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BIODIESEL EXHAUST: THE NEED FOR HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS RESEARCH
Citation:
SWANSON, K. J., M. C. MADDEN, AND A. J. GHIO. BIODIESEL EXHAUST: THE NEED FOR HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS RESEARCH. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Research Triangle Park, NC, 115(4):496-499, (2007).
Impact/Purpose:
To conduct cytotoxicity and mutagenicity studies on the effects of biodiesel exhaust in biological systems
Description:
Biodiesel is a diesel fuel alternative that has shown potential of becoming a commercially accepted part of the United States energy infrastructure. In November of 2004, the signing of the Jobs Creation Bill HR4520 marked an important turning point for the future production of biodiesel in the United States. By the end of 2005, industry production was 75 million gallons, a 300% increase in one year. Current industry capacity, however, stands at just over 300 million gallons/year (MMGY) and current expansion and new plant construction could double the industry's capacity within a few years.
Objectives
Biodiesel exhaust emission has been extensively characterized under field and lab conditions but there have been limited cytotoxicity and mutagenicity studies on the effects of biodiesel exhaust in biological systems.
Discussion
Employment of biodiesel fuel is favorably viewed and there are suggestions that its exhaust emissions are less likely to present any risk to human health relative to
petroleum diesel emissions.
Conclusion
However, the speculative nature of reduction in health effects based on chemical composition of biodiesel exhaust needs to be followed-up with investigations in biological systems.