&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Air and Radiation
EPA420-F-96-003
July 1996
Office of Mobile Sources
Consumer
Information
Boating Pollution Prevention Tips
Cleaner marine engines will soon be available to boaters.
You can be more environmentally friendly by following
a few tips when using your boat.
You Can Make a Difference In Preventing
Marine Engine Pollution
Currently 12 million marine engines are operated in the United
States. These marine engines are among the highest contributors of
hydrocarbons (HC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions in many
areas of the country. HC and NOx produce ground-level ozone,
which irritates the respiratory system causing chest pain and lung
inflammation. Ozone can also aggravate existing respiratory
conditions such as asthma. Boaters can join many others who are
working to make a difference in preventing pollution from marine
engines.
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Improving the Marine Engine
The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is working to develop
and implement emission standards for
commercial and recreational marine
engines. The marine industry has been
working to develop technology for a new
generation of low emission, high
performance engines. Recreational boaters
will begin seeing this new generation of
engines in coming years.
Boaters Can Prevent
Pollution
Even with the new technology, the
cooperation of individual boaters is
essential in the effort to improve air
quality and prevent pollution. Boaters
can make a difference that will help
protect the environment
now and in the future by adopting the
following practices:
• Limit engine operation at
full throttle.
• Eliminate unnecessary idling.
• Avoid spilling gasoline.
• Use a gasoline container you can
handle easily and hold securely.
• Pour slowly and smoothly.
• Use a funnel or a spout with an
automatic stop device to prevent
overfilling the gas tank.
• Close the vent on portable gas
tanks when the engine is not in
use or when the tank is stored.
• Transport and store gasoline out
of direct sunlight in a cool, dry
place.
• Use caution when pumping
gasoline into a container at the
gas station.
• Carefully measure the proper
amounts of gasoline and oil
when refueling.
• Follow the manufacturer's
recommended maintenance
schedule.
• Prepare engines properly for
winter storage.
• Buy new, cleaner marine
engines.
By combining these strategies, boaters
can reduce pollution from marine
engines and help improve air quality
across the nation and protect public
health.
For More Information
The EPA Office of Mobile Sources
encourages additional information be
obtained electronically via the EPA
Internet server or via dial-up modem on
the Technology Transfer Network
(TTN), an electronic bulletin board
system (BBS).
World Wide Web: http://www.epa.
gov/OMSWWW
TTN BBS: 919-541-5742 (1200-
14400 bps, no parity, 8 data bits,
1 stop bit);
voice helpline: 919-541-5384
Information is also available by calling
313-668-4333, or writing to: U.S. EPA,
National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions
Laboratory, 2565 Plymouth Road, Ann
Arbor, Michigan 48105
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