From Guest Blogger Lizzie Weakly: Junkers and Clunkers: How Your Old Car is Impacting the Environment

With an old car, you mostly think about how poorly it runs. You don’t consider the long-term effects of pollution that it is causing the environment. It’s important to understand the impact that cars are having on the air, water and soil. Learn more about how your old car is not very environmentally friendly.

Typical Contaminants

There are certain types of contaminants that are linked to old cars. Many cars have oil leaks that contain petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals. The toxins are carcinogens that pollute the water by moving through sewers and down to waterways.

Polluted water moves from a smaller waterway to a larger one. Pollutants that are found in a river could end up in the ocean. In any body of water, pollution reduces the number of wildlife there and ruins the entire ecosystem. Humans are affected when they drink toxic water that causes health problems.

An old car that rusts is a severe toxic hazard. When it rains, the toxins run off the body, down the pavement and into the sewers. An old car also needs a lot of maintenance, but many toxic chemicals are found in degreasers and car cleaning products.

Debris Contamination

Old vehicles are worn down and likely to break apart in pieces. On the road, you may find pieces of metal or rubber tire that have broken off and remained on the ground. Car parts are not biodegradable and will remain in the environment unless they are recycled.

Air Pollution

Cars are major contributors to air pollution. An old car model from the 1960s to 1990s is more likely to release pollutants than a new model. Older versions of cars were not made for energy efficiency, so you use more gas to power them. Overall, the cars release more hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide into the air.

Getting Rid of a Junker

A junk car that sits in the yard is a hazard to get rid of. A junkyard is available to take an old car off with the assistance of towing specialists like U Pull & Pay. Either dispose of the car or sell it for parts to mechanics and car manufacturers.

An old car is more of a burden and a hazard than it seems. In addition to being less efficient each year, it is toxic to the environment and releases many hidden contaminants. Know when it’s time to take an old car off your hands.