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Old 02-05-2008, 08:03 PM   #30 (permalink)
cfg83
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tasdrouille -

Quote:
Originally Posted by tasdrouille View Post
That was true in the mechanical injection days. Diesels have long been way better than gassers in regards to greenhouse gasses due to the fact that they burn way leaner. With the new "clean" diesels, they're on par in regards to nox and particulates with better engine and fueling management systems, urea injection and diesel particulate filters.
I agree that clean diesel is good, but I still want more details on the technology and emissions performance. Classical lean-burn lowers HC and CO while increasing NOx. But don't forget that enablers like low-sulfur diesel fuel only recently became available in the USA. I don't think the urea-solution has been officially approved in the states. I am holding out more hope for the Honda clean-diesel solution, especially since it sounds like it has very tight emission monitoring systems.

Reading stuff like this makes me want reassurance that today's diesel is equal to gassers on emissions :

http://www.cseindia.org/aboutus/pres...s_20040123.htm
Quote:
Recent disclosures about the cancer risk from diesel fumes that our regulators, industry and buyers of diesel cars ignore

The US


* U.S. studies have concluded that diesel particulate matter is responsible for 70% - 89% of the total cancer risk caused by air pollution in the U.S. A study by Environment and Human Health Incorporated on children’s exposure to diesel particulate matter on school buses found that PM2.5 levels measured on school buses were often 5-10 times the levels recorded at monitoring sites, with the worst measurements recorded when school buses were idling to pick up and drop off children. Due to their smaller size, children breathe proportionately more air than adults – nearly 50% more per unit of body weight - further increasing their inhalation of diesel particulate matter. Because children’s organs and respiratory and immune systems are still developing, they may have increased sensitivity to diesel particulate matter. (Wargo, John, Children’s Exposure to Diesel Exhaust on School Buses, North Haven, CT: Environment and Human Health, Inc. 2002).

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