Uncovering Diesel Pollution: Five Places Where Dangerous Diesel Particulates Hide

Santa Fe – March 22, 2007 – Are you being exposed to dangerous diesel particulate air pollution in your neighborhood without knowing it? When most people think of diesels, images of giant construction equipment or super semis belching clouds of black smoke come to mind. But did you know diesels can also be stationary engines and that they are a part of everyone’s life, residing right around the corner from you? With Earth Day 2007 soon approaching, CleanAIR Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of air pollution control systems, is informing the public on five places where dirty diesel particulates may be hiding in your community.

Recent reports by the Clean Air Task Force, Environmental Health Perspectives and The Coalition for Clean Air all detail the dangers of fine particulate matter (PM) pollution. The health impact of particulate air pollution ranges from asthma attacks and lung cancer to cardiac problems and decreased life expectancy. The World Health Organization estimates that thousands of deaths each year may be caused by exposure to PM. And the American Lung Association believes fine air-borne particulate represents our most serious health threat. Not only is particulate matter a global environmental hazard, but also a dangerous health problem.

“A substantial percentage of PM can be attributed to diesel engines, especially older ones that have not been retrofitted with the latest emissions control technology,” explains Michael Roach, CEO of CleanAIR Systems. “A very common type of diesel engine is the emergency generator used in backup situations to keep the power on. Due to their reliability, large facilities in every city of the United States depend on generators for standby power when the lights go off. Although they pollute, they are definitely a necessity.”

Do you know where diesel generators are installed in your community? In the United States alone, there are estimated to be over 100,000 industrial standby generators. Most are used on a limited basis by commercial and public facilities in case of an emergency. These generators are run periodically for routine testing and maintenance. But some facilities also use their generators as prime power to minimize peak power loads on the electrical grid. During operation diesel generators emit a variety of pollutants such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons – all of which can cause serious health issues, especially for children and older adults.


Here are five places in your town where standby generators are commonly used:

Hospitals
According to the American Hospital Association, there are 5,756 registered hospitals in the United States. Considered “critical facilities”, hospitals must have standby power in order to provide essential, and in many cases life-saving medical care. The necessity of backup generators at hospitals was sadly illustrated during Hurricane Katrina, when many hospitals in the area lost all power and could not tend to those too ill to be evacuated because they had ignored previous warnings over the years to install generators and electrical switching equipment.

School and College Campuses
Most college campuses and many schools rely on generators in case the power goes out during a blackout, such as the one that disrupted large areas of the Midwest and Northeast United States during the summer of 2003. According to the report “Experience with Combined Heat and Power during the August 14, 2003 Northeast Blackout,” there were 19 schools and 26 college/universities located primarily in New York and New Jersey who switched over to their own backup generators for all or part of their power needs during this period.

Sporting Events and Concerts
Large arenas and event facilities can’t afford to loose power in the middle of a NASCAR race or rock concert. What would happen if 100,000 football fans were suddenly plunged into darkness! During Super Bowl XXXIX, 35 ultra-quiet generators were used as temporary power for the half-time show and to provide power for pre-and post-game festivities – the equivalent of enough electricity to power 20,000 homes.

Water Treatment Plants
Another “critical facility”, water treatment plants are at the very core of our infrastructure. Without backup power, water treatment plants are unable to pump clean water to residents in the event of a major catastrophe. The American Water Works Association policy statement is as follows:

Uninterrupted utility service is an operating goal of public water and wastewater utilities.

…when there is an electric power interruption, standby electric service facilities or capabilities should be provided. In general, two separate and independent sources of electric power should be provided to the works from either two separate substations or from a single substation and a works-based generator.

Data Storage Centers
What would we do without our telecommunication structure? With no internet, credit card and banking services, or electronic communication our modern culture comes to a screeching halt. All data storage centers consider emergency generators to be a crucial part of doing business. The president of Hypertect Inc., a data center builder, recommends data centers have two backup generators, or in other words – a backup for their backup.

The good news is that these giant generators of technology we have come to rely on for everyday convenience and essential backup power, can be cleaned up with readily available emissions controls technology. Diesel particulate matter is virtually eliminated when an emergency generator is retrofitted with diesel particulate filters, such as those designed and manufactured by CleanAIR Systems, thereby substantially reducing the impact on health and environment.

On this Earth Day 2007, make sure your community relies on emergency generators that use emissions controls for a cleaner, healthier environment.

Established in 1993, CleanAIR Systems, Inc. located in Santa Fe, NM, is a technology-based corporation manufacturing emissions control systems with worldwide distribution. Their products are designed to control air pollution for on- and off-road vehicles, as well as stationary machinery and power generation. CleanAIR – Committed to a Cleaner Environment. For more information, visit www.cleanairsys.com.


Reports:

Clean Air Task Force
No Escape From Diesel Exhaust

Environmental Health Perspectives
Metals in Particulate Pollutants Affect Peak Expiratory Flow of Schoolchildren

Coalition for Clean Air
Exhausted by Diesel: How America’s Dependence on Diesel Engines Threatens Our Health

American Lung Association
Particle Pollution Fact Sheet: State of the Air 2006

World Health Organization
Particle Matter Air Pollution: How it Harms Health
HECANET February 2006

CleanAIR Particulate Filters Protect Miners’ Exposure to Diesel Emissions

Santa Fe, NM -- February 22 -- Miners have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. While many federal regulations protect miners from on-the-job hazards, it has not always been easy to protect the air they breathe. Now new standards decided on February 9th by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit will help miners breathe easier by limiting exposure to diesel emissions, specifically fine carbon particles (particulate matter) which have been linked to lung cancer and respiratory illnesses. Produced by heavy equipment operating within the mines, particulate matter can essentially be eliminated by retrofitting vehicles with diesel particulate filters, such as the products manufactured by CleanAIR Systems, Inc.

A leading supplier to the mining industry of emissions control technology, CleanAIR diesel particulate filters are currently installed in twenty-six mines located throughout eight states. The CleanAIR PERMIT FBC™ Filter reduces particulate matter by over 85%, as well as reducing deadly carbon monoxide (CO) by up to 90% and hydrocarbons (HC) by as much as 90%. At the same time, the CleanAIR PERMIT FBC™ does not increase emissions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which also poses a serious air quality problem within mines. The PERMIT FBC™ can reduce emissions while operating using any diesel fuel from high-sulfur diesel to ultra-low sulfur diesel, as well as biodiesel.

The CleanAIR PERMIT FBC™ Filter was tested in 2003 by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and found acceptable for use in mines.

“We have been working with the mining industry for a long time in the United States and Canada to solve emissions problems,” explains Michael Roach, President of CleanAIR Systems. “The PERMIT FBC™ Filter is a proven solution for reducing particulate matter, CO and HC, while not increasing emissions of NO2. Our goal in developing this product was to create a filter for the specialized environment of underground mining and, at the same time, protect miners from dangerous emissions.”

The February court decision affects 16,000 miners across the country, working mostly in metal (such as gold) and non-metal mines (such as limestone). Coal mines are subject to different regulations, with many already installing filters to control emissions.

Established in 1993, CleanAIR Systems, Inc. located in Santa Fe, NM, is a technology-based corporation manufacturing emissions control systems with worldwide distribution. Their products are designed to control air pollution for on- and off-road vehicles, as well as stationary machinery and power generation. CleanAIR – Committed to a Cleaner Environment.

For more information, visit www.cleanairsys.com

The CleanAIR PERMIT™ Filter Verified for Prime Power Generators

Santa Fe, NM – November 14, 2006 – CleanAIR Systems, Inc. has received verification for prime power generators by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) for their PERMIT diesel particulate filter as a Level 3 diesel emission control device. According to an Executive Order dated November 6th, ARB verifies that the PERMIT Filter reduces emissions of diesel particulate matter by 85 percent or greater for use in stationary prime generators with particulate matter (PM) levels of up to 0.2 g/bhp-hr.

Prime power stationary generators are designated as power sources operating as a principal source of power and are usually in continuous operation for long periods of time. These include generators used in remote areas as a primary power source, as well as those used for self-generation by corporations, schools or hospitals producing their own power.

The ARB also extended verification of CleanAIR Systems’ PERMIT filter until 2009 for use on stationary emergency generators to include all applications tested or certified to particulate matter (PM) levels of up to 0.2 g/bhp-hr. Emergency generators operate usually less than one hundred hours per year and are used as supplemental or back-up power generation in case of power loss.

For complete verification information on the PERMIT diesel particulate filter and engine operating criteria, the Executive Orders and Attachments can be found on the ARB website at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/verdev/vt/stationary.htm.

Established in 1993, CleanAIR Systems, Inc. located in Santa Fe, NM, is a technology-based corporation manufacturing emissions control systems with worldwide distribution. Their products are designed to control air pollution for on- and off-road vehicles, as well as stationary machinery and power generation. For contact information, visit www.cleanairsys.com.

CleanAIR CARB Verification - Executive Orders. Read more ...

CleanAIR Systems, Inc. to Retrofit School Buses and Fire Trucks with Emission Control Devices in Spokane, Washington

Santa Fe, NM- January 10, 2003 - CleanAIR Systems, Inc. was awarded a contract to retrofit 58 school buses and 27 fire trucks with its ASSURE™ diesel oxidation converter (DOC) in Spokane, Washington. CleanAIR's ASSURE™ DOC reduces diesel particulate matter by 25 percent and carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon by up to 90 percent. The project is funded by Avista Corp., a Spokane-based energy company. Seattle-based Western Peterbilt, Inc. will perform the installation of the replacement mufflers.

"CleanAIR Systems' participation in this project will benefit many people in Spokane in significant ways," said CleanAIR Systems President Michael Roach. "Retrofitting 85 school buses and fire trucks with our ASSURE™ DOC will not only help improve the air quality in the city, it will also protect school children, firefighters, emergency department personnel and patients from being exposed to increased levels of diesel emissions."

Most school buses and emergency vehicles are diesel-powered due to the fact that they are more fuel-efficient than gas-powered vehicles. However, diesel-powered vehicles emit 50 to 80 times more particulate. CleanAIR Systems provides a solution to this problem, offering a variety of emissions reductions systems for all diesel engines.

Several studies have found that children's exposure to diesel emissions when riding school buses can be as much as 16 times higher than the ambient exposure levels. Similarly, a study of firehouses in major cities found that firefighters are exposed to increased levels of particulates from diesel emissions while in the firehouse.

According to the American Lung Association of Washington, reducing toxic emissions from diesel engines will provide many benefits, including a reduction in lost school days for children and work days for parents and asthmatics, a decrease in hospital visits due to respiratory ailments, and a reduced cancer risk for the population.

Spokane is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a serious nonattainment area for carbon monoxide and a moderate nonattainment area for fine particulate. With work on an air quality maintenance plan that will show how Spokane will stay in attainment in the long term, along with the required two clean years back-to-back, the city hopes to complete the process of being redesignated from nonattainment to attainment status for carbon monoxide.

CleanAIR PERMIT™ FBC Filter Passes MSHA Tests

Catalyzed Particulate Filter and Diesel Fuel Additive Reduces Particulate by More Than 85%

Santa Fe, NM – January 7, 2003 – CleanAIR Systems, Inc. received notice from the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) that its new diesel particulate filter system passed tests to control toxic diesel particulate emissions in underground mines, including coal, metal and nonmetal mines. The CleanAIR PERMIT™ FBC Filter system is the only product of its kind on the market that reduces diesel particulate without increasing nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions and self-cleans at normal exhaust temperatures. Last year MSHA discovered that other diesel particulate filter systems cause significant increases in NO2 emissions and their use was prohibited in July 2002.

While one of the major drawbacks to using traditional precious metal catalyst coatings is an increase in NO2, CleanAIR Systems was the first in the industry to successfully develop a precious metal catalyst coating that does not increase this harmful emission. The precious metal catalyst greatly decreases emissions of poisonous carbon monoxide and toxic hydrocarbons, and enhances a fuel-borne catalyst to promote safe regeneration (self cleaning) of the filter under normal operating conditions. The CleanAIR PERMIT™ FBC Filter system uses this new catalyst formulation, designated FPA, which is applied to a ceramic filter, and a patented fuel-borne catalyst (FBC) supplied by Stamford, Conn.-based Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc. (CDT) (EBB: CDTI & AIM: CDT/CDTS). The CleanAIR PERMIT™ FBC Filter’s specially formulated precious metal coating is designed to take advantage of CDT’s platinum/cerium fuel-borne catalyst. “We’re proud to receive this approval based on the ability of this unique combination – the CleanAIR PERMIT™ joined with CDT’s fuel-borne catalyst – to provide more than 85 percent diesel particulate reduction while causing no increase in NO2 emissions,” said Michael Roach, President of CleanAIR Systems, a privately held company. “Other catalyst systems that use precious metals for regeneration cause significant increases in NO2, which is a strong lung irritant and especially problematic in underground mines. Still other filter systems, more expensive and time consuming than our combined system, require the filter to be removed for cleaning each night or plugged in and electrically regenerated overnight.”

MSHA regulations adopted in 2001 regarding emissions of diesel particulate matter (DPM), commonly known as soot, are the first legislation to control miners’ exposure to diesel particulate in U.S. mines. The regulations establish new health standards for underground mines that use equipment powered by diesel engines. Due to its sub-micron size, diesel particulate penetrates deep into human lungs and contributes to numerous respiratory problems. According to MSHA, underground miners are exposed to a higher concentration of diesel particulate than any other occupational group, and face a significantly greater risk of developing such diseases as lung cancer, heart failure, serious allergenic responses, and other cardiopulmonary problems. MSHA estimates that at least 10 cases of lung cancer per year will be avoided as a result of the regulations.

MSHA conducted rigorous tests on the CleanAIR PERMIT™ FBC Filter system on a laboratory reference engine and on a unit operating in a coal mine. MSHA lab tests, carried out on a Deutz F6L 912W over an ISO 8178 steady state eight-mode test, indicated the system reduced diesel particulate by 89 percent, reduced carbon monoxide by 86 percent, and did not increase NO2 . Standard EPA diesel fuel with 350-ppm sulfur content was used for testing.

A separate report from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recently concluded that a combined catalyzed diesel particulate filter (CDPF) and fuel-borne catalyst was the best system for mines. “The use of a CDPF in combination with an FBC, if needed for regeneration, seems to be the most effective aftertreatment technology for reductions of DPM and gaseous emissions from the diesel exhaust,” reported the agency. It further noted that “some FBC’s, notably the Pt-Ce FBC, are effective at extremely low dosing levels.”

“The CDT Platinum Plus FBC has undergone extensive laboratory and field tests in the United States and Europe and is registered with the U.S. EPA for use in on-highway fuels,” said James Valentine, President and COO of CDT. “The FBC promotes better in-cylinder combustion by introducing minute amounts of platinum and cerium (Pt-Ce) catalysts into the engine leading to reduced soot loading to the filter. It also lowers the oxidation temperature of soot trapped in the filter allowing passive regeneration – or self cleaning – under normal operating conditions. The Platinum Plus FBC has been used in more than 800 units worldwide with more than 15 million miles of trouble-free service. The FBC is completely soluble and stable in fuel and is easily blended in bulk fuel or on site using automatic dosing equipment. Testing has shown no toxic or secondary emissions resulting from the use of the FBC.”

Besides mining applications, CleanAIR Systems and CDT have recently supplied the combined CleanAIR PERMIT™ FBC Filter system to refuse trucks, beverage delivery trucks, and stationary engines. CleanAIR Systems and CDT are also conducting field and engine dynamometer testing in support of verification under the California Diesel Risk Reduction Program. Recent tests of an on-highway diesel engine resulted in more than 90 percent reduction in diesel particulate and no increase in NO2 when the CleanAIR PERMIT™ FBC Filter and Platinum Plus FBC were used with ARCO’s ECD-1 ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel on a 1998 heavy-duty diesel engine.

The companies will market to U.S. mines through the CleanAIR Systems distributor network and discussions are underway for distribution to overseas mining and tunneling sectors.

Certain statements in this news release constitute “forward-looking statement” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known or unknown risks, including those detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

Summary of MSHA Testing. Read more …