The Spanish Association of Collaborating Entities of the Administration in the Technical Inspection of Vehicles, known as AECA-ITV, has a new proposal to intensify the control of vehicle emissions. They propose to analyze nitrogen oxides (NOx) and polluting particles.
The ITV, in addition to guaranteeing that the vehicles that circulate on the roads meet the minimum safety requirements, are also responsible for guaranteeing that they protect the environment. Here I tell you more details about the role of the ITV.
Currently, ITV stations control the opacity of smoke in diesel vehicles while in gasoline they also analyze carbon dioxide (CO2) and the Lambda factor (mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders). On the other hand, NOx or polluting particles are not analyzed. According to AECA-ITV, “at present it is impossible to access the results of the broadcasts in real traffic conditions”.
Control NOx and particulates
AECA-ITV has recently presented a study on the methodology that could be applied in technical vehicle inspection stations to control the emission levels of NOx and polluting particles from vehicles, two pollutants that are harmful to health and the environment. “A fact of vital importance for cities to be cleaner and more habitable, by reducing and controlling the negative influence of these emissions on people’s health,” the statement explains.
The study was carried out by the Duque de Santomauro Automobile Vehicle Safety Institute (ISVA) of the Carlos III University of Madrid (UC3M) at the request of AECA-ITV. Researchers have carried out comparative tests of existing methodologies for inspection, used for more than three decades, and see which one best suits social needs.
As a result of this analysis, ISVA-UC3M has designed two procedures for the measurement of NOx and particulates in the ITV. These two procedures would be performed in a single test with simple, universal and effective protocols. In addition, they are designed to optimize inspection times to avoid damage to the user.
Why control these emissions?
Today’s engines have greatly reduced particle size and NOx levels. They are vehicles with homologation from Euro 5 and some Euro 4 equipped with anti-pollution systems.
The measurement of these emissions would be a key measure, according to AECA-ITV- to protect people’s health. As the researchers explain, “NOx tend to oxidize with oxygen and become NO3 (nitrate). This molecule is very harmful as it usually generates nitric acid. Molecules of N2O (nitrous oxide) can also be formed, which is very stable, with a life cycle of 170 years and, also, very dangerous as it destroys ozone, causing the greenhouse effect”.
“Solid particles, in addition to polluting the air and promoting the formation of clouds of smoke in cities, are highly carcinogenic. The size of the particles is very important, the most dangerous being those smaller than 10 µm, since they can enter the blood stream directly without being filtered”.
It may interest you:
What is the ITV?
How much does it cost to pass the ITV by Autonomous Communities?
4 out of 10 vehicles did not pass the ITV in 2021