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Comment by xiphias2 | Hacker News Reader

You're right, it's basically air pollution. We know that air pollution makes people older and kills millions every year, although the exact mechanism is not known (I have lots of health problems because of it, but no good test to show it except bad sleep patterns at places with high air pollution).

We also know the solutions: electric cars (I just bought my first), heat pumps with electric heating, and reversing aging.

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Electric cars are not a solution (most of the particles come from the brakes, tyres and too many roads instead of vegetation, which blocks wind dust and erosion).

Heat pumps or electric heating help solve climate change, not air pollution (it helps a bit if it replaces an old wood stove, but would make things worse if the grid is coal-powered, which is sadly still common).

Reversing aging isn't a thing and even if it were, it wouldn't be a solution to anything. Air pollution problems aren't only about physical health but mental health and biodiversity as well. Maybe I don't get the sarcasm.

Electric cars make it more difficult for other people to adopt low-pollution lifestyles by making the streets more dangerous for those walking or biking, and produce a lot of particulates from the tyres, especially since they're quite heavy.

An electric bike, though, is a pretty great choice!

Cars are generally not a mode of transport that makes sense in a city. There are some exceptions, but the vast majority of transportation in a city should be by foot, bicycle or public transport.

Cars are a big part of the problem, regardless of energy source.

Trains, trams, buses, bikes, walking, etc. are the actual solution.

Electric cars are still part of the problem, not the solution. They still cause particulate pollution due to brake and tyre dust plus wear on the roads due to excessive weight. And that's not to mention the noise pollution, stress and danger caused by cars.

Bicycles are the solution to that particular problem.

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