Reports and Studies

Reports and Studies: Environmental and Health Studies

Study Shows Additive Reduces NOx Emissions with Biodiesel The results of a new study indicate a reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from biodiesel is attainable. Biodiesel is known to reduce emissions of all regulated pollutants, with exception of NOx emissions. A new additive, designed by Clean Diesel Technologies (CDT), has shown as much as a 5% reduction in NOx emissions compared to No. 1 diesel fuel. The biodiesel blend consisted of 80% No. 1 diesel and 20% biodiesel, along with CDT's patented Platinum Plus fuel-borne catalyst. The study also showed a reduction of 23 percent particulates. According to James Valentine, President of CDT, the tested blend performed better than a commercial ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD) in reducing particulate matter (PM), NOx and carbon monoxide, and was close to the performance of ULSD in reducing hydrocarbon emissions. Additional testing will be needed to determine the effectiveness of the additive when blended with No. 2 diesel. For more information on the additive and the study, contact the National Biodiesel Board.

Ethanol Use Shown to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 2003 According to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the Argonne National Laboratory, the use of ethanol-blended fuels reduced carbon dioxide-equivalent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by approximately 5.7 million tons in the United States during 2003. This reduction is equivalent to removing the annual greenhouse gas emissions of more than 853,000 cars from the road. The reduction is based on the "carbon cycle" associated with ethanol production, with much of the greenhouse gas emissions released being absorbed by plants, like corn, grown for ethanol feedstocks. The benefits of ethanol also include the reduction in other harmful pollutants, rural economic development and increased energy security.

Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions and Natural Gas Vehicles: A Resource Guide on Technology Options and Project Development Provides information on quantifying and documenting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions from natural gas vehicle (NGV) projects and has information on NGV technology, cost and availability. The report has 121 pages including 46 pages of appendices.

New Regional Study Confirms Air Toxics Concern The public health risks from toxic air pollutants are a significant problem for our region, according to a draft final research report released by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. At least 70 percent of the toxic risk is attributable to diesel exhaust. The report confirms early results from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment (NATA), which show the Puget Sound region among the worst five percent in the nation for air toxics. 

EPA Releases Diesel Exhaust Health Assessment The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed the Health Assessment Document for Diesel Engine Exhaust. The Agency's assessment states that long-term exposure to diesel exhaust is likely to cause lung cancer. The document is available electronically through EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment's website, under the Publications menus. A limited number of CDs and paper copies are available from EPA’s National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP). To obtain copies, contact NSCEP at 1-800-490-9198.