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<body class='hmmessage'>I'm painfully aware of the exhaust issue.. Particularly in the winter when it's more obvious. I attribute it at least in part to the nasty cough I've developed.. I do smoke but not a whole helluva lot.<br><br>> Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:26:40 -0400<br>> From: charvak@alum.mit.edu<br>> To: list@bostoncriticalmass.org<br>> Subject: [*BCM*] exhaust fumes<br>> <br>> I read Monique's Globe article, half the comments, and the discussion<br>> on our mailing list. Nobody mentions the role of automobile exhaust<br>> in the decisions cyclists make about how to ride. The next time<br>> you're riding up a hill with a line of 20 cars behind you, think about<br>> the effects on your lungs if you pull to the right and let them pass<br>> you. Why do people think they have a right to spew toxic fumes into<br>> the road?<br>> <br>> Some scientist was telling me that the ultrafine particles coming out<br>> of car exhaust are most dangerous for about 20 seconds after emission,<br>> until they clump together and become larger. US auto exhaust looks<br>> cleaner than the stuff in the third world because there are fewer<br>> larger particles, but it's worse for you especially because it's less<br>> uncomfortable to breathe.<br>> <br>> Oh, and does anyone else hate those diesel trucks with the exhaust<br>> pipes down below by the driveshaft? I guess it's cheaper that way,<br>> but the ones with the pipes going up to the roof are so much nicer, as<br>> are CNG buses. If you drive a stinky car, I'm most likely to get in<br>> front of you and intentionally block you from passing me. At least<br>> Monique doesn't have that problem.<br>> <br>> Admittedly, my car's exhaust isn't the cleanest, but whenever I pass<br>> bikes, I make it a point to give extra room and push the clutch out<br>> and coast for a bit after I pass so I'm not accelerating in his face.<br>> _______________________________________________<br>> Boston Critical Mass mailing list<br>> list@bostoncriticalmass.org<br>> http://bostoncriticalmass.org/list<br>> To unsubscribe email list-unsubscribe@bostoncriticalmass.org<br><br /><hr />Get free photo software from Windows Live <a href='http://www.windowslive.com/online/photos?ocid=PID23393::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:SI_PH_software:082009' target='_new'>Click here.</a></body>
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