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HAT CAN
OWNERS/
OPERATORS
O Turn off engines
when vehicles are
stopped for more than
a few minutes.
© Retrofit engines
with pollution control
devices and use
cleaner burning fuel.
©When purchasing
new vehicles, buy the
lowest emitting
vehicles available.
OKeep engines well
tuned and maintained.
© For more details
visit: www.epa.gov/
otaq/retrofit or,
www.epa.gov/
cleanschoolbus, or call
1-734-214-4636.
Dms
iEL EXHAUST
& YOUR HEALTH
Diesel exhaust contains tiny
particles known as fine participate
matter. These tiny or "fine"
particles are so small that
several thousand of them could
fit in the period at the end of this
sentence. Diesel engines are one
of the largest sources of fine
particulate matter, other than
natural causes such as forest
fires. Diesel exhaust also contains
ozone-forming nitrogen oxides and
toxic air pollutants.
Fine particles and ozone pose
serious public health problems.
Exposure to these pollutants
causes lung damage and
aggravates existing respiratory
disease such as asthma.
Nationwide, particulate matter-
especially the fine particles such
as those in diesel exhaust—cause
15,000 premature deaths every
year.
Diesel exhaust is thought to be a
likely human carcinogen.
WHO IS MOST AT
RISK?
• People with existing heart or I
disease, asthma or other
respiratory problems are most
sensitive to the health effects of
fine particles, as are children and
the elderly.
• Children are more sensitive to air
pollution because they breathe 50
percent more air per pound of
body weight than do adults.
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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
• Fine particles from diesel engines contribute to haze
which restrictsvisibility.
, llll
Diesel exhaust also contributes to ozone formation (a com-
nent of smog), acid rain, and global climate change.
UGINB EMISSIONS
Turn the engine off if you will be idling more than a few
minutes. A typical heavy-duty truck can burn ap-
proximately one gallon of diesel fuel for each hour it idles,
generating significant amounts of pollution, wasting fuel,
and causing excessive engine wear.
I
Vehicle owners can buy small generators or auxiliary
power units that provide heat, air conditioning, and/
or power while a vehicle is parked. These devices substan-
tially reduce fuel consumption and emissions generated
during long-duration idling.
starting aids
Owners of older vehicles can buy electric si
such as block heaters which help warm the engine to avoid
starting difficulties and reduce idling time during engine
warm-up. Newer vehicles are designed to start easily at all
temperatures without idling.
A
RETROFITS AND CLEANEF
• 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 the
United States. ^ <%n
llfij (£-
• In some cases, this approach can reduce particulate
matter emissions by more than 90 percent.
IEW VEHICLE PURCHASES -
/HAT TO CONSIDER
Vehicles equipped with the most
advanced emission control systems
available.
Vehicles equipped with devices that
minimize idling and warm-up time
automatically.
Vehicles that run on cleaner fuels
like compressed natural gas.
•II
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w
HAT is GOVERNMENT DOING?
Diesel engines are a durable and economical source of
power. EPA and states are taking important steps to
advance cleaner diesel engines.
EPA is requiring reductions of diesel pollution from ne
heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses. In 2006, diesel fuel wi
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, nonroad diesel
engines, such as construction and farm equipment, and is
working to strengthen these standards in the future.
Engines within the existing fleet will not be subject to the
new regulations, yet may remain in operation for another
25-30 years. Therefore, EPA and states are working to:
1 Retrofit existing diesel vehicleswith pollution
controls.
2 Implement emission testing programs for diesel
vehicles.
3 Create and implement anti-idling programs.
4 Promote cleaner fuels like ultra-low sulfur diesel
and compressed natural gas.
EPA Standards for New Trucks and Buses"1"
Nitrogen Oxides
emissions*
Participate Matter
emissions*
1984
1994
1998
2004
2007
0.6
0.6
Urban transit buses have had more stringent standards since 1993
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).
EPA420-F-03-022 June 2003
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