The Lancet Planetary Health published an analysis that proved how devastating the impact of air pollution can be on a person’s health and life. According to the research, toxic air has become one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide and is in that bracket with cancer and heart disease. Pollution-related causes are linked to around nine million deaths since 2019. As such, one in six deaths worldwide is due to pollution.

Global Public Health Program and Global Pollution Observatory at Boston College director and research co-author Philip Landrigan, believes air pollution is now a major threat to environmental and human health. It is why governments are encouraged to shift to clean and renewable energy.

Landrigan’s co-author Rachael Kupka said that since air pollution is a global threat, the response and action must also be global. The focus should also be given to every modern pollutant.

These modern pollutants include lead pollution, occupational particulate matter, carcinogens, and ozone and particulate matter (PM2.5) in outdoor air. These pollutants are linked to over 5 million deaths year after year.

The Lancet report mentions several suggestions for fighting against air pollution, including making air pollution an important health issue and using a monitoring system in controlling hazards.

Some countries, particularly the United States and the UK, have created programs aimed at combatting air pollution. The Clean Air Act, London’s Ultra-Low Emission Zones (ULEZ), and the UK’s CAZs or Clean Air Zones are just some of the examples. Nevertheless, a lot of work still needs to be done before one can say the work is done. Pollution is a global issue; it knows no borders. Its impact is felt worldwide.

The VW Dieselgate emissions scandal

The Dieselgate scandal that happened around seven years ago is a major contributor to air pollution.

In September 2015, the Volkswagen Group was discovered to have fitted their diesel vehicles with illegal defeat devices used to cheat emission tests. As a consequence, the carmaker was fined and affected VW and Audi vehicles were recalled later on.

Defeat devices are engineered to know when a vehicle is in the lab for testing so they can suppress and hide the real emissions levels from authorities. These devices reduce emissions levels through artificial methods so they would remain within the limits the World Health Organization or WHO set.

However, once the vehicle is taken out and driven in real-world road and driving conditions, they automatically revert to its default settings. As a result, the vehicle releases massive amounts of NOx or nitrogen oxide, at levels that violate WHO and EU regulations.

Thus, any vehicle with a defeat device is a pollutant. Volkswagen, therefore, lied to their customers and mis-sold the vehicles at a premium price.

The VW Group is not the only carmaker involved in the diesel emissions scandal. Mercedes-Benz, a popular German manufacturer, was implicated in the scam around one year later after US Mercedes car owners joined together to file a class-action lawsuit against the carmaker.

In the UK, the Mercedes emissions scandal reached its peak in 2020 when affected car owners brought to court group litigation against the manufacturer. Over the years, Mercedes (like VW) has bled thousands upon thousands to fines and compensation claims, and numerous affected vehicles have been recalled as well.

Car owners affected by the scandal are encouraged to make a claim for compensation against their carmaker for all the environmental and financial inconvenience caused by the illegal device. Exposure to NOx or nitrogen oxide emissions also leads to life-changing health conditions.

Nitrogen oxide emissions

NOx or nitrogen oxide is a group of gases that has nitric oxide or NO and nitrogen dioxide or NO2. On its own, NO can be relatively harmless, but once it combines and reacts with NO2, the two become NOx.

When this group of toxic gases reacts with other chemicals, it creates smog, acid rain, and ground-level ozone. The latter weakens vegetation and makes it more sensitive to frost and damage. Ground-level ozone also retards plant growth.

Several studies have proven that there is a link between NOx emissions and mental health. Exposure to the emissions can cause depression or anxiety. NOx emissions have also been known to reduce a person’s cognitive abilities.

The impacts of NOx emissions on a person’s health vary according to the regularity and level of exposure. The most common ones, however, are the following:

Asthma
Respiratory diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis
Headaches
Vomiting
Nausea
Asphyxiation
Breathing difficulties
Lung problems
Laryngospasm or spasm of the vocal cords
Cancer
Cardiovascular diseases
Early death
Do your part by making a Mercedes emissions claim

Aside from financial compensation, what else can you get if you bring a claim against your carmaker? You’ll be able to help in the campaign against air pollution in your own little way. Your manufacturer should be held accountable for their deceitful actions. A diesel claim will help you do this.

First off, however, you have to determine if you are eligible to make a Mercedes emissions claim. Get in touch with the panel of solicitors at ClaimExperts.co.uk to find out if you meet the qualifications for making an emissions claim. You’ll know which direction to take once you have verified your eligibility.