Study: New clean-diesel technologies pose no significant health risk

Boston, Mass.-based Health Effects Institute (HEI) has released its final report of the multi-year Advanced Collaborative Emissions Study (ACES).

HEI conducted the independent study of new technology diesel engines to determine whether the engines achieved the expected emissions reductions, thereby improving air quality for public health. HEI also examined whether the new technologies resulted in any unintended increases in emission components. 

The study concluded that exposure to new technology diesel exhaust does not cause any increase in the risk of lung cancer or other significant adverse health effects in study animals.

“The significance of this study and its conclusions cannot be overstated,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, which issued the announcement. 

“The results verify the environmental benefits of the new clean diesel technology, which have near-zero emissions for nitrogen oxides (NO_x), hydrocarbons (HC) and particulate matter (PM). While this study focused on heavy-duty truck emissions, the new clean diesel technology has the potential for impacting all sectors, including passenger cars, agriculture, construction, maritime and transportation.

“The comprehensive nature of this study by such an authoritative body as the HEI is extremely significant. It is also important to highlight that the US EPA, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the US Federal Highway Administration are sponsors of this study, in conjunction with the manufacturers of emissions control equipment,” Schaeffer said.

To read the full HEI summary and study, go to: http://pubs.healtheffects.org/view.php?id=430

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