The Dieselgate scandal that broke in September 2015 put German manufacturer Volkswagen in hot waters because of allegations that they used a defeat device designed to cheat emissions testing.
Installed in VW’s diesel vehicles sold across the United States, the defeat device automatically and artificially lowered emissions levels while the vehicles are in testing so that they would stay within the legal and safe limit set by the World Health Organization. When the vehicles are taken out into real-world road driving conditions, the defeat device allows the vehicle to revert to its usual setting, emitting voluminous amounts of toxic gases that far exceed the limits mandated by the EU and WHO.
As such, Volkswagen and the other car manufacturers implicated in the diesel emissions scandal lied to their customers and mis-sold the vehicles. They marketed the vehicles as clean and environmentally safe, which is, for most car owners, the reason why they bought the vehicle. The drivers were led to believe that they were going around the city or town in clean cars when in reality, they were releasing toxic air.
Aside from Volkswagen, the other car manufacturers potentially involved in the diesel emissions scandal are BMW, Audi, Porsche, Peugeot, Alfa Romeo, Suzuki, Nissan, Jeep, Renault, and Mercedes-Benz, among others. Many of these carmakers have been paying fines and compensation, recalling vehicles, and facing group litigation for their alleged use of the cheat software in their diesel vehicles.
Government authorities and environmental campaigners continue to hound the manufacturers because they are aware of the harmful effects of excess nitrogen oxide emissions. More commonly known as NOx, these gases are harmful to the environment and can cause several health risks to anyone constantly exposed to them.
What are nitrogen oxides and why are they dangerous?
Nitrogen oxides are gases that form during the high-temperature combustion of fossil fuels and nitrogen and oxygen. This typically happens in fossil fuel-powered electricity plants and car engines, specifically diesel engines.
The most dominant and abundant gases are nitric oxide or NO and nitrogen dioxide or NO2. While nitric oxide is colourless, NO2 has a strong or acrid odour and is reddish-brown. Nitric oxide on its own is not significantly dangerous but once it combines with NO2, it becomes dangerous.
Nitrogen oxides have negative effects on the environment and are particularly harmful to vegetation. Plants become weak and often stop growing because of frost damage or disease. NOx is also responsible for the formation of acid rain and smog. It also forms bad ozone, which is also known as ground-level ozone.
Ground-level ozone is produced through chemical reactions between VOC or volatile organic compounds and NOx. More specifically, this bad ozone is created when pollutants coming from chemical plants, refineries, power plants, and diesel cars are exposed to sunlight and chemically react. Ground-level ozone, like acid rain and smog, makes the air dirty and causes a variety of health effects.
If a person is constantly exposed to NOx or nitrogen oxides, they become susceptible to the following health issues or conditions:
- Inflammation of the airways
- Asthma or aggravated asthma for those who already have it (attacks become more serious or intense)
- Bronchitis, emphysema, and other respiratory diseases
- Irreparable damage to the respiratory system
- Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
Extreme and prolonged exposure to NOx emissions can lead to or increases the risk of premature death. The case of nine-year-old Ella Kissi-Debrah is proof of this. The young girl was constantly exposed to a high amount of polluted air in the area where she lived with her mother. Ella died in 2013 after numerous hospital and emergency room visits. In December 2020, the coroner ruled air pollution as the primary cause of Ella’s death.
Nitrogen oxides are also said to trigger mental health-related issues, the most common of which are depression and anxiety.
Why should you file a diesel claim?
Vehicles affected by the diesel emissions scandal emit dangerous levels of nitrogen oxides. Car owners did not know this, though, so they were deceived and lied to by their manufacturers, which is already a good reason to file for compensation. There are three other specific and compelling reasons that should encourage them to take action:
- If a driver or car owner knew that the vehicle being sold to them had an illegal defeat device, they would never have purchased the car.
- If a driver or car owner spent more than what they typically would because they were buying an environmentally safe vehicle.
- If the driver or car owner’s vehicle was fixed to adhere to emissions standards but its performance was affected. In this case, the compensation will serve as payment for the damages.
A diesel compensation claim is also one way of helping spread awareness about NOx emissions and their harmful effects on the environment and human health.
Working with emissions solicitors
The common question car owners ask is, “How do I start my diesel claim?” Since the process can be lengthy and complex, the best thing to do is to partner with a panel of emissions solicitors who are highly trained and experienced.
Get in touch with the panel of solicitors at Emissions.co.uk to discover if you are eligible to claim.