I’m not sure that’s really the case here. There’s simply no way you can’t notice bad pollution from vehicles.

Standing near the average car isn’t that bad at all. EVs are way better, but it’s not that bad.

But stand near a car that has some sort of exhaust problem or isn’t burning fuel correctly and it’s bad. Just horrible to breathe.

I’ve found cabin air filters either activated carbon help immensely. I started buying them on someone’s recommendation but I had no idea how much they affected things.

I’ve driven on brand new asphalt and not noticed the smell. I’ve been behind horrible cars and I don’t notice a thing, unless I put my window down and then it suddenly hits me.

All of a sudden lately I’m smelling the terrible cars again. Time to change the filter.