Clean Diesel: Public Health Nightmare

[michael edward badolato jr]

Links

MCS aa Etiology: Not Always Visible

MCS ab Etiology: Particulate Vector

MCS aj Etiology: Impossibly Good

Diesel exhaust - among the worst of combustion byproducts - is a principle driving force behind autism, Parkinsons, Alzheimers, MCS, and brain tumors.

First battlefield machines, semi trucks, and construction equipment - next school buses and delivery vehicles - and now diesel engines are promoted for pickup trucks, SUV's and cars - threatening to further the epidemic.

Reduction in PM (particulate matter) - the clean diesel promotion - concerns mostly coarse particles - the finest particles are not addressed - also possess hydrocarbons - and penetrate into the CNS.

 

Zielinska 2004 had SO4 2- (sulfate)  almost 22, NO3 2.5,  and total PM 10-30 times higher in diesel exhaust compared to gasoline.

Even if there are claims of improvement in emissions - there is no safe level. Such reduction is like saying - my roommate smoked 10 cigarettes per day in the house - but now smokes only one - so life is good.

Biodiesel exhaust is only a slight shade less severe.

There is no safe level of combustion byproducts including diesel exhaust.

 

I can make the following informal comparison - giving average of gasoline engines in cars and trucks 1 times a value of harm:

Gasoline cars and trucks  1X

Diesel cars and trucks 20-30X

Gasoline 2 and 4 stroke engines of motorcycles, ATV's, and lawn equipment 30-50X

Smoke including residential wood, open burn, tobacco, and marijuana at least 100X

References

Zielinska B. et al. Emission rates and comparative chemical composition from selected in-use diesel and gasoline-fueled vehicles. Air Waste Mgt Assoc 54:1138-50 2004