avgasrök

Avgasrök is the term used in Swedish for the exhaust smoke and gases emitted by internal‑combustion engines, particularly gasoline engines. The smoke is a complex mixture of hydrocarbon particulates, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and trace metals. The composition varies with engine design, fuel quality, and operating conditions such as load, temperature, and maintenance status.

Particulate matter from avgasrök can be fine enough to penetrate the respiratory tract, raising concerns about respiratory and cardiovascular health. Nitrogen oxides contribute to ground‑level ozone formation, which is a key component of smog and has adverse effects on lung function. Carbon monoxide can reduce oxygen delivery to tissues, while volatile organic compounds may have carcinogenic properties. Regulations in the European Union, such as the Euro emission standards, set limits on these pollutants for new vehicles and impose periodic testing to ensure compliance.

Measurement of avgasrök is typically conducted using laboratory exhaust analyzers that quantify hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and particulate number/size distributions. In addition, real‑world monitoring of traffic emissions informs environmental impact assessments and policy decisions. Reduction strategies include improved fuel formulation, advanced combustion technologies, catalytic converters, and the shift toward electric propulsion systems, which have negligible exhaust emissions.