Introduction
When we look at the general meaning of the term hybrid, it is a term used in the breeding of both plants and animals. Animals of different species most of which are of greater quality are normally because of crossbreed. The same case applies to plants and in both; the new product is normally referred to as a hybrid. Those who came up with the name a ‘hybrid car’ should have derived the name from the above reasoning but in this case, the cars are not crossbred because they are not living. It involves the crossing of the existing technology to attain the best from them and hence end up with a more efficient vehicle (Peterson, 2012). There are more than two million hybrid vehicles in use by people in the United States of America alone today. Hybrid cars are considered to contribute a lot towards the healthy living of human beings.
Many detrimental health effects are caused by pollution from vehicles that are not hybrid. The pollution from such vehicles causes adverse health effects such as acute problems of respiratory due to the inhalation of gases causing inflammation of the lung tissues (Papyrakis & FitzRoy, 2009).
Secondly, the immune system of the body is impaired because of inhalation of the gases. In addition, the level of oxygen reaching the body tissues is also reduced leading to the death of some of the most critical body cells. Moreover, outdoor pollution from vehicles can also increase the risk factors, which lead to the development of cancer tissues. The invention of hybrid cars, which do not use fossil fuels, has helped to reduce some of the detrimental health effects. Although electric cars have their disadvantages, their benefits outweigh them to a great extent. The future of the vehicle industry thus lies in the use of hybrid cars.
Hybrid Car Models
There are many models of a hybrid car. All these models are designed to make the environment more friendly in terms of health. They include muscle hybrids, full hybrids, mild hybrids, and plug-in hybrids. Nevertheless, some models are better than others are. Types such as the plug-in and the full hybrids can provide power for the car during normal driving conditions for a reasonable amount of distance using an electric engine without the assistance of gasoline fuel. Some of the companies that have come up with quality hybrid cars include, Toyota, which has made the ‘Toyota Prius and the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord, the Honda Insight, and the Honda civic.
Other examples of hybrid cars in the market include the Lexus ct 200, the Lexus Hs 250h, the Ford fusion, the Mercedes ML 450, The Volkswagen Touareg, the Chevrolet Tahoe just to mention a few (Bitsche & Gutmann, 2004). “One of the upcoming modern plugs in hybrid is the Chevy Volt, which can recharge very powerful batteries using a common household electric socket, while at the same time maintaining a small gasoline engine resulting to a longer driving range” (Granovskii & Rosen, 2006).
Benefits of Hybrid Cars
Unlike cars that burn fossil fuels, hybrid cars such as electric and solar cars produce fewer gases do not pollute the environment. Cars that use fossil fuels produce gases, which affect the lungs of an individual. The emissions are very dangerous because they affect the respiratory system and can even lead to the development of cancer tissues, which can lead to death. Some of the respiratory infections, caused by fossil fuels include pneumonia, cancer, and even bronchitis. The good news about hybrid cars is that they do not produce harmful gases (Peterson, 2012).
It is important to note that hybrid cars use electricity, which can be produced using artificial means. This helps reduce wastage, making the car very convenient. In addition, the car does not have noise pollution because it is a silent car. This is because the car uses electricity and does not require the burning of gases for it to produce energy. It is thus important to ensure that every person buys electric cars to avoid environmental pollution. The car is also safe it may not cause deaths when left undriven. The car also works with battery technology and can be used by individuals allergic to fossil fuels (Granovskii & Rosen, 2006).
One of the benefits of using a hybrid car is that it reduces the detrimental health effects caused by the use of fossil fuels. The car uses magnetic batteries charged with electricity. In addition, the cars also contain nickel batteries, which help reduce the effects of pollution. People who have active cancer cells are advised to avoid all the risk factors, which can lead to their death (Lave, Hendrickson & McMichael, 1995).
Due to the fuel economy and lack of emission of carbon gases, hybrid cars are the best health companions for individuals (Krzyzanowski & Kuna-Dibbert, 2005). Given the fact that the cars have been mounted with electric batteries and chargers, they do not any the harmful gases. Hybrid cars are also efficient for the environment in that they do not cause pollution of any sort. Automakers also argue that hybrid cars are cheaper to maintain than other cars.
Health Risks of a Hybrid Car
There are also health risks caused by the continued use of electric cars. This is because the car operates using an electromagnetic field thus producing EMFs, which are harmful to the human body. The cars have the potential of producing EMF due to the electric flow of current. It is also very difficult to avoid the electromagnetic fields and currents, which are placed near the driver of an electric car. Drivers and people who spent long periods in electric cars face the risk of exposure to electric cars. Arguably, hybrid cars are indispensable for the conservation of the environment. However; if they pose health risks to the users, they should not be used (Lave, Hendrickson & McMichael, 1995).
Studies show that it is very difficult to get an accurate measure of EMF produced by electric cars. The trifled meter is one of the instruments, which have been developed to test the EMF production in a vehicle. However, EMF levels cannot be detected immediately by the meters. The radio magnetic frequencies, which are produced by EMFs, are very dangerous and are known to damage the cells of the body. Secondly, the EMF can also lead to the damage of the cell structure thus leading to its destruction. This can also cause the development of cells, which are abnormal thus leading to a risk of getting cancer cells. Cancer cells do not have the treatment and this may lead to the death of an individual (Peterson, 2012).
Some of the minor side effects of a car that has an EMF production are having minor headaches and other minor allergic reactions, which occur simultaneously. Exposure to magnetic fields is also known to cause other infections and diseases, which can be managed. Studies have proven that increased exposure of the actual EMF field to pregnant mothers and children can lead to the development of leukemia and other cancer-related infections. Pregnant women are thus advised not to drive in electric cars due to the dangers, which put both the mother and the unborn baby at risk. EMFs have also been proven to cause changes in the body mass of an unborn, hence should be completely avoided by pregnant women (Lave, Hendrickson & McMichael, 1995).
It is also important to note that research has proven that electric cars are made from nickel, which is a harmful substance. After nickel has been used by the electric car it becomes useless and cannot be beneficial. Many people usually dump the nickel batteries into landfills. These landfills produce harmful gases because nickel is made from fossil fuel. The gases produced from landfills are harmful to human beings because they destroy the lungs of the human body. One of the detrimental health effects caused by the destruction of the lungs is bronchitis. This is a dangerous disease, which destroys the respiratory cavity thus leading to the death of the cells of the body. It is also proven that it can lead to the death of an individual if not diagnosed early enough (Peterson, 2012).
Research undertaken by the American National Cancer Institute shows that exposure to magnetic fields cannot be avoided in electric cars. This is because electric cables are tied close to the seats and the drivers hence very difficult to avoid them. Research on the health risks of hybrid cars should be carried out to ensure that people are prevented from being exposed to the effects, which could lead to death after long exposure.
Legitimate scientific research by Harvard University students has proved beyond reasonable doubt that electromagnetic fields do not only cause cancer but can also lead to instances of a heart attack. It is also evident that individuals who have prolonged use of electric cars normally find themselves sleeping after a long drive of the cars. The reason for the sleep is the fact that the electricity generated by electric cars can lead to heart tremors and worse still, lead to damage of the heart tissues. This is due to increased blood pressure, which is caused by the exposure of an individual to electromagnetic fields.
Conclusion
From the previously mentioned facts within this report, it is evident that hybrid cars will assist a lot in the mitigation of ailments brought about by fossil emissions (Lave, Hendrickson & McMichael, 1995). People should not only turn to them to evade the ever-increasing gas prices but because of the health benefits associated with them. Moreover, mitigating environmental hazards such as global warming will bring to an end phenomena such as acid rain which hurts the health of individuals. Various researches have revealed that continued use of green energy will lead to a significant reduction of the health ailments associated with over-dependence on fossil fuels.
In addition, the process of obtaining fossil fuels is associated with environmental degradation. Therefore, the relative drop in the dependence on fossil fuels will lead to improved environmental conditions which are the prerequisite for a healthy leaving. It is thus of vital significance for the public to be sensitized about the need to welcome the idea of shifting from fossil fuel-run cars to hybrid cars.
From another different perspective, hybrid cars are considered to make use of little space as compared to gasoline-powered vehicles. In that regard, the majority of the urban roads will be able to accommodate more cycle lanes which will allow the urban people to shift from the high reliance on cars to cycling. At present, the majority of urban people make use of cars as a result of lack of enough, as well as, secure cycling space. With the presence of cycle lanes, such people will be more willing to cycle than drive because much awareness has been done on the benefits of cycling. Cycling is associated with several health benefits. This is mostly because it involves a lot of exercising of the body, which is healthy for the body.
Reference List
Bitsche, O., & Gutmann, G. (2004). Systems for hybrid cars. Journal of power sources, 127(1), 8-15.
Granovskii, M. and Rosen, P. (2006). Economic and environmental comparison of conventional, hybrid, electric, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Journal of Power Sources, 159(2), 1186-1193.
Krzyzanowski, M., & Kuna-Dibbert, B. (2005). Health effects of transport-related air pollution. Geneva: World Health Organization.
Lave, L. & Hendrickson, C. & McMichael, F. (1995). Environmental implications of electric cars. Science (Washington), 26(1), 993-995.
Papyrakis, E., & FitzRoy, F. (2009). An introduction to climate change economics and policy. London: Earthscan.
Peterson, J. (2012). How Electric Cars and Hybrids Affect Your Health: Planet Green. Web.