December 13, 2007
Press Release CSE cites new study in support of ‘stop diesel’ move |
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| New Delhi, December 13, 2007: Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) commends the Delhi government’s proactive move towards clearing the air in the national capital region -- especially in the light of a new study in the UK which shows how vulnerable asthmatics are to diesel exhausts. The Delhi government has recently demanded -- from the Union government -- cleaner fuels and vehicle standards for the NCR, or restraints on diesel car growth in the region. A new analysis carried out by CSE bears out the significance of this move: Analysis of new emissions data shows that even Euro III diesel cars spew several times more toxic emissions. Investigations carried out by CSE, based on actual emissions data available from the Pune-based Automotive Research Association of India, expose enormous differences in the actual emission levels of Euro III (Bharat Stage III) diesel and petrol cars that are currently sold in Delhi and other major Indian cities. Euro III diesel cars emit 7.5 times more toxic particulate matter (PM) than comparable petrol cars (see graphs on our website). This means, one diesel car is equal to adding 7.5 petrol cars to the car fleet in terms of PM emissions and 3 petrol cars in terms of NOx emissions. This clearly reflects the flawed emission standards that allow diesel cars to emit more NOx and PM compared to petrol cars. Total air toxics from a diesel car that are very harmful and carcinogenic are 7 times higher than petrol cars. Diesel-related emissions are already very high in Delhi’s air. It is a matter of serious concern that the monthly average levels of tiny particulates, smaller than 2.5-micron size (PM2.5), that go deep inside lungs, have hit a dizzying height of 245 microgram per cubic metre in Delhi. The daily peaks can be at more than 600 microgram per cubic metre. The World Health Organization has said that there is no safe level for PM. Studies in the US show that even at very low concentrations and with an increase of only 10 microgram per cubic metre, PM2.5 is associated with significant increases in health risks like asthma, lung diseases, chronic bronchitis and heart damage. Long-term exposure can cause lung cancer. What’s worse, in Delhi, levels of nitrogen dioxides (NO2) are also spiraling and daily levels have hit 300 microgram per cubic metre. Both these pollutants dominate diesel exhaust emissions. New study and more clinching evidence prove immediate harmful effects of diesel emissions. Even as international regulatory and scientific agencies believe that diesel exhaust is of sufficient concern to merit action, more stunning evidences have come last week from a study in England. The study ‘Respiratory Effects of Exposure to Diesel Traffic in Persons with Asthma’ (The New England Journal of Medicine, December 6, 2007) has specifically investigated the link between asthma and diesel exhaust. It says that diesel exhaust fumes on polluted streets have a measurable effect on people with asthma. In the study, about 60 participants -- all asthma cases -- walked for 2 hours along Oxford Street in London where diesel vehicles dominate, and, on a separate occasion, through Hyde Park. Participants had significantly higher exposure to PM and NO2 on Oxford Street than in Hyde Park. Walking on Oxford Street induced reductions in lung capacity accompanied by increases in inflammation and airway acidification. This is scary, when added to the evidence of acute cancer-causing potential of diesel pollutants. The International Agency for Research of Cancer (IARC), WHO, United States Environmental Protection Agency, etc have all classified diesel emissions as carcinogenic. Even low carbon emissions and greater fuel efficiency advantages of diesel cars are shrouded in doubt. Diesel cars are popular for their greater fuel efficiency and lower heat-trapping carbon emissions. ARAI data shows Euro III Indian diesel cars emit 1.2 times less carbon dioxide emissions compared to their petrol counterparts. But even this benefit is at risk of being negated as diesel fuel has more carbon content than petrol. If more diesel fuel is burnt, as is likely given its cheaper prices and rising number of cars, the heat trapping carbon emissions will increase. Moreover, even the carbon soot from diesel vehicles are now implicated for global warming. Studies carried out in the UK have shown that between 1996 and 2005, the amount of fuel used for each 100 km driven by new cars decreased by 6 per cent due to improvements in efficiency -- yet, emissions of carbon from private cars rose by 4 per cent due to increased distances travelled by car, which rose by 10 per cent. At the same time PM10 emissions that initially reduced by 29 per cent due to improvement in technology slowed down subsequently as the improvements was offset by increased use of diesel cars. Other governments have set stringent emissions targets to clean up diesel. Countries like the US have moved towards stringent emissions standards that are equal for all fuels. These can be met only with advanced emissions control technologies and ultra low sulphur fuels. While Delhi’s diesel has such high sulphur content as 350 ppm, for diesel in Europe and the US the levels are 10 ppm and 15 ppm, respectively. It is time to act. “Delhi’s pollution battle can turn very difficult if dieselisation of the car fleet is not checked right now,” says Anumita Roychowdhury, head of CSE’s Right to Clean Air Campaign. Diesel cars are nearly 30 per cent of the new car sales and are expected to be 50 per cent by 2010. Other Indian cities are also at serious risk. Already, more than half of Indian cities have critical levels of particulates. Says Roychowdhury: “It is a myth that the diesel car technology that is available currently in India is clean. Immediate policy intervention is needed.” CSE proposes the following two-point action plan:
Emissions data for Euro III diesel and petrol cars (Source: ARAI)
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