pollution. Gasoline tax is regressive in nature thus imposes a higher tax burden on low income than high income individuals. In addition the cost of gasoline has been on the rise largely because of supply constraints. Due to reliance of gasoline in the transport sector fluctuation in prices of this commodity cause economy wide instability. For instance, food prices rise significantly after an upward adjustment in gasoline prices.

The health implications of gasoline are a major cost driver in the economy due to the astoundingly high health care costs resulting from exposure to toxic chemical substances from gasoline such as benzene. In addition, the cost of cleaning up the environment due to pollution by compounds of gasoline is taking its toll on the economy. Essentially, the costs associated with use of gasoline are considerably higher than the benefits.

Conclusion

Essentially, overconsumption of gasoline due to congestion of motor vehicles and industrialization has lead to accumulation of toxic chemicals in the environment, negative impact on public health and financial burdens in the economy thus this product is considered as bad.

Works Cited

Parry, Ian. “Are Gasoline Taxes in Britain Too High?” Challenge 44.4 (2001): 67-81. ABI/INFORM Complete. Web. 20 Sep. 2012.

Redman, Herbert. The Gasoline Age-Why? USA: Author House. 2006. Print.

Verma, Dave K., and des Tombe Karen. “Benzene in Gasoline and Crude Oil: Occupational and Environmental Implications.” AIHA Journal 63.2 (2002): 225-30. ABI/INFORM Complete. Web. 20 Sep. 2012.

Wu, May., Mintz, Marianne., & Wang, Micheal.  “Water Consumption in the Production of Ethanol and Petroleum Gasoline.” Environmental management 44.5 (2009): 981-97. ABI/INFORM Complete. Web. 20 Sep. 2012.