[Dad and Dotter]

An important measuring tool for diesel performance and emissions is the diesel smoke meter or opacity meter. It is a measurement of particulate pollution, a significant problem for us as an urban motive-power-using society.

The more I know, the more inclined I am to admit when I'm ignorant-- but as far as I can tell, an opacity meter is a chamber for diesel exhaust with a light on one side and a light meter on the other.

Light meters became affordable if not cheap in the 1960s and pretty darn accurate in the '80s and '90s.

Right now I have about zero-point-squat idea of what any government standards are for opacity meters, but I do know that we should be able to get before and after readings that would show any significant improvements.

If anyone knows anything about this, please go to the head of the class.

I'll update here as I learn.