Motorists typically warm up their engines before driving, a habit that can affect people living in apartment buildings. Not everyone experiences this impact in the same way, and the consequences can vary by floor.
When cars are parked away from the building, residents on the first and second floors feel less pressure from the exhaust, according to Alexey Revin, a specialist known from the program Behind the Wheel. The exhaust gases are initially warm and lighter than air, so they rise quickly. As they cool, they tend to linger higher up, settling at a height of roughly ten meters above ground level.
Residents on the third floor bear the strongest effect. At the top, while some gases can still escape into the air, more volatile substances face dilution with fresh air. Above a height of about 15 to 20 meters, which corresponds to floors five through seven, average concentrations drop to roughly one third of what is observed near the ground, the expert notes.
So, the question of neighbors with cars idling under the window becomes an advantage for those on the fifth and seventh floors, where exposure tends to be considerably lower.
In related coverage, the topic has been discussed on RuTube, where readers can find the program Behind the Wheel for more context and practical guidance .