Stuck in gridlocked traffic for 2 hours on Thursday morning. Felt particularly unwell after lunch and all of the following day. Headache which couldn't be shifted with painkillers, and nausea. Could this be the effect of carbon monoxide on my lungs?
I was diagnosed with COPD in 2007 and had Lung Volume Reduction surgery. Has anyone else had similar experience with traffic fumes?
Oh yes, traffic fumes are a killer. I struggle to breathe if I am in a car behind a vehicle which is belching out fumes so being stuck in gridlocked traffic for a couple of hours would be a nightmare.
Hope you are feeling better now.
I don't spend a lot of time in the car, but on the odd 1 or 2 hour trip on an A-road I'd feel ill, and put it down to having travel sickness (reverting to childhood!) But I realised yesterday that something else was going on.
Thanks for the confirmation, and yes, I'm back to normal today.
Hi
When driving in slow moving traffic, leave a good distance between you and the car in front even when stationary, you will probably notice the car behind following suit. This will give more room for the fumes to disperse.
Keep all windows shut.
Great thinking Stone..must do that from now on
Not a surprise to me at all, I have found that I actually smell the nitrous oxide produced by inefficient diesel engines. The detectible effects of breathing it in last for 24 hrs or more.
I too have noticed fumes from other cars bother me. If they are really bad or really strong, I kinda feel like I can't breathe. In a way, I too had lung reduction surgery, I lost both upper lung lobes to lung cancer.
I have also noticed that I being in a congested area with houses, buildings, traffic, starts to affect my breathing. I think that is simply a matter of what your lungs are used to, I live in a rural area, I live in "farm country".
I'm glad to read that you are feeling better.
It definitely wouldent have helped
If your car has air conditioning, put that on with the symbol pressed to circulate the air in the car rather than take the air in from outside as that comes in closer to exhaust pipe level. Occasionally open the window a little to refresh the air if you are in a traffic jam for more than 10 minutes.
I went to the dentist last week and missed the bus, so walked the twenty minutes on a very busy main road and can tell you that had a bad affect on my lungs, it didnt help as I walked fast to make the appointment so breathed in deeper, it took me days to get back to normal, whatever normal is. Hope these electric cars come in soon x
I agree with 2greys. Thatcher thought that diesels were better but she did not listen to the advisers. They are in fact killers to the environment and the health of people.
Dan
It was actually the Labour Party under Gordon Brown that promoted the sale of diesel cars with an incentive of lower tax. Just nit picking, I know.
Traffic fumes are definitely bad for us, I gave up my car so do lots of walking now (in between breathing rests!). The traffic through our village is horrendous! And walking is very hard on the lungs (although the pulmonary clinic showed us how to get rid of the carbon dioxide) I really struggle to breathe and feel unwell for the rest of the day plus serious coughing at night! But we can’t stay in all day.........what is the answer? Do we all need to walk around wearing breathing masks to get our councils/government to do something!!!
I have allergies with fumes and yes it can cause problems with your lungs...
I've got an old Cobra - The thing smells even before you start it. Its loud when you get in and when you start it even gets louder. The outlet of those huge pipes are right below the driver and passenger. Although you've got full face air conditioning in traffic it is full face fumes and when that engine idle at the traffic light waiting to change, one smother sniffing up a litre of fumes - It is definitely a killer and you are not mistaken I can feel the effect of the fumes. Problem is I am hooked on the damn monster and can not get it over my heart to sell it. Luckily only drive it over weekends.
Stopped driving 3 months ago, I find now when i'm out walking anywhere near heavyish traffic I have a coughing fit.
I live not far from open water, first thing I do is head there.
Helps me everything.
Don't know if this helps but may be worth a try.
Copd
Co2 monitoring and SICK building Syndrome lung health.
COPD and Pneumonia 
25 and COPD
