Diesel Technology Forum Statement On Action by the International Agency on Research for Cancer

The Diesel Technology Forum issued the following statement regarding the actions by the World Health Organization’s International Agency on Research for Cancer (IARC) regarding the classification of diesel exhaust.  Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum, issued this statement:

“The Diesel Technology Forum welcomes and supports scientific inquiry and discussion regarding diesel fuels and emissions. The industry’s commitment is underscored by its funding for independent peer-reviewed, multi-stakeholder Advanced Collaborative Emissions Study (ACES)  by the Health Effects Institute (HEI).   As recently as April 12, 2012, findings of this landmark study sponsored by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the California Air Resources Board (ARB), industry and HEI suggest ‘few biologic effects to diesel exhaust exposure’.

“Air pollution is a critically important health issue and the diesel industry takes clean air concerns very seriously.  Diesel engine and equipment makers, fuel refiners and emissions control technology manufacturers have invested billions of dollars in research in an ongoing effort to develop and deploy technologies and strategies that reduce emissions to meet the increasingly diverse and stringent clean air standards in all nations throughout the world.  

“The results of these long-term commitments are very clear.  New technology diesel engines, which use ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, advanced engines and emissions control systems, are near zero emissions for nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and particulate matter.  In the U.S. for example, diesel exhaust is only a very small contributor to air pollution.  EPA’s most recent data indicates that diesel accounts for less than six percent of all particulate matter in the air.  And today in Southern California, more fine particles come from brake and tire wear than from diesel engines.

“Because more than 90 percent of all global trade, infrastructure development, key industries and an increasing number of automobiles are powered by fuel-efficient diesel engines, these advancements in clean diesel technology are enabling broad international environmental and public health benefits throughout the world.   Advancements in clean diesel technology are consistently identified as a true success story for improving air quality and also having a positive impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Diesel Emissions Have Been Reduced By 99%

“For example, in the United States, emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses have been reduced by 99 percent for nitrogen oxides (NOx) - an ozone precursor - and particulate emissions.  A key part of reducing emissions has been the shift to ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel that has been available since 2006.  That change in fuel specification reduced sulfur emissions by 97 percent – from 500 PM to 15 PM, and enables the use of advanced emissions control technologies.  Similar advancements are taking place in off-road engines and machines.”

New Research Highlights How Clean Diesel Technology Has Improved Public Health

Several recent scientific and academic research studies have highlighted the important advancements in clean diesel technology: