In
May 2000, Bio-diesel became the only alternative fuel
in the country to have successfully completed the EPA’s
Tier I and Tier II Health Effects testing under Section
211(b) of the Clean Air Act. The soybean industry invested
more than USD 2 million and 4 years into the health
effects testing program with the goal of setting Bio-diesel
apart from other alternative fuels and increasing consumer
confidence in Bio-diesel. The first tier of health effects
testing was conducted by Southwest Research Institute
and involved a detailed analysis of Bio-diesel emissions.
Tier II was conduted by Lovelace Respiratory Research
Institute, where a 90-day sub-chronic inhalation study
of Bio-diesel exhaust with specific health assessments
was completed. The Tier I testing conclusively demonstrated
Bio-diesel’s significant reductions in most currently
regulated emissions as well as most unregulated emissions—especially
those associated with cancer and lung disease. Tier
II testing demonstrated Bio-diesel’s non-toxic
effects on health. The results of the health effects
testing are given below:-
•
The
overall ozone (smog) forming potential of exhaust
emissions from Bio-diesel is 50% less.
•
The
exhaust emissions of Sulphur Dioxide and sulphates
(major components of acid rain) are totally eliminated.
•
The
exhaust emissions of Carbon Monoxide (a poisonous
gas which contributes in the localized formation of
smog and ozone) from Bio-diesel are 50% lower.
•
The
exhaust emissions of particulate matter (contributes
to respiratory diseases) from Bio-diesel are 30% lower.
•
The
exhaust emissions of hydrocarbons (a contributing
factor in the localized formation of smog and ozone)
are 95% lower.
•
The
exhaust emissions for aromatic compounds known as
PAH and NPAH compounds (suspected of causing cancer)
are substantially reduced. Most PAH compounds were
reduced by 75% to 85%. All NPAH compounds were reduced
by at least 90%.
_01.gif)
_02.gif){kind=small}
_05.gif){kind=small}
_06.gif){kind=small}
_07.gif){kind=small}
_09.gif){kind=small}
_10.gif){kind=small}
_11.gif){kind=small}
