I E S E L
EXHAUST IN
NEW ENGLAND
WHO IS AT RISK?
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
c/EPA
Ncu Lnuland
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IESEL EXHAUST
& YOUR HEALTH
* <»
HAT CAN
O Turn off engines
when vehicles are not
in motion.
© Retrofit engines
with pollution control
devices and use
cleaner burning fuel.
©When purchasing
new vehicles, buy
the lowest emitting
vehicles available.
O Keep engines
well tuned and
maintained.
For more details
about how to take
these steps, visit:
www.epa.gov/ne/
eco/diesel/, or call
1-800-821-1237.
Diesel exhaust contains
significant levels of small
particles known as fine
participate matter. Fine
particles are so small that
several thousand of them
could fit in the period at
the end of this sentence.
In New England, diesel engin
are the third largest human-
source of fine particles, contrib
uting more than 20 percent of fine
particle emissions.
Fine particles in the air are a
serious public health problem.
They pose a significant health risk
because they can pass through
the nose and throat and lodge
themselves in the lungs. These
fine particles can cause lung
damage and premature death.
They can also aggravate respir-
atory conditions such as asthmc
and bronchitis.
Nationwide, particulate matter,
especially fine particles, is
responsible for 15,000 premature
deaths every year.
Also, diesel exhaust is likely to
cause cancer in humans.
WHO IS MOST AT RISK?
People with existing heart or lung
disease, asthma or other respirJi
tory problems are most sensitive
to the health effects of fine
particles. The elderly and children
are also at risk.
In general, children are more
sensitive to air pollution because
they breathe 50 percent more air
per pound of bodyweightthan adults.
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.
OTHER HEALTH AND
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Fine particles from diesel engines contribute to haze which
restricts our ability to see long distances.
Diesel exhaust also contributes to ozone formation (or smog),
acid rain, and global climate change.
t
(EDUCING EMISSIONS
IDLING
A typical heavy-duty truck or bus can burn approximately
one gallon of diesel fuel for each hour it idles, generating
significant amounts of pollution, wasting fuel, and causing
excessive engine wear.
Instead of idling, vehicle owners can purchase small
generators or auxiliary power units that provide heat,
air conditioning, and/or power while a vehicle is not in
motion. These devices substantially reduce the fuel
consumed and emissions generated during long-
duration id ling.
Also, vehicle owners can purchase electric starting aids
such as block heaters which help warm the engine to avoid
starting difficulties and reduce idling time during engine
warm-up.
RETROFITS AND CLEANER FUELS
To reduce pollution from existing trucks and buses,
vehicle owners can use ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel in
combination with pollution control equipment such as
particulate matter filters. Although ultra-low sulfur diesel
fuel is not required until 2006, it is currently available in parts
of New England.
In some cases, this approach can reduce particulate
matter emissions by more than 90 percent.
NEW VEHICLE PURCHASES -
WHAT TO CONSIDER
'ehicles that meet EPA's 2007
emission standards ahead of
schedule.
WH
V
Vehicles equipped with devices
that minimize idling and warm-
up time automatically.
Vehicles that run on cleaner fuels
like compressed natural gas.
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w
HAT IS GOVERNMENT DOING?
Diesel engines are a durable and economical source of power.
EPA and the New England States are taking important steps
to advance cleaner diesel engines.
EPA is requiring reductions of diesel pollution from new
heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses. In 2006, diesel fuel will
contain 97 percent less sulfur. This ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel in
combination with advanced pollution control technology will mean
that in 2007, new trucks and buses rolling off the production lines
will be up to 95 percent cleaner than today's models.
EPA has issued emission standards for new, non-road diesel
engines, such as construction and farm equipment, and is working
to strengthen these standards in the future,
* Because emission reductions from cleaner vehicles take time to
have an influence, EPA and the New England states are working to:
O Retrofit existing diesel vehicles with pollution controls.
@ Implement emission testing programs for diesel vehicles.
> Create and implement anti-idling programs.
& Promote cleaner fuels like compressed natural gas.
EPA Standards for New Trucks and Buses
Nitrogen Oxides Participate Matter
emissions* emissions*
1984 ?84
1991 5^ 1991
1994 HIL 1994
'" %
1998
2004 2
2007 0.2 I ^^i future 2007 o.oi I ^^^ furure
^^^^^^^^^F standards ' , ^^^^^^^^^r1 stondords
j
' EPA's emission standards for trucks and buses are based on the amount of pollution
emitted per unit of energy [expressed in grams per brake horsepower hour)
oEPA
New England #EPA-901-F-02-OOI March 2002
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