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Diesel Exhaust Pollutants

Our health and the environment are negatively affected by dangerous pollutants resulting from burning diesel fuel. Implications range from headaches and itchy eyes to lung disease, cancer and premature death. Diesel exhaust produces carcinogens in the air and the formation of ozone. Because the EPA estimates that "every $1 spent on clean diesel projects produces up to $13 of public health benefits," clean diesel technologies are under development.

  1. Particulate Matter

    • Tiny particles of dust, soot and smoke, called particulate matter or particulates, are present in the air. Contaminated particulates from emissions are dangerous to our health. Soot, the result of burning diesel fuel, contains toxic hydrocarbons responsible for causing cancer and serious lung disease.

    Nitrogen Oxide Emissions

    • Nitrogen oxide emissions are the result of nitrogen and oxygen gases reacting during engine combustion. Ground level ozone, otherwise known as smog, and acid rain result from this reaction. Ozone leads to problems with lung function.

    Carbon Monoxide

    • Burning motor vehicle fuel results in exhaust containing carbon monoxide. This colorless, odorless and poisonous gas is difficult to detect and is deadly. Its presence in the bloodstream prohibits oxygen from being distributed throughout the body, leading to organ failure and death.

    Organic Compounds

    • Unburned fuel that evaporates during the burning process releases volatile organic compounds or VOCs. These pollutants are organic chemicals, thus they contain carbon. They vaporize ,contributing to ozone. VOCs affect the eyes and lungs and have been known to cause cancer. "Ground-level ozone is a pollutant that is a significant health risk, especially for children with asthma. It also damages crops, trees and other vegetation. It is a main ingredient of urban smog," according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

    Clean Diesel Technology

    • Clean diesel technology is an initiative targeting fuel, engines that burn it and emission control systems. Today's diesel fuels have lower sulfur content, resulting in finer tuned engines. Newer engine technology burns this cleaner fuel more efficiently and with more power. Particulate matter traps and catalytic converters convert the bad emissions into less harmful ingredients.

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