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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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