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HEALTH EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH DIESEL EXHAUST EMISSIONS, LITERATURE REVIEW AND EVALUATION
Citation:
Santodonato, J., D. Basu, AND P. Howard. HEALTH EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH DIESEL EXHAUST EMISSIONS, LITERATURE REVIEW AND EVALUATION. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/1-78/063 (NTIS PB289817), 1978.
Description:
Engineering tests have shown a significant improvement in fuel economy in light duty vehicles equipped with diesel engines versus those equipped with gasoline engines. Automobile manufacturers are considering a major program for conversion to diesel engines in the automobile fleet by 1985. Available studies show rather large differences in emissions from diesel engine exhausts as opposed to gasoline engine exhaust. Conversion of a major portion of the automobile fleet to diesel engines may significantly change the ambient concentrations of both regulated and unregulated pollutants, and hence the potential human exposure pattern. Such changes may impact upon public health, and consequently require changes in air quality standards, and/or new emissions or air quality standards. An assessment of the current state of knowledge regarding the health effects from diesel exhaust emissions, and the identification of major research needs, are important factors which must be considered by the EPA under the 1977 Amendments to the Clean Air Act. In order to accomplish this objective, the following information on diesel emissions has been reviewed in this document: physical and chemical characteristics; biological effects in animals and man; epidemiologic studies; knowledge gaps; and research needs.