EPA Provides $1.35M to Improve Air Quality in Massachusetts with Clean Diesel Projects

(Boston, Mass. – Feb. 26, 2009) – Significant funding is being delivered to several Massachusetts projects that will help improve air quality in the Commonwealth.

In a ceremony at the Massachusetts Port Authority’s (Massport) Boston Fish Pier, EPA announced more than $1.35 million in funding to help reduce pollution from diesel vehicles and equipment operating in New England. The grants are being issued to three Massachusetts-based organizations, and were made available by EPA through the 2008 Northeast Diesel Collaborative (NEDC) Emissions Reduction Grant Program.

The funding announced by EPA is going to: Massport ($400,000) to install dockside power stations at the Boston Fish Pier; Environmental Defense Fund ($400,000) to introduce hybrid trucks to New England fleets; and Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) ($535,250) to retrofit regional locomotives.

"Reducing diesel emissions is an effective way to improve air quality and help people who suffer from asthma and other respiratory problems,” said Ira Leighton, acting regional administrator of EPA's New England Office. “These projects will help bring cleaner air to Massachusetts citizens.”

Diesel engines contribute significantly to air pollution, especially in urban areas. The fine particles in diesel exhaust pose serious health risks, including aggravating heart or lung disease. People with existing heart or lung disease, such as asthma, older adults, and children are most sensitive to the health effects of fine particles. The Northeast has some of the highest asthma rates in the nation, including a childhood asthma rate above 10 percent in all six New England states. Lifetime asthma rates in children in Massachusetts are estimated at 14.6 percent.

“The MassCleanDiesel program aims to reduce the adverse health effects of diesel pollution on our residents. Emissions from thousands of school and transit buses, and off-road construction vehicles are now being cleaned up,” said Laurie Burt, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). “The EPA grants will add to the Commonwealth’s efforts to retrofit locomotive diesel engines and support clean hybrid technologies for diesel trucks.” The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) will receive $400,000 through the NEDC Emission Reduction Grant Program to install dock-side power at the Boston Fish Pier. “Shore power” allows vessels to “plug in” to an electrical power source instead of using diesel generators while at the berth. Currently, shore power is available to only four vessels when docked at the Fish Pier. More than a dozen vessels regularly dock there, and need to run their diesel generators many hours per day to supply power for off-loading, maintenance and essential on-board systems. The project is expected to reduce diesel generator "idling" by 95 percent. In addition, the fuel and cost-savings data yielded by this project will be important in helping other fishing ports in the Northeast decide whether and how to undertake similar improvements.

"We are pleased to partner with the EPA on this program that will reduce the impact of our port operations and help us be more environmentally friendly," said Michael A. Leone, Massport’s Port Director. "The grant will significantly reduce diesel emissions, and allow fishermen to conduct their business in a more energy efficient and cost effective manner."

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) will receive $400,000 and the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) will receive $535,250 for projects that reduce diesel emissions. EDF will use funds to establish the Northeast Hybrid Truck Consortium. Through the Consortium, EDF will work with communities and organizations in all six New England states to replace at least twelve pre-2007 heavy-duty diesel vehicles with hybrid versions. EPA funds will pay for up to 25 percent of the cost of the new vehicle.

"Together, Environmental Defense Fund, NESCAUM, EPA and MassDEP are jump-starting the hybrid truck market in New England," said Gwen Ruta, vice president at Environmental Defense Fund. "In tough economic times, these clean, fuel-sipping trucks make sense for our lungs, for the climate, and for our wallets."

The Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM), in partnership with the Providence & Worcester (P&W) Railroad, will install auxiliary power units on 17 locomotives built between 1969 and 1988. Installation of these units will reduce unnecessary idling which will lessen the amount of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) released into the air. Reducing fuel consumption will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 1,700 tons per year. In addition, P&W Railroad will continue to fuel their locomotives with ultra low sulfur diesel fuel ahead of the 2012 mandate, further reducing harmful emissions.

“The Providence and Worcester Railroad is a significant regional freight rail line with operations in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York. As such, a diesel emissions reduction project involving P&W has long been a top priority for the Northeast Diesel Collaborative,” said Paul Miller, Deputy Director of Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management. “We are very pleased that EPA has seen fit to fund this particular project.”

Today’s announcement is part of nearly $2 million in grant funds being awarded in New England by the EPA through the 2008 NEDC Emissions Reduction Grant program.

The recent passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) makes available an additional $300 million nationwide under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Program for grants and loans to help regional, state and local governments, tribal agencies, and non-profit organizations with projects that reduce diesel emissions and create jobs. A Request for Applications will be issued in the coming weeks. ARRA gives preference to projects that can be started and completed expeditiously. Prospective grant applicants can begin preparations now for the upcoming competitions.

NEDC is a partnership of public and private organizations working to improve air quality by taking action to reduce diesel pollution. The NEDC was established in 2005 by Regions 1 and 2 of the U.S. EPA, NESCAUM and the states and territories of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. Puerto Rico joined in 2007 and the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2008.

For more information:

Northeast Diesel Collaborative - http://www.northeastdiesel.org/

EPA Diesel in New England information - www.epa.gov/region1/eco/diesel/index.html

National EPA Clean Diesel Campaign - www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/grantfund.htm

EPA Proposes to Reduce Air Toxics from Stationary Diesel and Gas-Fired Engines

(Washington, D.C. – Feb. 27, 2009) For the first time, EPA is proposing to set emission limits for formaldehyde, benzene, acrolein and other air toxics from certain stationary diesel and gas-fired engines. In 2008, over 1 million of these engines generated electricity, powered equipment and operated during emergencies at industrial, agricultural and other facilities. The proposed limits would apply to engines located at smaller sources of air toxics.

For major sources of air toxics, this rule would only apply to engines that are:

· Smaller than or equal to 500 horsepower that were constructed or reconstructed before June 12, 2006, or
· Larger than or equal to 500 horsepower that were constructed or reconstructed before December 19, 2002.

To meet the proposed emissions requirements, owners and operators of these engines would need to install “after treatment” controls, such as filters or catalysts, to engine exhaust systems.

EPA estimates that this rule would reduce air toxics emissions by 13,000 tons per year, particle pollution by 2,600 tons and carbon monoxide emissions by 510,000 tons, when fully implemented in 2013.

The public comment period will be open for 60 days upon publication in the Federal Register.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t3fs.html .

In Califorinia, Even Heavy Equipment Goes Green

The Puente Hills Landfill hosted a rare group of federal and state environmental officials on Monday. They met at the waste disposal site to view tractors, bulldozers and refuse compactors that are ahead of schedule in meeting California's new, stringent diesel emissions standards for heavy equipment.

The roughly 180,000 pieces of off road equipment in California spew nearly as much smog-forming emissions and fine particle pollution as the one million diesel trucks that have just come under regulation by the California Air Resources Board.

Board Chairman Mary Nichols said, "ARB's first-in-the nation standards are driving businesses to invest in advanced technologies to clean our air and save the planet. Even heavy duty off road equipment can be part of the solution."

The Air Resources Board adopted a precedent-setting regulation in July 2007 that Nichols says will reduce toxic and cancer-causing diesel emissions from off road vehicles used in construction, mining, airport ground support, and other industries.

The regulation requires the installation of diesel soot filters and encourages the replacement of older, dirtier engines with newer emission-controlled models.

Because many diesel engines lack emission controls and can remain in use for 30 years or longer, they could become long-term contributors to air pollution.

But Nichols estimates that under the regulation, by 2020, diesel particulate matter will be reduced by 74 percent and smog forming oxides of nitrogen by 32 percent, compared to what emissions would be without the rule.

Diesel particulate matter, or diesel soot, was identified as a toxic air contaminant in 1998.
The ARB estimates that the off-road diesel rule will prevent at least 4,000 premature deaths statewide and avoid $18 to 26 billion in premature death and health costs.

"It cannot be overstated how this new regulation will help us in preventing air pollution-related health problems for residents of our region," said Barry Wallerstein, executive officer of the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

"Speeding up the transition to cleaner off-road equipment is key in our efforts to protect public health," he said.

ARB performed a comprehensive economic analysis of the rule's impact on business, which concluded that the regulation will cost industry up to $3.5 billion over its lifetime.
The requirements and deadlines vary depending on fleet size.

For small fleets, which include small businesses or municipalities with a combined horsepower of 2500 or less, implementation does not begin until 2015.

Medium fleets, with 2501 to 5000 horsepower, have until 2013, while large fleets, with over 5000 horsepower, must begin complying in 2010.

Bulldozers, loaders, backhoes and forklifts, as well as many other self-propelled off-road diesel vehicles must meet the new standard.

"This equipment is no longer just moving earth - it's moving California toward better air quality," said Wayne Nastri, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Pacific Southwest region, viewing the heavy equipment at Puente Hills.

"And with the $1 million we're giving to the South Coast Air Quality Management District to clean up 700 heavy duty trucks, more and more vehicles will be driving toward a future of cleaner air," Nastri said.

The funding for the greener heavy equipment resulted from enforcement actions that the U.S. EPA took against Chevron, Valero, Cosmed and ARCO for violations at their California facilities.

As part of their settlements, these companies agreed to use funds that otherwise would have been paid as penalties to conduct environmental projects that directly benefit the community where the violations occurred.

New Law Bolsters U.S. Efforts to Make Ocean-Going Ships Cleaner

With the president's July 21 signature of the Maritime Pollution Protection Act of 2008, U.S. agencies are setting course to implement a key international agreement to reduce air pollution from large ships. This key step clears the way for U.S. ratification of the international treaty regulating emissions – known as MARPOL Annex VI -- from large diesel-powered, ocean-going vessels.

Under MARPOL Annex VI, container ships, tankers, cruise ships and bulk carriers must limit NOx emissions from their category three diesel engines. It also sets a cap on the sulfur content of the fuel they burn and includes a program for designating areas where more stringent fuel controls apply, such as near coastlines that have more severe air quality concerns.

This October, the parties to MARPOL will work to strengthen NOx and SO2 standards and the sulfur requirements in fuel. The amendments under review are consistent with the stringent and comprehensive proposal put forward by the U.S. Government. If adopted, these stronger international standards will yield significant environmental and public health benefits in the U.S. and around the world.

As foreign trade grows and EPA's new emissions controls take effect on other transportation sources, emissions from large ships comprise an increasing share of the nation's pollution inventory. In 2001, in terms of mobile sources, oceangoing vessels contributed nearly 6 percent of NOx, over 10 percent of PM2.5, and about 40 percent of SO2 to the nation's air pollution. Without further controls, those numbers will rise to about 34 percent of NOx, 45 percent of PM2.5, and 94 percent of SO2 emissions by 2030.

The president's signature of the act brings into statute Annex VI to the International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (known as MARPOL). The U.S. Senate gave its formal advice and consent to Annex VI in 2006. The final step of the ratification process is for the President deliver a letter -- known as diplomatic instrument of ratification -- to the International Maritime Organization. The U.S. becomes a party three months later. MARPOL Annex VI entered into force beginning in May of 2005, although ships have met most provisions since 2000.

For more information:
EPA - reducing emissions from large ships

diesel pollution

California Presents First Bond 1B Check to San Joaquin Valley to Clean Up Air Quality

$5.6 million to be used to retrofit, replace hundreds of dirty truck engines

During a ceremony on July 9th at a Technology Forum held at UC Merced, California EPA Undersecretary Cindy Tuck presented a $5.6 million check to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to clean up hundreds of older, dirty diesel truck engines currently polluting Valley air.

The air district will use the funding to retrofit somewhere between 100 to 300 trucks with diesel particulate filters and completely replace the engines of an additional 70 to 100 trucks. Diesel pollution from trucks transiting major roadways, such as Interstate 5 and Highway 99, accounts for 80 percent of the Valley's smog forming and particulate matter emissions.

The truck fleet cleanups precede a draft regulation that the Air Resources Board will vote on in October that, if passed, will require truckers to retrofit pre-2007 model year trucks with soot filters and then requires a gradual modernization of trucks beginning in 2012, so that ultimately all trucks are the cleanest, 2010 or newer models. Over the past decade, ARB has also passed a series of landmark regulations aimed at slashing diesel emissions from ships, off-road construction equipment and other sources.

"This first check under Proposition 1B is going exactly where it's needed most -- to fund the retrofits and replacements of older, dirty diesel trucks that pollute Valley air," Tuck said."This funding, combined with the opportunities that will grow out of today's technololgy forum, will continue our momentum in improving air quality in California."

"The Valley faces tremendous air quality challenges, and we appreciate this unprecedented support from the state which will result in a real reduction in emissions and a better quality of life for valley residents," said Seyed Sadredin, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control Officer.
ARB will allocate an additional $40.5 million to the San Joaquin air district for other diesel emissions reduction projects in the coming year.

ARB and California EPA also signed a memorandum of agreement today with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and San Joaquin and South Coast air districts, committing to work together on identifying and promoting emerging technologies to improve air quality throughout the state.

Southern California and the Central Valley continue to suffer from some of the worst air quality in the nation. Emissions from diesel particulate matter are associated with causing a variety of health effects including premature death and a number of heart and lung diseases.

The check constitutes the first funding handed out using Proposition 1B funds, which was the transportation bond put on the ballot by the Legislature and before the voters in November 2006. The 2007-08 Budget, signed by Governor Schwarzenegger in August, funds the initial $250 million of the $1 billion set aside for air quality improvement projects in Proposition 1B.

The Board is focused on funding projects that reduce emissions and health risk, incorporate simplicity and efficiency, ensure cost-effectiveness, and leverage other funding source. Go to www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/diesel.htm/ for application criteria.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.

The energy challenge facing California is real. Every Californian needs to take immediate action to reduce energy consumption. For a list of simple ways you can reduce demand and cut your energy cost, see our web site at http://www.arb.ca.gov/

See the Source:

ARB

Find out:

About diesel particulate filters for on- and off-road vehicles

diesel pollution

ARB's Carl Moyer Program Provides $8.2 Million for Cleaner Diesel Engines

The Air Resources Board awarded $8.2 million in June to expedite cleanup of dirty diesel engines via projects that improve air quality in more than one of California's 35 air districts.

Winning projects funded under the state's Carl Moyer Program are based up and down the state, and include companies based in Northern and Southern California, Sacramento, Las Vegas and the San Joaquin Valley.

"The Carl Moyer program has a long history of innovation and success," said ARB Chairman Mary Nichols. "The funding helps air districts improve air quality and meet federal deadlines, while also providing businesses with incentives to invest in and demonstrate advanced emission control technologies. And of course, the public benefits by having cleaner air to breathe."

To qualify for Carl Moyer monies, projects must provide early or extra emission reductions. Each project grant is administered through the local air district where the project is based.

Over its first seven years (1998-2005), the Carl Moyer Program provided $170 million to clean up approximately 7,500 engines throughout California, reducing about 24 tons per day of smog-forming oxides of nitrogen and one ton per day of toxic diesel particulate matter.

Smog can exacerbate a variety of cardiovascular and respiratory conditions such as heart disease and asthma, while diesel particulate matter was recognized as a cancer-causing health risk in 1998.

This year, the ARB received over $39 million in requests for $8.2 million in available multi-district project funding. Projects were scored based on factors including cost-effectiveness, regulatory jurisdiction, environmental justice considerations and project schedule.

The 2007-08 multi-district projects are expected over their lifetime to reduce smog-forming and diesel particulate emissions by 2,184 tons.

Eligible projects fall into categories including on-road, off-road, marine and locomotive. This year, on-road projects accounted for $1,889,933 of the available funding. Off-road projects totaled $792,916, marine $844,179, and locomotive efforts utilized the lion's share at $4,749,161.

See the Source:

California Environmental Protection Agency

Find out:

How to reduce diesel pollution using diesel particulate filters

ARB Proposes Landmark Truck Regulation

Diesel emissions from freeway trucks are major contributors to poor air quality

Members of the Air Resources Board today emphasized the importance of passing a proposed state regulation before the Board later this year aimed at cleaning up emissions from 300,000 private diesel trucks after hearing a presentation from staff on additional health risks posed to West Oakland residents primarily by trucks transiting local freeways.

The study, developed in collaboration with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the Maritime Port of Oakland and Union Pacific Railroad, reveals that the estimated lifetime potential cancer risk for residents of West Oakland from exposure to diesel emissions is about 1,200 excess cancers per million people. The analysis covers 3.1 million people who reside in the affected area of 3,800 square miles.

While diesel trucks account for a majority of the risk in West Oakland resulting in about 850 potential cancer cases per million or 70 percent, port operations account for an estimated lifetime potential cancer risk of 200 excess cancer cases per million, or about 15 percent of the total. Union Pacific railyard emissions amount to a potential cancer risk of about 40 excess cancer cases per million, or less than 5 percent and the remaining 10 percent of risk comes from a variety of diesel sources such as passenger trains and construction projects.

"This health assessment strenghtens our resolve to clean up the estimated 300,000 diesel trucks currently spewing health-threatening soot throughout the state," ARB Chairman Mary Nichols said. "If we fail to pass this regulation, West Oakland residents will continue to be endangered by this huge unregulated source of diesel emissions."

In the development of the ship emissions, ARB staff used transponder data (continuously reports ship location) to more accurate estimate where off-shore emissions are occurring. For the first time in a large risk assessment, a regional wind field was generated using data from 30 onshore and 3 offshore weather stations. The CALPUFF model was used to estimate the ambient concentration of diesel particulate matter. This model is capable of producing more precise results than the models used in the past due to its ability to account for highly varying wind fields and complex terrain.

Emissions from diesel particulate matter are associated with causing a variety of health effects including premature death and a number of heart and lung diseases. The study also estimates the yearly non-cancer health impacts resulting from exposure to port-related diesel particulate matter emissions in the area: 18 premature deaths (age 30 and older), 290 asthma attacks, 2,600 days of work loss, and 15,000 minor restricted activity episodes.

Having identified diesel particulate matter as a toxic air contaminant in 1998 due to its potential to cause cancer and other respiratory problems, ARB has put in place stringent regulations to curve the health risk to Californians. The most recent adopted regulations to limit diesel emissions affect cargo handling equipment, transport refrigeration units, truck idling, off-road equipment, harbor craft, ship auxiliary engines, port drayage trucks and ships-at-berth. Also, the introduction of cleaner fuel for railroads and ships has contributed to lower pollution around the ports and railyards.

Later this year, ARB will be considering proposed regulations involving on-road heavy duty diesel vehicles (trucks and buses) and ocean-going vessel main engines to further reduce diesel soot. State control measures will contribute to an approximate decrease of 80 percent in harmful emissions by 2015.

See Source:
ARB - West Oakland health risk assessment

Find out:
How to reduce diesel particulate matter using diesel particulate filters (DPFs)

diesel pollution

ARB approves $200 million for Cleaner School Buses from Proposition 1B Funding

Program will reduce exposure of children to pollution from high emitting buses

The Air Resources Board approved today the allocation of nearly $200 million to replace the remaining 74 oldest school buses still circulating in California, and to replace or retrofit an additional 4,500 high polluting buses serving public schools.

Proposition 1B, approved by voters in 2006, provides funding for the ARB Lower-Emission School Bus Program. These monies will allow school districts to replace or retrofit diesel school buses in another effort to reduce diesel particulate matter emissions in California. Since established in 2000, the program has provided over $100 million to replace 600 school buses and retrofit another 3,800 vehicles.

"I can't even begin to describe the significant health benefits that this program will bring into California and particularly for our most precious sector of the population, our children," said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "The additional funding originated by Proposition 1B will be well put to work by providing safe and clean transportation to public schools throughout the state, creating a much healthier environment for everyone."

As approved by ARB, this year's allocation of nearly $200 million will be distributed among the local air districts as
follows:

Local Air Basin Allocation* (in millions)
South Coast $70
Ventura $5
San Diego $5.6
Monterey $7
Bay Area $8.4
Sacramento $9
San Joaquin Valley $39
Other air districts $47
* Allocations have been rounded. Program administration and outreach costs are not included.

The Lower-Emission School Bus Program will cover the cost to replace all 74 still-in-service pre-1977 buses and approximately one thousand 1977-1986 buses. Those replaced buses must be scrapped to comply with established guidelines. Finally, the full cost of about 3,500 retrofits will be paid under this program. Retrofits provide the greatest health benefit in emission reductions per dollar spent.

A 2003 study sponsored by the ARB confirmed that children can be exposed to harmful diesel emissions from the buses they ride to and from school. The same study also stated that exposure to that pollution is worse in pre-1987 vehicles, which have deteriorating engines as well as interior cabins that allow toxic emissions into the bus.

The goal of the program is to reduce the exposure of school children to both cancer-causing and smog-forming pollution by reducing diesel particulate matter emissions from school buses.
With the replacement and retrofitting of the vehicles funded by the Lower-Emission School Bus Program, the reductions estimated through 2020 are 3,000 tons of oxides of nitrogen, 200 tons of diesel particulate matter and 22,000 tons of carbon dioxide.

See the Source:

ARB Lower-Emission School Bus Program

Find out:

See animation showing how diesel particulate filters get rid of toxic diesel emissions

air pollution
diesel pollution

Black Carbon Pollution Emerges as Major Player in Global Warming

Soot from biomass burning, diesel exhaust has 60 percent of the effect of carbon dioxide on warming but mitigation offers immediate benefits

Black carbon, a form of particulate air pollution most often produced from biomass burning, cooking with solid fuels and diesel exhaust, has a warming effect in the atmosphere three to four times greater than prevailing estimates, according to scientists in an upcoming review article in the journal Nature Geoscience.

Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego atmospheric scientist V. Ramanathan and University of Iowa chemical engineer Greg Carmichael, said that soot and other forms of black carbon could have as much as 60 percent of the current global warming effect of carbon dioxide, more than that of any greenhouse gas besides CO2. The researchers also noted, however, that mitigation would have immediate societal benefits in addition to the long term effect of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The article, "Global and regional climate changes due to black carbon," will be posted in the online version of Nature Geoscience on Sunday, March 23.

"Observationally based studies such as ours are converging on the same large magnitude of black carbon heating as modeling studies from Stanford, Caltech and NASA," said Ramanathan. "We now have to examine if black carbon is also having a large role in the retreat of arctic sea ice and Himalayan glaciers as suggested by recent studies."

In the paper, Ramanathan and Carmichael integrated observed data from satellites, aircraft and surface instruments about the warming effect of black carbon and found that its forcing, or warming effect in the atmosphere, is about 0.9 watts per meter squared. That compares to estimates of between 0.2 watts per meter squared and 0.4 watts per meter squared that were agreed upon as a consensus estimate in a report released last year by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a U.N.-sponsored agency that periodically synthesizes the body of climate change research.

Ramanathan and Carmichael said the conservative estimates are based on widely used computer model simulations that do not take into account the amplification of black carbon's warming effect when mixed with other aerosols such as sulfates. The models also do not adequately represent the full range of altitudes at which the warming effect occurs. The most recent observations, in contrast, have found significant black carbon warming effects at altitudes in the range of 2 kilometers (6,500 feet), levels at which black carbon particles absorb not only sunlight but also solar energy reflected by clouds at lower altitudes.

Between 25 and 35 percent of black carbon in the global atmosphere comes from China and India, emitted from the burning of wood and cow dung in household cooking and through the use of coal to heat homes. Countries in Europe and elsewhere that rely heavily on diesel fuel for transportation also contribute large amounts.

"Per capita emissions of black carbon from the United States and some European countries are still comparable to those from south Asia and east Asia," Ramanathan said.

In south Asia, pollution often forms a prevalent brownish haze that has been termed the "atmospheric brown cloud." Ramanathan's previous research has indicated that the warming effects of this smog appear to be accelerating the melt of Himalayan glaciers that provide billions of people throughout Asia with drinking water. In addition, the inhalation of smoke during indoor cooking has been linked to the deaths of an estimated 400,000 women and children in south and east Asia.

Elimination of black carbon, a contributor to global warming and a public health hazard, offers a nearly instant return on investment, the researchers said. Black carbon particles only remain airborne for weeks at most compared to carbon dioxide, which remains in the atmosphere for more than a century. In addition, technology that could substantially reduce black carbon emissions already exists in the form of commercially available products.

Ramanathan said that an observation program for which he is currently seeking corporate sponsorship could dramatically illustrate the benefits. Known as Project Surya, the proposed venture would provide some 20,000 rural Indian households with smoke-free cookers and equipped to transmit data. At the same time, a team of researchers led by Ramanathan would observe air pollution levels in the region to measure the effect of the cookers.

Carmichael said he hopes that the paper's presentation of the immediacy of the benefits will make it easier to generate political and regulatory momentum toward reduction of black carbon emissions.

"It offers a chance to get better traction for implementing strategies for reducing black carbon," he said.

The National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration funded the review.

See the Source:
Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Find out:
About diesel particulate filters to reduce soot, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions

diesel pollution

ARB: Diesel Soot from Trucks Major Contributor to Air Pollution

ARB reveals West Oakland health risk assessment Diesel emissions from freeway trucks are major contributors to poor air quality

OAKLAND – The Air Resources Board presented today at a public forum the preliminary results from a comprehensive health risk assessment study for the community of West Oakland. The report shows an increased potential cancer risk due to diesel particulate matter emissions from trucks traveling on nearby freeways and marine vessel traffic in the San Francisco Bay Area unrelated to the Port of Oakland.

The study, developed in collaboration with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the Maritime Port of Oakland and Union Pacific Railroad, reveals that the estimated lifetime potential cancer risk for residents of West Oakland from exposure to diesel emissions is about 1,200 excess cancers per million people. The analysis covers 3.1 million people who reside in the affected area of 3,800 square miles.

While diesel trucks account for a majority of the risk in West Oakland resulting in about 850 potential cancer cases per million or 70 percent, port operations account for an estimated lifetime potential cancer risk of 200 excess cancer cases per million, or about 15 percent of the total. Union Pacific railyard emissions amount to a potential cancer risk of about 40 excess cancer cases per million, or less than 5 percent and the remaining 10 percent of risk comes from a variety of diesel sources such as passenger trains and construction projects.

"This health risk assessment will provide the community the focus and momentum needed to mobilize and combat air pollution," said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "We look forward to working with community activists to converge on the main pollution culprits, such as trucks motoring on nearby freeways, affecting a growing and vibrant West Oakland."

In the development of the ship emissions, ARB staff used transponder data (continuously reports ship location) to more accurate estimate where off-shore emissions are occurring. For the first time in a large risk assessment, a regional wind field was generated using data from 30 onshore and 3 offshore weather stations. The CALPUFF model was used to estimate the ambient concentration of diesel particulate matter. This model is capable of producing more precise results than the models used in the past due to its ability to account for highly varying wind fields and complex terrain.

Emissions from diesel particulate matter are associated with causing a variety of health effects including premature death and a number of heart and lung diseases. The study also estimates the yearly non-cancer health impacts resulting from exposure to port-related diesel particulate matter emissions in the area: 18 premature deaths (age 30 and older), 290 asthma attacks, 2,600 days of work loss, and 15,000 minor restricted activity episodes.

Having identified diesel particulate matter as a toxic air contaminant in 1998 due to its potential to cause cancer and other respiratory problems, ARB has put in place stringent regulations to curve the health risk to Californians. The most recent adopted regulations to limit diesel emissions affect cargo handling equipment, transport refrigeration units, truck idling, off-road equipment, harbor craft, ship auxiliary engines, port drayage trucks and ships-at-berth. Also, the introduction of cleaner fuel for railroads and ships has contributed to lower pollution around the ports and railyards.

Later this year, ARB will be considering proposed regulations involving on-road heavy duty diesel vehicles (trucks and buses) and ocean-going vessel main engines to further reduce diesel soot. State control measures will contribute to an approximate decrease of 80 percent in harmful emissions by 2015.

See the Source:

West Oakland Study

Find out:

About diesel particulate filters for off-road and stationary engines to cut diesel pollution

diesel emissions
air pollution

TERP Awards Over $1.7 Million to Help Clean the Air

Texas has awarded over $1.7 million in rebates to eight North Texas-based companies to replace 19 aging diesel vehicles under the Texas Emissions Reduction Program (TERP). By upgrading to newer, less polluting vehicles these companies will prevent a combined total of 179 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from polluting North Texas skies.

"By participating in TERP these companies are helping us to achieve our goal of replacing 4,500 older diesel engines," said Leslie Rauscher, EPA Project Manager. "TERP can assist local businesses stay competitive while helping clean up the air.”

The $30 million allocated to the rebate grants under this funding cycle has been awarded, but there is still time to apply for the Emissions Reduction Incentive Grants (ERIG) with $110 million to award. The application deadline is April 11, 2008. Individual application assistance is available at local TERP Community Help Desks. For information visit http://www.terpgrants.org/ or call (800) 919-8377.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and a host of other North Texas partners to upgrade or replace older trucks and equipment as a way to improve air quality in the nine county area. The Texas Emissions Reduction Program, approved by the Texas Legislature, serves as a national model for replacing and retrofitting older diesel engines. The TCEQ manages the TERP program.

See the Source:
EPA Region 6

diesel pollution

$5.4 Million Available to Cut Diesel Pollution in Northeast and Caribbean

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is making nearly $5.4 million in grants available for clean diesel projects under the 2008 Northeast Diesel Collaborative (NEDC) program to reduce harmful diesel pollution. Projects may include a variety of diesel emissions reductions solutions such as add-on emission control retrofit technologies; idle reduction technologies; cleaner fuel use; engine repowers; engine upgrades; vehicle or equipment replacement; and the creation of innovative finance programs to fund diesel emissions reduction projects. All projects must benefit the air quality in the geographic areas that include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Vermont; and Tribal lands belonging to the federally recognized Indian tribes in these regions. The deadline for applying is June 12, 2008.

“Reducing the emissions of particle pollution is a crucial component of EPA’s strategy for cleaner air and healthier Americans,” said Alan J. Steinberg, EPA Regional Administrator. “These funds allow us to complement regulatory efforts, like our new rule to dramatically reduce emissions from diesel powered locomotives and marine engines, announced last week. The Northeast Diesel Collaborative is part of EPA’s National Clean Diesel Campaign, which includes the grant program announced today and works to clean up diesels that are already on our roads and rails, at our construction sites and in our harbors."

Funding under the NEDC emissions reduction grant program supports projects that significantly reduce tons of diesel pollution produced, particularly from fleets operating in areas designated by the Administrator as poor air quality areas. The program reduces pollution from heavy duty diesel vehicles and equipment that are currently used on the road or off the road, such as for construction or farming. Eligible vehicles, engines and equipment may include but are not limited to: buses; medium-duty or heavy-duty trucks; marine engines; locomotives; and nonroad engines or vehicles used in construction; handling or cargo (including at a port or airport); agriculture; mining; or energy production.

EPA is accepting proposals for funding from regional, state, local or tribal agencies or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality. Proposals will also be accepted from nonprofit organizations or institutions that represent or provide pollution reduction or educational services to persons or organizations that own or operate diesel fleets or that have, as their principal purpose, the promotion of transportation or air quality. School districts, municipalities, metropolitan planning organizations, cities and counties are all eligible provided that they fall within the definition above.

EPA will host two Question and Answer sessions via teleconference on April 10 from 10:00 am to 12 noon and May 7 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM to answer questions and provide additional information about this funding competition. The call-in number for both sessions is: 866-299-3188. Enter Conference Code: 212 637 3745 #.

For more information, including a copy of the Request for Proposals, please visit: http://www.northeastdiesel.org/ or contact Matt Laurita (212) 637-3895.

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North East Diesel

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How to reduce diesel emissions using diesel particulate filters

Cleaning Up Dirty Generator Exhaust with CleanAIR’s Big Stainless Steel Box

Diesel emergency generators made “greener” using emissions control technology

In today’s “green” economy, there’s a dirty little secret hiding behind many hospitals, colleges and data storage centers. It’s the diesel emergency generator.

Belching soot, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide, diesel exhaust created by back-up generators is a proven cause of cardiovascular and pulmonary health problems. The National Air Toxics Assessment estimates the cancer risk from exposure to diesel emissions is ten times higher than the combined cancer risk from all other hazardous air pollutants. Diesel emissions also contribute to atmospheric haze, smog, acid rain and global climate change.

Although a necessity when the power grid fails to deliver, industrial diesel generators create an unhealthy situation, particularly when operated next to hospitals and schools. Back-up generators are also a little-known “ungreen” reality of today’s giant data storage facilities.

When sooty generator emissions are clouding the horizon, there is a solution. Turning brown emissions “green” can be done with a big shiny, stainless steel box developed by CleanAIR Systems. When attached to an emergency generator, brown smoke and toxic emissions are almost eliminated.

What’s in this mysterious box that makes emissions disappear? Is it all just smoke and mirrors? Hardly. The answer can be found in multiple self-regenerating diesel particulate filters enclosed in a sleek, stainless steel, ultra-quiet silencer shell manufactured by CleanAIR Systems, a leader in emissions control technology. The CleanAIR PERMIT Filter/Silencer system dramatically reduces dirty soot (particulate matter) from generator exhaust by more than 85%. The amount of smelly hydrocarbons and deadly carbon monoxide also plunges by 99%.

How many emergency generators are in use pumping toxic emissions into our atmosphere? Taking into account that the majority of hospitals, colleges and data centers require back-up power to operate in case of a power failure, consider these statistics:

- According to the American Hospital Association, there are over 5,700 registered U.S. hospitals. Critical care facilities rely heavily on back-up generators in the event of a power outage.

- The Association of American Colleges and Universities says there are over 2,600 four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. And the American Association of Community Colleges lists 1,195 community colleges. Most colleges have at least one emergency generator (and some have several) on campus to keep buildings up and running in case of a blackout.

- AFCOM (Association for Computer Operations Management) counts 3,600 of the world’s largest data storage centers as members, representing every major industry. Back-up generators are a critical element of every data storage facility in order not to loose crucial data when the power goes out.

When other commercial and public facilities such as mining operations, semiconductors, and credit card companies are included in the count, there are an estimated 100,000 industrial standby generators currently operating in the United States alone.

What’s being done to control emissions on thousands of emergency generators? In California, air quality regulations for emergency generators are stringent and well enforced, many times requiring emissions control technology such as CleanAIR’s Filter/Silencer to be installed by the facility, especially if a generator is in operation within the vicinity of a school. But regulations in other parts of the country have more leeway, allowing many emergency generators to be operated without air pollution controls.

With thousands of large, emergency generators spewing harmful air pollution into our environment, maybe it’s time we clean up our dirty little secret.

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How to clean up emergency generator emissions with a filter/silencer using diesel particulate filters.

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Improving Public Health and the Environment for Local Communities is Just a Click Away

A new EPA Web site features dozens of projects that local communities can do to help make the air cleaner and healthier to breathe. The "Improving Air Quality in Your Community" Web site features activities for reducing both indoor and outdoor pollution, including diesel engine retrofit programs, improving air quality in local schools, and pollution prevention options for small businesses. These projects have a successful track record: they were previously put into action by state and local governments across the country. This site includes information about the costs to establish and maintain each project, and how local communities can apply for EPA grants to kick-start their activities.

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EPA - Improving Air Quality in Your Community

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How to decrease diesel particulate pollution on backup generators at local schools and small businesses.

Air Pollution May Cause Heart Disease

Patients prone to heart disease may one day be told by physicians to avoid not only fatty foods and smoking but air pollution too.

A new academic study led by UCLA researchers has revealed that the smallest particles from vehicle emissions may be the most damaging components of air pollution in triggering plaque buildup in the arteries, which can lead to heart attack and stroke. The findings appear in the Jan. 17 online edition of the journal Circulation Research.

The scientists identified a way in which pollutant particles may promote hardening of the arteries — by inactivating the protective qualities of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, known as "good" cholesterol.

A multicampus team from UCLA, the University of Southern California, the University of California, Irvine, and Michigan State University contributed to the research, which was led by Dr. Andre Nel, UCLA's chief of nanomedicine. The study was primarily funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

"It appears that the smallest air pollutant particles, which are the most abundant in an urban environment, are the most toxic," said first author Dr. Jesus Araujo, assistant professor of medicine and director of environmental cardiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. "This is the first study that demonstrates the ability of nano-sized air pollutants to promote atherosclerosis in an animal model."

Nanoparticles are the size of a virus or molecule — less than 0.18 micrometers, or about one-thousandth the size of a human hair. The EPA currently regulates fine particles, which are the next size up, at 2.5 micrometers, but doesn't monitor particles in the nano or ultrafine range.
These particles are too small to capture in a filter, so new technology must be developed to track their contribution to adverse health effects.

"We hope our findings offer insight into the impact of nano-sized air pollutant particles and help explore ways for stricter air quality regulatory guidelines," said Nel, principal investigator and a researcher at UCLA's California NanoSystems Institute.

Nel added that the consequences of air pollution on cardiovascular health may be similar to the hazards of secondhand smoke.

Pollution particles emitted by vehicles and other combustion sources contain a high concentration of organic chemicals that could be released deep into the lungs or even spill over into the systemic circulation.

The UCLA research team previously reported that diesel exhaust particles interact with artery-clogging fats in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to activate genes that cause the blood-vessel inflammation that can lead to heart disease.

In the current study, researchers exposed mice with high cholesterol to one of two sizes of air pollutant particles from downtown Los Angeles freeway emissions and compared them with mice that received filtered air that contained very few particles.

The study, conducted over a five-week period, required a complex exposure design that was developed by teams led by Dr. Michael Kleinman, professor of community and environmental medicine at UC Irvine, and Dr. Constantinos Sioutas, professor of civil and environmental engineering at USC.

Researchers found that mice exposed to ultrafine particles exhibited 55 percent greater atherosclerotic-plaque development than animals breathing filtered air and 25 percent greater plaque development than mice exposed to fine-sized particles.

"This suggests that ultrafine particles are the more toxic air pollutants in promoting events leading to cardiovascular disease," Araujo said.

Pollutant particles are coated in chemicals sensitive to free radicals, which cause the cell and tissue damage known as oxidation. Oxidation leads to the inflammation that causes clogged arteries. Samples from polluted air revealed that ultrafine particles have a larger concentration of these chemicals and a larger surface area where these chemicals thrive, compared with larger particles, Sioutas noted.

"Ultrafine particles may deliver a much higher effective dose of injurious components, compared with larger pollutant particles," Nel said.

Scientists also identified a key mechanism behind how these air pollutants are able to affect the atherosclerotic process. Using a test developed by Dr. Mohamad Navab, study co-author and a UCLA professor of medicine, researchers found that exposure to air pollutant particles reduced the anti-inflammatory protective properties of HDL cholesterol.

"HDL normally helps reduce the vascular inflammation that is part of the atherosclerotic process," said Dr. Jake Lusis, study co-author and a UCLA professor of cardiology, human genetics and microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics. "Surprisingly, we found that exposure to air pollutant particles, and especially the ultrafine size, significantly decreased the positive effects of HDL."

To explore if air particle exposure caused oxidative stress throughout the body — which is an early process triggering the inflammation that causes clogged arteries — researchers checked for an increase in genes that would have been activated to combat this inflammatory progression.

"We found greater levels of gene activation in mice exposed to ultrafine particles, compared to the other groups," Lusis said. "Our next step will be to develop a biomarker that could enable physicians to assess the degree of cardiovascular damage caused by air pollutants or measure the level of risk encountered by an exposed person."

Researchers added that previous studies assessing the cardiovascular impact of air pollution have taken place over longer periods of exposure time, such as five to six months. The current study demonstrated that ill effects can occur more quickly, in just five weeks.

"Further study will pinpoint critical chemical and toxic properties of ultrafine particles that may affect humans," Nel said.

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UCLA

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New Report Shows Toll from Overdue EPA Emissions Standards

A new technical analysis shows that even a one year delay by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in implementing overdue emission standards for diesel trains and ships will allow serious health effects to go unaddressed over the course of EPA's program. The adverse health consequences include: 1400 premature deaths, 3000 heart attacks, and 24,000 asthma attacks. The technical analysis by the national nonprofit group Environmental Defense is based on EPA's own data and methodologies, and is summarized in a one page fact sheet available from jscott@ed.org or scrowley@ed.org .

In 2004, EPA announced plans to put in place new standards for the nation's fleet of diesel locomotives and ships by mid-2006, but missed the deadline. In March 2007, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson issued draft federal standards that would reduce particulate pollution and smog-forming nitrogen oxides from each engine by 80 percent or greater when fully phased in. Collectively, this pollution reduction is equivalent to taking three-quarters of a million diesel trucks off the road each year. At the time the draft standards were released, Administrator Johnson said the agency would "finalize [the proposed rule] by the end of the year [i.e., 2007]," but EPA has now missed this deadline.

"EPA's delay in adopting clean air standards for diesel trains and ships has serious human health consequences in the real world and will allow thousands of deaths, heart attacks and asthma attacks to go unaddressed," said Environmental Defense staff attorney Janea Scott. "We urge EPA to fulfill its commitments to the American people by immediately adopting protective clean air standards for high-polluting diesel trains and ships."

Most of the ships and trains in the U.S. today are powered by diesel engines. Diesel trains and ships, such as ferries and tugboats, are major sources of air pollution. Diesel exhaust contains toxic chemicals that together with diesel particulate matter pose a cancer risk greater than that of any other air pollutant. Each year, diesel locomotives and commercial ships together emit nearly two million tons of smog-forming oxides of nitrogen. Both are major sources of lethal particulate pollution.

Environmental Defense, a leading national nonprofit organization, represents more than 500,000 members. Since 1967, Environmental Defense has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems. http://www.environmentaldefense.org/

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Earthtimes.org

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Real-World Studies Show Air Pollution Lowers Lung Function

Two real-world studies recently reported in the New England Journal of Medicine show that increased exposure to traffic heavy with diesel exhaust has a measurable effect on lung capacity.

The Swiss study conducted over an 11-year period showed that breathing cleaner air resulting from a cut in air pollution through the enforcement of stricter environmental laws, added an extra year of healthy breathing to test subjects. The London study examined 60 asthmatic adults as they took 2-hour walks. The subjects walked along a busy London street filled with exhaust or in a traffic-free park. Lung function decreased by 5-6 percent after being exposed to traffic emissions.

It appears from the studies that a decrease in exposure to particulate matter, a component of diesel exhaust, and breathing cleaner air reduces the aging affect on the lungs.

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The China Post

U.S. News & World Report

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Got a California Diesel Truck? Take the ARB Survey

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is conducting an online survey on the use of certain on-road diesel trucks, such as long-haul and local delivery, to gather info on their use and age. CARB is requesting any person, business or corporation in California that owns or leases, for twelve months or more, any diesel-powered truck, bus, pickup, or other vehicle to complete the survey.

To access the Heavy-Duty Vehicles Survey go to:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onrdiesel/onroad_survey/index.php

ARB Settles with Waste Management for over $1 million

Trash hauler failed to inspect diesel trucks for excess smoke

SACRAMENTO - Waste Management recently settled with the California Air Resources Board for more than $1 million for failing to properly inspect its diesel truck fleet to assure state emission standards were met.

Waste Management, the nation's largest trash hauler, settled for air quality violations that occurred in 2004 and 2005 throughout the state.

"Trash pick-up is a critical service, but emissions spewed from uninspected trucks are not something Californians should pay for with their health," said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "Our enforcement teams will continue to ensure clean air laws are taken seriously."

California's Periodic Smoke Inspection Program, which requires annual smoke opacity tests of California-based fleets, in conjunction with a roadside smoke inspection program, is used to ensure that all of California's heavy-duty vehicles are properly maintained, tamper-free and free from excessive smoke emissions.

In addition to the settlement monies, Waste Management has agreed to comply with the smoke inspection program and will require all fleet staff responsible for compliance with the ARB's regulations to attend classes conducted by the California Council on Diesel Education and Technology. Waste Management must also supply to ARB all smoke inspection records for the 2007 and subsequent four years.

All monies are being paid to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, which was established to mitigate various sources of pollution through education and the advancement and use of cleaner technology. This fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, uses compliance settlement fees to support various pollution-related research projects and related programs.

The state has more than 12,000 diesel-fueled commercial and residential solid waste and recycling collection vehicles. Waste collection is a weekly event in most areas, and in some cases, neighborhoods are served by three collection vehicles each week.

Unchecked, emissions from these trucks contribute to toxic diesel particulate matter levels that are a danger to public health.

Diesel emissions contribute to poor air quality throughout the state.

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California Air Resources Board

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How to cut emissions on waste collection vehicles using diesel oxidation catalysts or diesel particulate filters.

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Dangerous Ferry Emissions in California

This photo is of a California ferry service taken by a citizen reporter and posted on Flickr with her comments. Diesel ferries and other harbor craft emit dangerous particulate matter (black soot) that can cause serious health problems such as lung impairment, heart attacks and even premature death.

Here are a few statistics just posted by the California Air Resources Board:
- 3 tons of diesel soot and 73 tons of NOx: the amount of pollutants emitted daily from California harbor craft
- 4,200: an estimate of how many harbor craft vessels operate in California
- 600: number of CA ferries, excursion vessels, tugboats and towboats that require emissions reduction under a new ARB ruling to cut emissions by 50% by 2015

Thank you to Luxomdedia for providing the photo for this post. Here are her comments:
A plume of deadly diesel exhaust pours from the Blue and Gold Fleet Ferry service to Oakland Alameda. They do not use diesel particulate filters and the ferry manager said they do not have any plans to install them. An average of 900 people ride the ferry every day, including school children. The people who work on the ferry get the most exposure to it.

The company received roughly $1.5 million in Carl Moyer grant funding from Bay Area Air-Quality Management in 2006, including $677,531 for this vessel to be upgraded. They also raised their ticket prices for capital improvements. It seems that the vessel just "goes in for service" often, but no long-term air quality improvements are made. I usually enjoy riding the ferry, and the service and people who work there are great, but what's the point when you can't breathe fresh air? What is also concerning is that B&G claim to be clean, green and environmentally sound. I don't see any "green waves" here, do you? I am looking forward to when this is really a clean, green commute. Until then, I think I WILL hold my breath.

Check out the California Air Resources Board, and the Clean Air Task Force public health information about Diesel Exhaust, which causes cancer and other health problems contributing to thousands of premature deaths per year.

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Luxomedia on Flickr

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About diesel particulate filters that can be used to retrofit ferries, reducing diesel particulate matter by more than 85%.

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Spending Time in Your Car Increases Pollution Exposure

The daily commute may be taking more of a toll than people realize. A new study by researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) and the California Air Resources Board found that up to half of Los Angeles residents’ total exposure to harmful air pollutants occurs while people are traveling in their vehicles.

Although the average Los Angeles driver spends about six percent (1.5 hours) of his or her day on the road, that period of time accounts for 33 to 45 percent of total exposure to diesel and ultrafine particles (UFP), according to the study published this month in the journal Atmospheric Environment and available online. On freeways, diesel-fueled trucks are the source of the highest concentrations of harmful pollutants.

“If you have otherwise healthy habits and don’t smoke, driving to work is probably the most unhealthy part of your day,” says Scott Fruin, D.Env., assistant professor of environmental health at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. “Urban dwellers with long commutes are probably getting most of their UFP exposure while driving.”

High air exchange rates that occur when a vehicle is moving make roadways a major source of exposure. Ultrafine particles are of particular concern because, unlike larger particles, they can penetrate cell walls and disperse throughout the body, Fruin says. Particulate matter has been linked to cardiovascular disease, but the ultrafine fraction on roadways appears to be more toxic than larger sizes.

Researchers measured exposure by outfitting an electric vehicle with nine, fast-response air pollution instruments. A video recorded surrounding traffic and driving conditions on freeways and arterial roads throughout the Los Angeles region. Measurements were collected during a three-month period from February to April 2003, and four typical days were selected for a second-by-second video and statistical analysis.

Results showed that the two main sources of pollution were diesel-fueled trucks on freeways and hard accelerations on surface streets. Surprisingly, overall congestion was only a factor on arterial roads and, even then, the highest concentrations of pollutants occurred only when vehicles were accelerating from a stop, Fruin says.

“This study was the first to look at the effect of driving and traffic conditions at this level of detail and to demonstrate the specific factors leading to the highest pollutant exposures for drivers,” Fruin says. “The extent that a specific type of vehicle—diesel trucks—dominated the highest concentration conditions on freeways was unexpected.”

Driving with the windows closed and recirculating air settings can modestly reduce the particle pollution exposures but does not reduce most gaseous pollutants. Driving at speeds lower than 20 miles-per-hour can also reduce exposure, but none of these measures are as effective as simply cutting back on driving time, he says.

“Shortening your commute and spending less time in the car will significantly reduce your total body burden of harmful pollutants,” Fruin says.

Off-road transportation such as taking the train will have a significant impact. Biking or walking are alternatives that also provide valuable health benefits from exercise, he says.

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USC

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Research Finds Diesel Exhaust Kills Throat Cells

Press Release:

September 11 - Researchers at Deakin University have found that diesel exhaust is far more damaging to our health than exhaust from biodiesel, the plant-based fuel.

Associate Professor Leigh Ackland, Associate Head of Deakin’s School of Life and Environmental Sciences, led a team of researchers who compared the effects of diesel exhaust and biodiesel exhaust on human airway cells. They found that diesel exhaust damaged and killed the cells, while biodiesel exhaust had little effect.

"Australia's escalating need for fuel is posing a major health problem," Associate Professor Ackland said.

"The fumes from burning fuels, including diesel, contributes to pollution and can cause heart disease, bronchitis and asthma. Efforts are underway to replace petrol and diesel with cleaner biofuels, such as biodiesel, but there is considerable resistance to this.

"This study provides clear evidence that diesel exhaust is more harmful to our health than biodiesel exhaust."

As it is not possible to study in real time what happens in the real human airway, the researchers conducted their research on human airway cells grown in a culture. The cells were exposed to the particulate matter emitted in diesel and biodiesel exhaust fumes.

"Particulate matter is the burnt material, including carbon particles, emitted into the air. This particulate matter is part of biodiesel and diesel fumes but the particles produced from biodiesel were much less damaging to the cells than particles produced from diesel," Associate Professor Ackland explained.

"Our research found that the particulate matter from diesel exhaust stimulated a ‘death pathway’ response that the body uses to dispose of damaged cells. This response caused the airway cells to fuse together and die.

"We saw hardly any cell death after treatment with biodiesel particulates."

Associate Professor Ackland said that the results of the study provide support for calls to move towards replacing petrol and diesel with cleaner biofuels.

"It is clear that breathing in diesel fumes is going to have a far more detrimental effect on our health than biodiesel. Given the level of cell death we have found, diesel exhaust could be the cause of respiratory disorders such as asthma and could even be implicated in cancer," she said.

The study has been published in the lastest edition of the international journal Immunology and Cell Biology.

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Deakin University

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How diesel particulate filters virtually eliminate particulate matter from diesel and biodiesel fuels. Watch video.

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YouTube to the Environmental Rescue

The Scientist Magazine along with the University of Singapore are sending out a call to the global community of scientists for videos documenting environmental damage. Most people are aware of degradation and abuse to the environment, but little has been done by governments to create and enforce real change.

In an attempt to bring this issue to the awareness of world leaders, editors at The Scientist along with scientists from the National University of Singapore and the social video website YouTube, are joining forces to establish a “crowdsourcing experiment”. YouTube is dedicating an environmental damage channel where short videos can be posted documenting environmental abuse within a local region.

Their intention is that actual videos created throughout the world will have a strong, visual impact and move governments to make changes. By building a collection of videos, the project creators hope to provide a compelling snapshot of our world and the environmental effect caused by the refusal to take action.

Videos posted to YouTube’s Save the Planet channel can range in topic from the effects of pollution, loss of habitat, environmentally unfriendly activities or damaging behavior towards a species.

Richard Gallagher, editor of The Scientist explains, "The visual image has always been a catalyst for awareness. The problem with global environmental damage is the effects are often far away from the source, making it easy to avoid the problem. The more videos posted, the more the public can learn about the problems at hand, and the more that governments will find it difficult to ignore the need to act any longer."

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MarketWire
The Scientist Magazine
YouTube Save the Planet

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High Pollution Affecting Children in Mexico City

According to researchers in Mexico, children who are chronically exposed to higher levels of air pollution show marked deficiencies in lung growth and function.

"Our study revealed significant deficits in lung function growth in children with long-term exposure to air pollutants,” wrote Isabelle Romieu, M.D., M.P.H., lead author of the study. "In addition to the important impact of lung health, early lung deficits may increase the risk of developing chronic obstructive lung disease later in life, as well as cardiovascular morbidity and general mortality.

These conclusions are the result of a three-year, multi-site prospective study that measured lung function growth in 3,170 eight-year-old children at 39 schools in Mexico City and analyzed it with respect to the children’s exposure to common urban pollutants: ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter under 10 μm (PM10).

Dr. Romieu, of the Instituto Nacional de Salud Publico in Mexico, and eight colleagues reported their findings in the second issue for August of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, published by the American Thoracic Society.

Previous studies have found that short-term exposure to pollutants is associated with acute but reversible deficits in lung function, but the effects of long-term exposure, like that experienced by residents of heavily polluted urban environments, had not been conclusively characterized.

Although all measurements of lung function increased over time, the researchers found that higher exposure to O3, NO2 and PM10 was significantly associated with growth deficits.

“At the beginning of the study and at each phase of follow-up, children exposed to lower O3 and PM10 concentrations had better lung function values that children exposed to higher concentrations,” wrote the researchers.

The study could not determine the mechanism by which pollutants change lung growth, but other studies have found differences in lung morphology related to O3 exposure, and suggested that chronic exposure to PM and O3 may be associated with small airway disease.

Recently, oxidative stress from oxidant compounds, including O3, NO2 and PM has been identified as a potential cause of an inflammatory response, which could then lead to chronic lung damage. The reversibility of the damage is unclear, but the authors note that previous studies have reported long-term deficits in lung function associated with air pollutants.

“Although we could not identify specific sources [of the pollutants], the effect is likely to be due to vehicular exhaust,” wrote the researchers, concluding that “there is a clear need for stricter air pollution measures in Mexico City to protect lung growth in children living there.”

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Newswise

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How to reduce particulate matter from diesel engines using diesel particulate filters.

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Air Pollution News Bites: 08-02-07

- A recent study estimates that demand for air pollution control products in China will increase by 18 percent each year through 2010. The increase is attributed to the Chinese government’s plan to increase the purchase of air pollution control technology and new legislation concerning strict environmental protection regulations. Products in demand by China include: electrostatic precipitators, baghouse systems, particulate filters, and catalysts.

- A new analysis studying atmospheric “brown clouds” hovering over Asia, have concluded that the buildup of greenhouse gases mainly due to the burning of fossil fuels, is a major contributor to the melting of tropical glaciers such as those found in the Himalayans. Researchers found that combining the heating effect of greenhouse gases and the elements found in brown clouds, such as soot, heightens the effect of global warming.

"The conventional thinking is that brown clouds have masked as much as 50 percent of global warming by greenhouse gases through so-called global dimming," said atmospheric chemist V. Ramanathan. "While this is true globally, this study reveals that over southern and eastern Asia, the soot particles in the brown clouds are in fact amplifying the atmospheric warming trend caused by greenhouse gases by as much as 50 percent."

He went on to state, "It is likely that in curbing greenhouse gases we can tackle the twin challenges of climate change and brown clouds, and in doing so, reap wider benefits--from reduced air pollution to improved agricultural yields."

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MarketWire
National Science Foundation

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How to reduce particulate pollution by using diesel particulate filters

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Air Pollution Linked to Clogged Arteries

Got high cholesterol? You might want to stay away from air pollution.

That’s the message of a new UCLA study linking diesel exhaust to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which significantly increases one’s risk for heart attack and stroke. Published in the July 26 edition of the online journal Genome Biology, the findings are the first to explain how fine particles in air pollution conspire with artery-clogging fats to switch on the genes that cause blood vessel inflammation and lead to cardiovascular disease.

“When you add one plus one, it normally totals two,” said principal investigator Dr. André Nel, chief of nanomedicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a researcher at UCLA’s California NanoSystems Institute. “But we found that adding diesel particles to cholesterol fats equals three. Their combination creates a dangerous synergy that wreaks cardiovascular havoc far beyond what’s caused by the diesel or cholesterol alone.”

The researchers set up a scenario to investigate the interaction between diesel exhaust particles and the fatty acids found in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol — the “bad” type of cholesterol that leads to artery blockage.

In particular, the team was interested in how oxidation — cell and tissue damage resulting from exposure to molecules known as free radicals — contributes to inflammation and artery disease. Free radicals enter the body through small particles present in polluted air and are also byproducts of normal processes, such as the metabolic conversion of food into energy.

“Diesel particles are coated in chemicals containing free radicals, and the fatty acids in LDL cholesterol generate free radicals during metabolism in the cells,” said first author Ke Wei Gong, a UCLA cardiology researcher. “We wanted to measure what happens when these two sources of oxidation come into contact.”

The scientists combined the pollutants and oxidized fats and cultured them with cells from the inner lining of human blood vessels. A few hours later, the team extracted DNA from the cells for genetic analysis.

“We saw that the diesel particles and oxidized fats had worked in tandem to activate the genes that promote cellular inflammation — a major risk factor for atherosclerosis,” said Dr. Jesus Araujo, UCLA assistant professor of medicine and director of environmental cardiology at the Geffen School of Medicine.

“The interaction left a genetic footprint that reveals how interaction between the particles and cholesterol accelerates the narrowing and blockage of the blood vessels,” Araujo noted.

To duplicate these findings in living cells, the UCLA team exposed mice with high cholesterol to the diesel particles and saw activation of some of the same gene groups in the animals’ tissue.

“Exactly how air pollutants cause cardiovascular injury is poorly understood,” Nel said.

“But we do know that these particles are coated with chemicals that damage tissue and cause inflammation of the nose and lungs. Vascular inflammation in turn leads to cholesterol deposits and clogged arteries, which can give rise to blood clots that trigger heart attack or stroke.”

The researchers’ next step will be to convert the genes’ responses to the pollutant-cholesterol combination into a biomarker that will enable physicians to easily evaluate air pollution’s effect on health, especially cardiovascular disease.

“Once a biomarker is developed, we’d simply need to test a blood sample in order to measure a person’s exposure to particulate matter and determine whether it has reached levels that require medical intervention,” Araujo said.

The American Cancer Society has reported a 6 percent increase in heart- and lung-related deaths for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter rise in particulates.

“Our results emphasize the importance of controlling air pollution as another tool for preventing cardiovascular disease,” Gong said.

See the Source:
Newswise

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More about diesel air pollution.

air pollution
diesel pollution

The Dirt on Diesels

Cleaning up dirty diesels isn’t easy, but there are technologies available and new ones in the works which will reduce ozone-forming air pollution emitted from diesel engines in the form of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Because diesel cars and trucks are actually 30% more fuel efficient than vehicles fueled by gasoline, thereby burning less fuel, they can actually be better for the environment if their emissions are cleaned up using diesel particulate filters (to reduce particulate matter) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR).

In an effort to bring more innovative, fuel efficient clean diesel vehicles to the American marketplace, the EPA has issued a set of guidelines on emission certification procedures for on-road diesels that use SCR technology.

SCR reduces NOx in emissions by using a specially coated catalyst with a “reducing agent” such as ammonia or urea to turn NOx into harmless nitrogen and water.

According to the EPA, manufacturers of SCR technology will need to gain approval according to the guidelines in order to receive verification from the EPA. The technologies must take into account driver warning systems and inducement, system durability and reliability, and reducing agent quality and availability.

See the Source:
EPA – March 27, 2007

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More about low-temp selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology from CleanAIR Systems

Cummins Announces Approval of B20 Biodiesel Blends

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--March 21, 2007--Cummins Inc. today announced the approval of biodiesel B20 blends for use in its 2002 and later emissions-compliant ISX, ISM, ISL, ISC and ISB engines. This includes the recently released 2007 products.

Cummins is able to upgrade its previous position on the use of biodiesel fuel, which limited the use to B5 blends only, up to B20 for three key reasons. First, the American Society of Testing Materials specification ASTM D6751 now includes an important stability specification for B100 biodiesel. Second, the availability of quality fuels from BQ-9000 Certified Marketers and Accredited Producers is growing rapidly; and third, Cummins has completed the necessary testing and evaluations to ensure that customers can reliably operate their equipment with confidence using B20 fuel.

“We have completed exhaustive analysis and test evaluations which enable Cummins to provide the necessary guidance and information to our customers for the proper and successful use of this fuel in our engine,” said Edward Lyford-Pike, Chief Engineer – Advanced Alternative Fuel Programs. “This will enable our customers to have a choice that includes renewable fuel.”

The popularity and use of biodiesel fuel continues to climb. Recent studies predict that, by 2008, 1.2 billion gallons of B100 biodiesel will be produced in the United States. Cummins will continue its efforts to ensure that future products will be compatible with biodiesel fuels, and will continue to participate in industry efforts aimed at the development of consistent quality throughout the biodiesel industry.

Further information about the use of biodiesel for both on-highway and off-highway Cummins products can be found on the Web at everytime.cummins.com.

Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (USA), Cummins serves customers in more than 160 countries through its network of 550 company-owned and independent distributor facilities and more than 5,000 dealer locations. Cummins reported net income of $715 million on sales of $11.4 billion in 2006.

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Cummins, Inc.

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About diesel particulate filters from CleanAIR Systems that reduce biodiesel emissions

First Batch of EPA Testing Shows Nonroad Diesel Equipment Meets Tough New Pollution Limits

EPA has finished the initial batch of emissions testing for construction, agricultural and industrial diesel-powered engines to confirm that results supplied by engine manufacturers are accurate. This milestone marks the start of a series of "confirmatory" emissions testing to ensure that these nonroad diesel engines meet the requirements of EPA's Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Fuel as early as 2008. EPA has conducted confirmatory testing on cars for decades.

All nonroad diesel engines tested at EPA's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory during the initial round met their expected emissions limits. The second round of emissions testing is scheduled to begin this spring.

Nonroad diesel engine testing is a part of EPA's commitment to ensuring that the tremendous public health benefits of the Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Rule are achieved. Finalized in 2004, this landmark rule will lead to an estimated 12,000 fewer premature deaths annually and hundreds of thousands fewer incidences of respiratory problems at full implementation.

See the Source:
General information about nonroad diesel equipment

Find out:
How non-road diesel engines can meet EPA requirements by using diesel particulate filters

Exploring the Effects of Diesel Exposure on School Children

Millions of children rely on school buses for transportation. According to Clarkson University researcher Peter Jaques, "Those who commute in non-retrofitted, diesel-operated buses can be exposed to potentially harmful agents emitted from the exhaust, including carbonaceous ultrafine particles and diesel particulate matter (DPM), which have been linked to increases in upper-respiratory illnesses."

Jaques, assistant professor of biology; Alan Rossner, assistant professor and director of Clarkson's Environmental Health Science Program; Andrea Ferro, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering; and Stephanie Schuckers, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, are working to characterize diesel exposure in school buses and develop methods for measuring lung function and cardiopulmonary effects in children. Their pilot study, led by Jaques, is being funded with a grant from the Collaborative Activities for Research and Technology Information (CARTI) of the Center of Excellence (CoE) at Syracuse University.

In one part of the study the team is measuring the distribution of DPM throughout three empty buses during different modes of operation and under various conditions. The researchers expect the concentration levels to vary depending on such circumstances as seat location, whether windows are open or closed and if the bus is idling or in motion.

Additionally, the team is measuring the heart rate and respiration of 20 different third- and fourth-grade students on school buses throughout the day. Each student wears a LifeShirt TM, an elastic shirt worn under clothing that measures heart and respiratory rates and breathes into respiratory monitors that indicate lung inflammation.

"This gives us data we can later organize and analyze computationally," Rossner said. "We evaluate respiratory inflammation by measuring nitric oxide from exhaled breath at specific intervals, including before and after bus rides. Students also wear personal exposure monitors the size of a small backpack throughout the day."

The goal of this study is to develop techniques and a sufficient exposure database to use later in a more extensive study. The researchers hope their work will improve understanding of diesel exposure-related effects in children. They also hope to strengthen knowledge of the risks associated with exposure to DPM in buses, especially for children with asthma.

See the Source:
Clarkson University

Find out:
How to reduce diesel particulate matter using particulate filters

EPA awards $94,876 grant to American Lung Association for Chicago Clean School Bus project

CHICAGO (Feb. 15, 2007) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has awarded a $94,876 grant to the American Lung Association for a project to cut diesel emissions from school buses in the Chicago metropolitan area.

EPA said the grant will be used to retrofit 43 buses in school districts in Green Oaks, Mundelein, Grayslake and Ingleside with equipment that will reduce diesel emissions.

"Breathing diesel exhaust is not good for anyone, especially children with asthma," said Regional Administrator Mary A. Gade. "EPA is working with the American Lung Association to upgrade buses so students can breathe cleaner air and live healthier lives."

The grant is part of EPA's Clean School Bus USA program. The goal of the program is to reduce children's exposure to diesel exhaust and the amount of air pollution created by diesel school buses. School buses are the safest way for children to get to school. However, pollution from the diesel vehicles has health implications for everyone, especially children.

Launched in April 2003, Clean School Bus USA brings together partners from business, education, transportation and public health organizations to eliminate unnecessary school bus idling, to retrofit buses and to replace the oldest buses with new, less polluting buses.

Diesel emissions contain large amounts of nitrogen oxides and fine particles (soot). Nitrogen oxides are precursors of ozone (smog), which is a lung irritant, and fine particles can aggravate respiratory and heart diseases. Fine particles can also impact lung function and structure.

See the Source:
Clean School Bus USA

Find out:
How diesel emissions can be reduced using diesel oxidation catalysts

EPA awards $50,000 grant to Wisconsin Department of Commerce for Clean-Diesel project

CHICAGO (Feb. 15, 2007) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has awarded a $50,000 grant to the Wisconsin Department of Commerce for a project to cut emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks that operate in Wisconsin.

"Heavy duty trucks are the workhorses of our transportation economy," said EPA Region 5 Administrator Mary A. Gade. "This grant will help truckers reduce air pollution in the communities they serve."

EPA said the grant will be used to upgrade up to 25 trucks with emission reduction equipment. Cost per truck ranges from about $2,000 for diesel oxidation catalysts to about $12,000 for diesel particulate filters.

The grant is part of Region 5's Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative, a collaboration of federal, state and local agencies, along with communities, non-profit organizations and private companies working together to reduce emissions from diesel engines in the Midwest. MCDI estimates there are more than 3 million engines in the Midwest that would benefit from new pollution-reduction technology.

The retrofits will complement the state's idle reduction grant program that provides funds to install an alternative source of power to heat, cool or provide electricity to the cab or other parts of the truck. This lets the trucker shut down the main engine to save fuel and cut diesel emissions.

Diesel emissions contain large amounts of nitrogen oxides and fine particles (soot). Nitrogen oxides are precursors of ground-level ozone (smog), which is a lung irritant, and fine particles can aggravate respiratory and heart diseases. Fine particles can also impact lung function and structure.

More information on MCDI is at http://www.epa.gov/midwestcleandiesel/.

See the Source:
EPA

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About retrofitting diesel vehicles with diesel oxidation catalyst and diesel particulate filters

Los Angeles County Ports Issue RFP for Emissions-Reducing LNG Trucks

RFP Workshop Slated for February 20th at the Port of Los Angeles

SAN PEDRO, Calif.--(February 15)--The San Pedro Bay ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach -- the nation’s two leading containerports -- have issued a joint Request for Proposals (RFP) to seek qualified applicants for a new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Truck Program. The effort is a component of the milestone San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan approved last November. An LNG-powered truck fleet could help the world’s fifth largest port complex reduce particulate matter (PM) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by 80 to 90 percent.

Financial incentives through this Program will fund up to a maximum of $144,000 per truck. The Program is open to fleets of any size, including independent operators.

Proposals will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. on March 19, 2007, and an applicant workshop will be held February 20, 2007, at the Port of Los Angeles Administration Building, 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro, CA, 90731. Detailed information and proposal requirements are available on the Port’s website at www.portoflosangeles.org.

“Replacing the thousands of dirty diesel trucks that call at our ports on a daily basis is a major component of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan,” said Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D., executive director at the Port of Los Angeles. “Nearly 22,000 truck trips occur at the port complex in a single day, and the more we can do to make sure these are clean, non-polluting trucks, the better it is for all of us. No port in the world has committed to a project like this – and in Southern California, you have two ports sharing a commitment to significantly reduce port-related air pollution by implementing fleet programs which promote LNG, electric and clean diesel technologies.”

Under the LNG Truck Program, heavy-duty diesel trucks older than 1989 would be scrapped and replaced with a 2006 model year, or newer, heavy-duty LNG truck. The Ports have allocated a total of $8 million each to the project, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District has allocated $6 million, for a total of $22 million for the LNG Truck Program.

All vehicles funded under the LNG Truck Program are required to have electronic monitoring units with global positioning system capability installed prior to delivery of the vehicle, and verification must be provided to the Port of Los Angeles prior to releasing the vehicle. The minimum requirements to receive the maximum award under the Program include 48,000 annual miles with at least 75% of these miles occurring within the South Coast Air Quality Basin, and trucks must make at least seven trips to the Ports per week. Contract term will be a minimum of three years.

This RFP does not cover the costs for fuel, maintenance, infrastructure, or consultant services. Specifics on the gross vehicle weight rating, engine parameters, tilting, maintenance, insurance, electronic monitoring unit, warranty and vehicle scrapping are found in the RFP, which is available at http://www.portoflosangeles.org/.

Under the LNG Truck Program RFP, applicants are required to secure their own fueling through construction of a fueling station on fleet property or through an agreement with an independent mobile fuel provider. A related RFP is currently being issued by the Ports seeking construction of a centralized LNG fueling and maintenance facility; however, this facility will not be in place before the operation of the LNG Truck Program begins. For more information on the San Pedro Bay Ports LNG Truck Program RFP, please contact Kevin Maggay at (310) 732-3947 or kmaggay@portla.org.

Celebrating its Centennial in 2007, the Port of Los Angeles is America's premier port. As the leading seaport in the nation in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates 259,000 regional jobs and $8.4 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is self-supporting and does not receive taxpayer dollars. At the Port of Los Angeles, high priority is placed on responsible and sustainable growth initiatives, combined with high security, environmental stewardship and community outreach. For its industry leading environmental initiatives, the Port received two Environmental Protection Agency awards in 2006. The Port of Los Angeles – A Cleaner Port. A Brighter Future.

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The Port of Los Angeles

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More about reducing emissions on off- and on-road diesel vehicles using the CleanAIR PERMIT Filter

Court Ruling Protects Mine Workers against Diesel Pollution

PITTSBURGH--(February 12)--News From USW: An appeals court has ruled that standards set by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration for reducing diesel particulate pollution were reasonable in a case that the United Steelworkers joined to protect its mineworker members.

A three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia rejected every argument against the pollution standards made by the National Mine Association, the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association and several mine operators.

“It’s a hands down victory for the safety of our members and thousands of other miners,” said Michael Wright, USW Director of Health, Safety and Environment. “This decision was a rebuff of the mining companies and the mining associations,” he added.

The regulations will limit miners’ exposure to the tiny particles in the diesel fuel emissions from trucks and heavy equipment that operate underground in metal mines, such as those for gold, and non-metal mines, such as those for limestone. The rules do not affect coal mines, which are subject to a different regulation. The USW represents more metal and non-metal miners in North America than any other union.

MSHA issued the standards because the tiny particles have been linked to lung cancer, respiratory problems and eye irritation.

The court decision, written by Judge David B. Sentelle, and joined by Chief Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg and Senior Judge Harry T. Edwards, affects 16,000 workers at 256 mines across the country. Before the regulations took effect on an interim basis, miners toiled in conditions that Wright said were “like working inside the tailpipe of a city bus.”
The mine operators and industry groups filed suit to prevent implementation of the regulations, contending MSHA did not have sufficient evidence that the tiny particles endangered workers’ health, that MSHA shouldn’t have used a substitute substance to measure the particles and that it simply was infeasible for mines to meet the MSHA limit deadlines.

The USW filed a brief seeking enforcement of the regulations, which put the union in the unusual position of supporting a Bush Administration agency, Wright noted.
The court found that all of the mine industry arguments were without merit, which means the regulations will take effect over the next 15 months.

MSHA proposed the first set of rules on Jan. 19, 2001 after conducting a risk assessment that determined miners were exposed to very high levels of diesel particles that jeopardized their health.

Because diesel exhaust contains many different substances, MSHA based its limitation on a measure of carbon. The court said that was reasonable because carbon accounts for the bulk of the tiny particles.

The first set of regulations limited carbon concentrations and were to take full effect by January of 2006. MSHA offered numerous suggestions to mine operators for curtailing the particles, including exhaust filters, improved ventilation systems, low-emission engines and low sulfur fuels.

MSHA changed the rules several times over the next five years, trying to appease industry representatives who were unhappy with the carbon measure. Finally, in May 2006, MSHA proposed that mines reduce carbon exposure over time until a final standard was met in May 2008. In addition, MSHA gave companies a break, saying they could get an extra year to comply. And, it said, if mines found it impossible to limit particulates, they could give workers respirators.

Despite all of that, mining companies and industry groups then filed suit calling the rules capricious. The court disagreed.

It said that although the carbon measure wasn’t perfect, it didn’t need to be. It was only necessary that it be realistic, and it was. It said the science MSHA used to determine that the particulates were dangerous was sound. And it said the mine operators’ contention that they just couldn’t comply on time was unreasonable because MSHA had offered the extra year as well as the respirator solution.

Mine operators also objected to MSHA requiring them to give physicals to workers to see if they could tolerate respirators, which sometimes cause excessive stress. And they complained that MSHA required them to transfer workers when a doctor determined a respirator would be hazardous to their health.

As with everything else, however, the court ruled against the operators.
The industry may seek another hearing of the case before the same panel or could ask the U.S. Supreme Court to take the case.

See the Source:
MSHA

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How CleanAIR’s diesel particulate filters help keep miners safe by reducing particulate matter by greater than 85% and MSHA’s test results for the CleanAIR PERMIT FBC Filter in mines.

Railroad Industry's First Exhaust Catalyst Being Tested in Los Angeles

Omaha, Neb., January 17, 2007 – Union Pacific is beginning a year-long field test in the Los Angeles area of the rail industry’s first long-haul diesel electric locomotive modified with "after market" experimental technology aimed at reducing exhaust emissions.

"The testing and evaluation of this experimental exhaust technology emphasizes Union Pacific’s voluntary efforts to go beyond compliance in exploring new technologies that could reduce emissions," said Bob Grimaila, Union Pacific's vice president-environment and safety. "We have and will continue to work hard to build the most environmentally friendly locomotive fleet in North America and we are committed to protecting our environment by reducing emissions."

An experimental "oxidation catalyst" filtering canister, or "oxicat," was installed inside the diesel engine’s exhaust manifold. The special catalytic material chemically reduces the amount of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter generated by the diesel engine, much like a catalytic converter on today’s cars and trucks.

The diesel engine has been outfitted with various sensors that can be remotely monitored with Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology. Remote "real-time" monitoring capabilities help researchers evaluate how the experimental oxidation catalyst is functioning. Its emissions performance and the maintenance requirements for the locomotive will be assessed at the end of the one-year test period.

The National Vehicle Fuels and Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is funding most of the "oxidation catalyst" test.

The locomotive was subjected to EPA locomotive standards testing before and after the "oxidation catalyst" was installed, using standard EPA "locomotive certification" fuel and "ultra-low sulfur diesel" (ULSD) fuel that UP is now using for intrastate locomotives in California.

The standing, or static, test results were:
- Using ULSD fuel without the oxidation catalyst installed dropped particulate emissions by about 4 percent compared to the use of standard EPA diesel fuel.
- Using ULSD fuel with the oxidation catalyst installed reduced particulate emissions by approximately 50 percent, unburned hydrocarbons by 38 percent and carbon monoxide by 82 percent.

During this initial testing, the 17-year-old locomotive met the latest EPA "Tier 2" new locomotive requirements for particulate matter. The EPA’s Tier 2 requirements are for new locomotives manufactured since January 1, 2005.

Union Pacific has also begun a year-long field test in Oakland of the North America rail industry’s first experimental after-market exhaust system filter to determine if it will reduce diesel engine emissions in older locomotives used in rail yards.

Union Pacific’s "Green" Fleet
Currently, about 50 percent of Union Pacific’s more than 8,500-unit locomotive fleet is certified under existing EPA Tier 0, Tier 1 or Tier 2 regulations governing air emissions. That gives Union Pacific the most environmentally friendly locomotive fleet in the nation.

Union Pacific has tested, and is acquiring, two types of environmentally friendly low-horsepower rail yard locomotives:
- The Genset locomotive is powered by three 700-horsepower low-emissions EPA non-road Tier 3-certified diesel engines projected to reduce emissions of both nitrous oxides and particulate matter by up to 80 percent, while using as much as 16 percent less fuel compared to current low-horsepower locomotives.

- The Green Goat uses state-of-the-art diesel-battery hybrid-technology designed to cut air emissions by 80 percent and reduce diesel fuel use by 16 percent compared to conventional diesel-powered locomotives used in switching service. The hybrid switcher is powered with large banks of batteries. When energy stored in the batteries is depleted to a pre-set level, a small, low-emission diesel engine automatically starts to power a generator that recharges the batteries.

It is anticipated that these switching locomotives will receive California Air Resources Board (CARB) recognition as Ultra-Low Emitting Locomotives (ULEL), in addition to exceeding the EPA’s stringent Locomotive Tier 2 standards. These ULELs are a direct result of Union Pacific’s efforts to encourage development of ever-cleaner technology by its locomotive suppliers. The ultra-low emissions of these locomotives will help Union Pacific meet its commitment to CARB to reduce its fleet average nitrous oxide emissions inside the South Coast Nonattainment Area by 2010.

CARB Memorandum of Understanding
In addition to the emission reductions that the Tier 0, 1 and 2, Genset and Green Goat locomotives will achieve, a June 30, 2005, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among CARB, Union Pacific and BNSF Railway will further reduce diesel emissions in and around the state’s rail yards. The important agreement calls for reductions that will be greater and quicker than any that could have resulted from regulatory processes.

This was the second significant agreement of this type. The first one was signed in 1998 and covered nitrous oxide emissions (NOx) from locomotives. Under the first agreement, NOx levels from locomotives will be reduced by 67 percent in the South Coast Nonattainment Area. The June 2005 agreement represents the next logical step in the process and will reduce particulate matter emissions statewide.

CARB has estimated the MOU will reduce particulate emissions by approximately 20 percent at rail yards by June 2008 when all the program’s elements are phased in. Union Pacific expects to spend more than $20 million implementing the program.

About Union Pacific
Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America’s leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country and serves the fastest-growing U.S. population centers. Union Pacific’s diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad offers competitive long-haul routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways. Union Pacific connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico, making it North America’s premier rail franchise.

The statements and information contained in the news releases provided by Union Pacific speak only as of the date issued. Such information by its nature may become outdated, and investors should not assume that the statements and information contained in Union Pacific's news releases remain current after the date issued. Union Pacific makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information.

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Union Pacific

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More about diesel oxidation catalysts and how they reduce carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulate.

All Major Manufacturers Receive Approval For Emissions-Slashing Technology

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ — The Diesel Technology Forum today announced that all major heavy-duty truck and engine manufacturers have met new Environmental Protection Agency standards for emissions cuts and have been certified by EPA for full production.

The new big rigs are equipped with innovative new particulate matter filters that trap emissions and result in 2007 trucks being 90 percent cleaner than the previous generation of trucks. Nitrogen oxide emissions have also been reduced significantly with new technology.

“With the government certification of heavy-duty trucks now official, we can celebrate another milestone in the clean diesel transformation,” said Forum executive director Allen Schaeffer. “The nationwide availability of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel in October 2006 provided 97 percent cleaner diesel fuel, enabling manufacturers to engineer the cleanest diesel trucks ever. With government certifications officially recognizing the success of the new diesel engines in drastically cutting emissions, all Americans can celebrate a stunning clean air achievement. Truck and engine makers stepped up to the challenge, and now we’ve all met it.”

Manufacturers now certified by the EPA include Caterpillar, Cummins, Detroit Diesel Corp., International, Mack and Volvo, meaning each is compliant with the most stringent diesel emissions standards in the world. The EPA predicts that these new trucks — once they fully replace the existing fleet — will reduce emissions of smog-forming gases by 2.6 million tons each year, and cut soot emissions by 110,000 tons annually.

“America’s long-haul truckers can be confident in the reliability and durability of these engines,” Schaeffer added. “The technology on these trucks has been engineered through millions of miles of testing, which has shown the performance, fuel economy and durability required to not only meet but exceed customer expectations.”

Because 94 percent of goods are shipped via diesel trucks, consumers can soon expect that many products they see on store shelves will be delivered by the advanced technology trucks.

The Diesel Technology Forum is a partner in the Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance (www.clean-diesel.org), a resource on technical issues relating to the new cleaner fuel and engine technology.

The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the economic importance and environmental progress of diesel engines and equipment. Forum members represent the three parts of the modern clean diesel system: advanced engines, cleaner diesel fuel and effective emissions control systems.

See the Source:
Diesel Technology Forum

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About diesel particulate filters and converters for on and off-road trucks.

EPA Kicks Off Midwest Clean Diesel Leadership Program

CHICAGO, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 hosted the first meeting of its Midwest Clean Diesel Leadership Group today in Chicago. The group of 32 public-sector and private- industry organizations shares the goal of cutting emissions from one million diesel engines in the region by 2010.

The Leadership Group is co-chaired by Cummins Inc., Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio Environmental Council and EPA Region 5.

"EPA helped form the Leadership Group to accelerate efforts toward cleaner air," said EPA Region 5 Administrator Mary A. Gade. "Cleaning up diesel emissions in this country will take a concerted, collaborative effort of public and private organizations, and this group will bring greater visibility, energy and resources to this effort."

"From schoolchildren to truck drivers, millions of Americans are exposed everyday to dangerous emissions from America's aging fleet of diesel-powered vehicles and heavy equipment," said Staci R. Putney McLennan, director of clean air programs at the Ohio Environmental Council. "The good news is that cost-effective pollution-control technologies are available. We look forward to collaborating with industry and government representatives to tackle this important challenge."

"We look forward to sharing the strategies and approaches we have used in Illinois with our colleagues from other Midwestern states," said Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott. "We are also interested in learning about strategies others have found effective, as well as how we all can maximize the clean air benefits from the ongoing technological advances."

"This initiative is about fostering a collaborative environment where we all work together for cleaner communities," said Brian Mormino, director of government relations for Cummins Inc. "Cummins is pleased to step forward with our public and private partners to lead this effort. We have made a significant investment to meet EPA's emissions standards for new engines and know that we can accomplish much more by leveraging our relationships to address those already in operation today."

EPA created the Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative to reduce emissions from older, existing diesel engines not covered by EPA's stringent standards for cleaner fuels and new, cleaner engines. MCDI estimates that more than 3 million diesel engines in the Midwest would benefit from the use of cleaner fuels and idle-reduction and diesel-retrofit technologies and strategies. These include rebuilding, re-powering, replacing, refueling and retrofitting these engines with emission control devices. Already, the public-private partnership has undertaken more than $30 million in projects, affecting 350,000 engines, and reducing air pollution by more than 3.5 million pounds per year.

Diesel emissions contain large amounts of nitrogen oxides and fine particles (soot). Nitrogen oxides are precursors of ozone (smog), which is a lung irritant, and fine particles can aggravate respiratory and heart diseases. EPA has found that fine particles from diesel engines are a leading public health risk in the Midwest.

Quotes from the Midwest Clean Diesel Leadership Group

“New clean diesel technology completely changes the way people view diesel. The Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative is taking the lead to increase the adoption of clean diesel technologies to dramatically reduce emissions by 90 percent in older trucks and buses.”
Patrick Charbonneau, Vice President of Government Relations International Truck and Engine Corporation

“We are pleased and honored to be a part of this group and share its focus on partnership and real, measurable environmental and health outcomes for the region. This kind of recognition and support by EPA is especially critical for Minnesota proactively to stay ahead of air quality problems and to comply with all federal air quality standards. We applaud EPA's foresight and dedication in launching this comprehensive effort to address a major regional air quality problem like diesel emissions.”
Bill Droessler, Clean Air Minnesota Director Minnesota Environmental Initiative

“As the crossroads of America, Indiana has a significant interest in improving air quality while facilitating the increased movement of goods necessary for our growing economy. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is honored to be part of the Midwest Clean Diesel Leadership Group. The initiative is an excellent example of a public/private partnership to harness the power of the marketplace to improve both the economy and the environment in Indiana and the entire Midwest.”
Thomas Easterly, Commissioner Indiana Department of Environmental Management

“Our partners are making a difference in the Midwest in improving the quality of life by reducing air pollution.”
Carl Lisek, South Shore Clean Cities Inc.

“The diesel industry is proud to be an active participant in the Midwest Clean Diesel Leadership Group. The diversity of supporters stepping forward to join together for this program speaks volumes about the universal agreement that cleaner diesel means cleaner air for all of us, and the industry is committed to doing its part. Opportunities for upgrading the existing diesel fleet are now greater than ever, and diesel retrofit programs have proven time and again to be one of the most cost-effective ways we can reduce diesel emissions, help improve air quality and promote environmental progress.”
Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director Diesel Technology Forum

“The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recognizes the importance of cleaning up diesel emissions and working in partnership with businesses and stakeholders to voluntarily reduce diesel emissions with a number of actions. As a state focused on maintaining attainment of air quality standards, strategic partnerships are the focus for gaining air quality improvement. For example, as a major partner along with several businesses and stakeholder groups, the MPCA helped establish, promote and support Clean Air Minnesota's Project Green Fleet which will retrofit 500 diesel school buses, reducing harmful particulates 30 percent by the end of 2007.”
David Thornton, Assistant Commissioner for Air Policy Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

“Continuing to release harmful diesel particulate matter into the air when available, cost-effective technologies can nearly eliminate this environmental health problem is unacceptable. The American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago is pleased to join the Midwest Clean Diesel Group in its efforts to quickly reduce soot pollution in order to protect the most vulnerable populations: children with developing lungs, the elderly and those suffering from pulmonary diseases.”
Brian Urbaszewski, Director of Environmental Health Programs American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago

“The American Lung Association supports the advancement and promotion of cleaner traditional and alternative fuels because the reduction in toxic petroleum components is good for lung health and the environment.”
Harold Wimmer, President and CEO
American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest

See the Source:
EPA – Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative

Find out:
How soot and fine particulate matter can be substantially reduced with CleanAIR diesel particulate filters.

From the MASSPIRG 2007 Legislative Agenda

Cleaning up Diesel Pollution

Each year diesel pollution in Massachusetts is responsible for more than 450 premature deaths, 700 non-fatal heart attacks, 9,900 asthma attacks, and 60,000 work loss days. Pollution control equipment and cleaner fuels can reduce deadly fine particle pollution by up to 90%. Massachusetts should establish aggressive programs to dramatically reduce pollution from existing diesel engines.

MASSPIRG:
• Supports An Act to Reduce Diesel Pollution (Sen. Hart, Rep. Rivera) legislation to achieve a reduction in diesel particulate matter pollution of 75% in key fleets by 2010, and 75% overall by 2020, (in conjunction with the new federal diesel engine rules,) in order to protect public health, prevent global warming pollution, and reduce serious economic and environmental threats .

About MASSPIRG Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG) is an advocate for the public interest. MASSPIRG’s mission is to deliver persistent, result-oriented activism that protects the environment, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, democratic government.

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How CleanAIR diesel particulate filters reduce fine particle pollution by over 85% from diesel emissions.

Digging Up Trouble!

A health report released on December 6th by the Union of Concerned Scientists states the health impact in California related to emissions from diesel construction equipment.

Digging Up Trouble: The Health Risks of Construction Pollution

- Premature Deaths 1,132
- Respiratory Hospitalizations 669
- Cardiovascualr Hospitalizations 417
- Asthma and Other Lower Respiratory Symptoms 30,118
- Acute Bronchitis 2,494
- Lost Work Days 182,940
- Minor Restricted Activity Days 1,544,952
- School Absences 331,040

Total Annual Cost $9,140,480

From the report:

The impact of construction pollution on public health is greatest where
equipment and people mix, and 90 percent of the health and economic damage
occurs in California’s five most populous air basins:

- The South Coast air basin (which encompasses most of Los Angeles, Orange,
Riverside, and San Bernardino counties) ranks first with more than 700 premature
deaths and more than 1,000 hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular
illness annually.

- The San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego follow, with more than 150 and 89
premature deaths, respectively, every year.

- The San Joaquin Valley and Sacramento Valley (the two largest air basins in
California’s Central Valley) round out the top five with 49 and 39 annual premature deaths, respectively.

Report Analyzes Construction Pollution Impact in California

Newswise — In California, pollution from construction equipment in 2005 was responsible for an estimated 1,132 premature deaths, nearly 183,000 lost work days, 1,086 hospitalizations, and $9.1 billion dollars in annual costs, according to a new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). Nine out of every ten construction-related health effects in California have occurred in the state’s five most populated air basins.

“Construction pollution is taking a heavy toll on the health of all Californians,” said Don Anair, author of the report and a Clean Vehicles Engineer in UCS’s Berkeley, California office. “Construction equipment being used to build our hospitals shouldn’t be responsible for filling them up.”

The report, Digging up Trouble: the Health Risks of Construction Pollution in California, is the first to quantify the consequences of construction pollution on California’s health and economy. The methodology, based on established government methods, is conservative and does not represent all potential damage associated with diesel pollution.

The study includes regional analyses of Construction Risk Zones in the five areas most affected by construction pollution. UCS researchers combined city population densities with a statewide database of construction permits to identify the Risk Zones, areas where the presence of construction activity significantly raises the risk of exposure to pollution.

Lagging engine standards and long equipment life make construction equipment one of the largest sources of diesel pollution in the state. Today, the average excavator emits in one hour as much particle matter as a new big rig tractor-trailer traveling 1,100 miles. The Environmental Protection Agency adopted emissions standards for new engines in 2004, but benefits from federal regulations will not be fully realized until some time after 2030 because construction equipment lasts for decades.

Phasing out the oldest, most polluting equipment, installing new engines and retrofitting other engines with clean technologies could significantly reduce diesel emissions. California’s Air Resources Board is developing a regulatory measure to cut diesel emissions from existing construction equipment, but the construction industry is resisting such rules.

“Reducing diesel engine pollution is one of the most cost-effective strategies for cleaning up the air, with benefits outweighing the costs by a factor of ten-to-one” Anair said. “But equipment owners need a push to start investing in clean, affordable technology available today to reduce costly construction pollution.”