Environmental Effects of Diesel Exhaust:

A Case Study in Risk Assessment

Presented to
the Faculty of College of Engineering, Architecture and Fine Arts
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Batangas City

Hacuda, Justin Cire

December, 2019
INTRODUCTION

The diesel engine is the most efficient prime mover commonly available today. The

diesel engine is a major tool in the day-to-day life of modern society. Diesel fuel produces many

harmful emissions when it is burned, and diesel-fueled vehicles are major sources of harmful

pollutants, such as ground-level ozone and particulate matter. (ei.gov , 2019) Diesel emanations

add to the wellbeing impacts; contamination of air, water, and soil; reductions in visibility; and

global climate change.

BACKGROUND

Diesel fuel is refined from crude oil at petroleum refineries. The diesel engine is a major

tool in the day-to-day life of modern society. It powers much of our land and sea transport, gives

electrical power, and is utilized for many cultivating, development, and industrial activities. Most

major sources of diesel emissions, such as ships, trains, and trucks operate in and around ports,

rail yards, and heavily traveled roadways. Although they have many advantages, they have a

significant impact upon environmental pollution problems worldwide.

According to the International Energy Agency (2012), transport is the second-largest

sector in producing global CO2 emissions with a range of 22%. Since 1970, vehicle’s exhaust

pollution have received increasing attention as a source of air pollution at both local (human

health concerns) and global (global warming) scales. ( Jie, 2011) It is considered as one of the

largest contributors to environmental pollution caused by exhaust emissions, and they are

responsible for several health problems as well. With diesel engines penetrating the private

transportation sector, their emissions are brought into urban centers, inevitably resulting in a high

and continuous exposure of a large part of the population. In 2010, 95 % of the urban

atmospheric background mass concentrations of particulate elemental carbon, and between 10

and 35 % of the atmospheric organic carbon mass in the ambient air of Birmingham (UK), could

be attributed to diesel engines (Yin et al. 2010) In 2018, diesel fuel accounted for about 20

percent of total U.S. petroleum use, or about 7 percent of American fuel consumption overall.

(Beck, 2019)
 Primary pollutants emitted from diesel engines include: 1) Particulate emissions (PM)

which impair visibility, adversely affect plant growth and damage soil structure and property.

Black carbon particulates retain vitality, prompting air warming; 2) Carbon monoxide (CO) and

Carbon dioxide (CO2) which contributes to carbon dioxide, one of the ozone harming

substances prompting climate change; 3) Nitrogen oxides (NOx) which are the primary

pollutants that create low level ozone (smog), acid rain and nitrate particulates; 4) Volatile

Organic Compounds (VOCs) and nitrous oxides are the two leading pollutants that result in

ozone formation.

Environmentally, diesel emissions contribute to a number of air pollution problems

including climate change, acid rain and ground level ozone (smog). According to New

Hampshire Environmental Services (2014), diesel emissions adversely affect the environment by

interfering with climate, the physiology of plants, creature species and whole biological systems,

just as human property as rural yields and man-made structures.

Despite the fact that progress has been made over the previous decade in diminishing

introduction to diesel exhaust, diesel exhaust still poses generous dangers to general wellbeing

and to the environment. Many agencies, organizations (EPA, OECD, IPCC, IEA, EEA, etc.)

worldwide were established and have been working to prevent air pollution and climate change

caused by pollutant emissions.

PRESENTATION OF FINDING

The advantages of diesel engine is that having high efficiency, durability, and reliability

together with their low operating cost. Because of these features, diesel engine is the most

preferred to be used especially for heavy duty vehicles. In the widespread use of diesel engine

with a lot of advantages, diesel engine play an important role in environmental pollution problem

word wide. Diesel engines are considered as one of the largest contributors to environmental

pollution caused by exhaust emissions.

Air is the one who is suffering most from diesel exhaust emission. Diesel engine emits

nitrogen oxide which is common air pollutant. Polluted air contributes to the development of

diseases like cancer, and cardiovascular and respiratory problems. Diesel engines also is one of
the contributor for having global climate change. Due to increase demand of gasoline and diesel

fuels it is expected to be one of the fastest growing sources of greenhouse gasses.

To water and soil pollution,evaporative emission of diesel fuel constituents are lower

than those from gasoline due to closed system and low volatility. Because of that diesel fuel

spills, leaks from pipelines, tanks and roadways accidentally. The effects of fuel spills on aquatic

organisms include reproductive impairment, depressed growth rates, and increased susceptibility

to infectious and noninfectious diseases.

ALTERNATIVES

There are different alternative solutions that the researchers found to lessen the harmful gases

that emits from diesel exhaust. The first one is the eco-friendly cars or electric cars. In this

generation, our technology is advanced and can make different things. There's one company

named Tesla, where they build an automobile that is powered by electricity. And by this electric

powered automobile, it does not emit harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxide. Electric vehicles as

they now stand are far less contaminating than their ignition motor partners. As the innovation

turns out to be more standard, it is probably going to turn out to be significantly progressively

effective and practical. Economies of scale will profit EV (electric vehicles) producing by giving

better framework, progressively effective assembling strategies, reusing alternatives and lessen

the requirement for the mining of new materials.

The second alternative solution that the researchers found is a method that uses an aqueous urea

solution that is used to lessen the emission of nitrogen oxide which they called the AdBlue.

AdBlue is a clear liquid solution which consists of dematerialized water (67.5%) and the raw

material automotive urea (32.5%). To use AdBlue it is injected to the exhaust emissions of a

diesel-powered engine to reduce the harmful gas which is the nitrogen oxides that causes damage

to the environment into harmless nitrogen and water vapor. The exhaust gasses mixed with the

AdBlue vapor flow into a SCR (selective reduction catalyst) where a chemical reaction takes

place. AdBlue has a different tank to those diesel tanks.

SCR systems in gasoline engines, however, are considerably more complex than a

traditional three-way catalytic converter. For example, it is necessary to set the AdBlue dosage
precisely to the amount of NOx produced by the engine. Too small a dose does not yield the law

mandated NOx reduction and too high a dose leads to harmful emissions of ammonia. AdBlue

also appears at temperatures below 200°C.

Proposed Solution

As the technology advances, pollution has been one of the most significant issues that

affect a person’s health. Air pollution is a type of environmental pollution that affects the air and

is usually caused by smoke or harmful gases. According to the article in HowStuffWorks, written

by Brinson, L. entitled “How much air pollution comes from cars?” in our modern civilization,

fossil fuel combustion is the biggest contributor to air pollution. Mobile vehicles combust fossil

fuels to produce energy emits hazardous gases such as oxides of nitrogen, Carbon Monoxide,

particulates, and hydrocarbons into the air. The quantity of vehicles on our roads today are

continuously increasing and expanding, with an expected number of the greater a billion vehicles

are on the road. Trucks, shipping vessels, trains, and planes likewise combust loads of non-

renewable energy sources to work. All these transportation technologies are power-driven by

diesel and gasoline engines that combust petroleum to produce energy.

The diesel engine is the most efficient prime mover for vehicles commonly available

today. Diesel engines technology are utilizing a huge part of the world's products and generate

electricity more economically than any other device in their size range. However, the diesel fuel

is perhaps the biggest contributors of natural and environmental pollution issues around the

world. With huge expands expected in the number of vehicles and many vehicles traveled miles

a way, causing ever-increasing global emissions (California Air Resources Board, Sacramento,

USA). Notwithstanding on that fact that diesel engines are one of the most efficient mover for

vehicles other than any types of engine for such using diesel fuels, as research shows that diesel

engines are contributing to harmful air pollution, which is a particular problem in congested

areas, such as our towns and cities. Diesel engines emit nitrogen oxide and particulate matter into

the air we breathe. The particulate matter contains hundreds of tiny particulates, which easily

enter our lungs. These particulates are made of many chemical elements, harmful enough for the
World Health Organization to declare that diesel emissions contribute to the development of

cancer; cardiovascular and respiratory health effects; contamination of air, water, and soil and

worldwide environmental change.

Due to its efficiency, many researchers, engineers and developers have been effectively

studying and researching on ways on how to improve and develop diesel engines as well as

diesel fuels in such a way of reducing diesel fleet emissions, fuel changes, such as reduced sulfur

and aromatics content, that have resulted in immediate improvements across the entire diesel on-

and off-road fleet,and promised for more improvements with future control. In addition to the

efficiency of diesel engines, Automakers have already relied on diesel to help the industry meet

limits on carbon dioxide emissions, a contributor to global warming. But while it emits less CO2

than gasoline-fueled engines, the technology generates nitrogen oxides that help create harmful

smog, a problem most acute in big cities.

One of the best possible solutions that the researchers considered was the Bosch Diesel

Technology. This new Bosch diesel technology was developed by a German engineer, Robert

Bosch. As stated on the article of Automotive News, written by Christoph Rauwald, Robert

Bosch Inc. believed that this new diesel technology could save diesel from its death throes. The

Bosch company claimed in late April its new exhaust system could slashed deadly nitrogen oxide

emissions from diesel engines far below legal limits taking effect in 2020 and can promotes

automakers with maintaining a strategic distance from city driving bans which take steps to

developing the innovation. The new system enhances thermal management of exhaust,

temperatures, cutting nitrogen oxide emissions to one-tenth of the lawfully allowed points of

confinement and doesn't require new equipment. The new system process keeps emissions stable

even at low temperatures. Bosch claimed, since 2017, European legislation has necessitated that

new traveler vehicle models tested by a RDE-consistent blend of urban, extra-urban, and

expressway cycles discharge close to 168 milligrams of NOx for every kilometer. As of 2020,

this limit will be cut to 120 milligrams.

in Stuttgart. Many journalists, from both Germany and abroad, had the chance to drive test

vehicles furnished with portable estimating gear in substantial city traffic, under particularly

testing conditions. As the measures to reduce NOx emissions do not significantly impact

consumption, the diesel retains its comparative advantage in terms of fuel economy, CO₂

emissions, and therefore climate-friendliness.

In the United States, for example, 49-state (non-California) non-urban diesel fuel sulfur

content is multiple times higher than that of national on-road diesel fuel. Significantly, altogether

decreasing this sulfur substance would minimize the secondary particulate matter (PM) build up

and permit the utilization of control advancements that have demonstrated successful in the on-

street field. The utilization of essentially zero-sulfur fuels, for example, engine modifications,

exhaust gas recirculation, and catalytic aftertreatment is additionally expected to continue.

Innovation changes, such as motor adjustments, exhaust gas distribution, and exhaust gas

aftertreatment, take more time to completely implement, for the reason of slow fleet turnover.

However, they eventually result in significant emission reductions and will be continued on an

ever-widening basis.

CONCLUSION

While progress in reducing exposure to diesel exhaust has been made over the past

decade, diesel exhaust still poses significant risks to public health and the environment. It has

been identified in this study that diesel engine is the world’s most efficient prime mover for

vehicles commonly available today. It is very evident that diesel engines are being used in the

world’s generation of power and goods. With the rising rate of people having private vehicles

and the growing population of the world, diesel engine is still one of the largest contributors to

environmental pollution from happening for the past years until the present time. But most car

companies now are putting effort in making their products eco-friendly, especially the ones that

have diesel engines. This is because of the rampant occurrence of environmental destruction

happening right in front of the eyes of the whole world. With the help of our advanced
technology, it has been very helpful for different scientists to find an alternative source of power

for cars that can help address the environmental effects of diesel engines. The reductions

achieved in recent years in emissions of toxic exhaust materials were remarkable. Due to the

high complexity of the diesel engine emissions and the biological systems with which they

interact, predicting exhaust toxicity from the composition of exhaust is unlikely to be possible in

the near future, so thorough toxicological studies are still needed. Given the rapid changes in

exhaust composition due to new technology, this need will become even more important. Recent

developments in the field of in vitro toxicology, coupled with the availability of sophisticated

aerosol exposure devices, give hope that although exhaust toxicity will not be straightforward in

the near future, rapid and accurate evaluation of new technologies will be possible and will allow

legislation on exhaust emissions to be put in place which effectively protects public health.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the conclusions drawn, the researchers would like to give several

recommendations that will not only address to this paper but also to future studies.

In order to improve the proposed solution, the researchers recommend to have a more

comprehensive data gathering procedure prior to the making of this research study. Likewise,

expounding of the data gathering procedures will ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data

that will be analyzed. More types of data gathering procedures, involving more respondents will

help in doing this. In the same context, it is important that the researchers consider and explore

other types of research method that could be more suitable in analyzing the variables and

achieving the desired outcome. Also, a greater amount of time duration for the development of

the study must be provided, as research method is typically comprised of a plethora of

information. By doing so, it creates an opportunity for researchers to enhance and fully develop

the study to its greatest extent. Moreover, future researchers should investigate implications and

bridge the gaps that exist within the research study, specifically by finding a room for

enhancement and improvement to future development of innovative products. Lastly, future

researchers should give high priority to effective scheduling and time management in order to

avoid conflict and ensure productivity.

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Ellsmoor, J. (2019, May 21). Are Electric Vehicles Really Better For The Environment?
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Rauwald, C. (2018). Bosch claims a 'breakthrough' that could save diesel engines. Automotive
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