Jaagte Raho!

Every now and then, we read articles about people dying after they have slept in their AC car.

But why so? While driving in an AC car is safe, why do they face of risk of death while sleeping in AC car, if alone? The reasons are linked to mechanical reasons or the functionality of your car.

If the mechanical functions of your car are not up to the standard required, then the chances of a leakage of the car’s emissions through the exhaust into the vehicle’s cabin is high. Now most of the exhaust components such as nitrogen, oxygen and water have no adverse effects, and while carbon dioxide is non toxic, it has been targeted for reduction by Governments across the world for environmental reasons.

Now it is the leakage of carbon monoxide (CO) resulting from an incomplete combustion of fuel that can reduce the ability to blood to carry oxygen, thereby causing headaches and respiratory problems. In an extreme case, a build-up of (CO) can lead to a person suffocating. Obviously, a driver, who is awake, consciously or otherwise, rolls down the window or might get out of his or her car getting the life-saving respite as the Co emissions are released into the open. However, a person who is sleeping person starts to inhale CO without a respite, thereby increasing the risk of suffocation  and as the build-up of CO gradually within the closed car, it decreases the oxygen level inside the car.

CO is not the only villain in the pack. The other components of the emissions are no less lethal, in their own way.

Not only do they adversely impact on the human health but also on the ecology. In reaction to the atmosphere or with each other, they can contribute to acid rains, trigger respiratory problems, asthma and reduce lung function.

So the next time you go in for car servicing, do check the exhaust systems as well.