HEALTH EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH DIESEL EXHAUST EMISSIONS, LITERATURE REVIEW AND EVALUATION

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.

• Corporate Authors:

  Syracuse University Research Corporation

  P.O. Box 26, University Station
  Syracuse, NY  United States  13210

  Environmental Protection Agency

  Health Effects Research Laboratory
  Research Triangle Pk, NC  United States  27711
• Authors:
  • Santodonato, J
  • Basu, D
  • Howard, P
• Publication Date: 1978-11

Media Info

• Pagination: 165 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pollution; Animals; Automobile industry; Chemical concentration; Chemical properties; Data tables; Diesel engines; Environmental impacts; Epidemiology; Evaluation; Exhaust gases; Fuel consumption; Gasoline engines; Health; Human beings; Jurisprudence and judicial processes; Laboratory animals; Legislation; Living things; Physical properties; Physiological aspects; Public health; Recommendations; Research; Reviews; Standards; Toxicology
• Uncontrolled Terms: Experimental data
• Old TRIS Terms: Biological factors; In vitro analysis; In vivo analysis
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Highways; Law; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00191285
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: EPA/600/1-78/063
• Contract Numbers: EPA-68-02-2800
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 11 1979 12:00AM