Infrared camera shows the impact of vehicle emissions

In an effort to visually demonstrate the potentially fatal impacts of air pollution, FLIR Systems has released a new video containing footage captured by FLIR infrared cameras that shows vehicle emissions and the resulting pollution issues.

A recent World Health Organization statistic shows that air pollution kills 16,000 British people a year, and the UK’s largest source of air pollution is transportation, according to Martin Williams, Professor of Air Quality at Kings College London.

"I’m not sure the message is getting across as well as it could, and it’s a very significant public health burden," he said. "I’m sure the public at large don’t really appreciate the size of the burden."

"Raising awareness," he continued, "would be vastly improved by modern technology that display things rather than rely on words."

To accomplish this, FLIR used its GF320 infrared camera to capture video of the emissions. This camera features a 320 x 240 cooled InSb infrared detector with a spectral response of 3.2 to 3.4 µm. Designed specifically for gas leak detection and electrical inspection, the camera also embeds GPS data into the image, allowing workers to pinpoint the location of the leak or hot spot.

By using infrared technology, you can physically see pollutants and how they spread from the source, into the air. Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) cameras based on infrared technology, that physically show pollution – whether fumes from a car, airplane or train – will help enormously in getting the message across,” said Williams.

One major concern of Williams’ is the idea of children being so close to the pollution.

"If parents could see what it looks like pushing their child through a band of raw pollution, they would take preventive action."

FLIR’s Chris Brown notes that this work only scratches the surfaces when it comes to raising awareness about the harmful effects of air pollution and reducing its impact.

He added "Infrared technology, or thermal imaging, is really important in the context of air pollution as unfortunately, we are only born with five senses. In effect, infrared technology provides us with a sixth sense – allowing us to see air pollution before and while it’s happening."

View the video.
View more information on the camera.

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