Diesel Emission Control

Diesel Exhaust Reduction

Emission Control Systems

Diesel exhaust contains visible particles, called "soot", and invisible gases, called "toxins". Soot enters the lungs and settles there. Soot is not immediately harmful but it participates in long term chemical reactions that have harmful effects. The body cannot purge trapped soot because it is solid matter. Toxic gases enter the lungs and are immediately absorbed into the blood stream. Healthier people absorb toxic gases faster because their respiratory system is more efficient. Gases participate in immediate chemical reactions that can be harmful in high concentrations. The human body will eventually purge toxic gases, unless they overwhelm it, first.

Diesel exhaust fumes disperse when exhausted outdoors but they linger, and are repeatedly inhaled, when exhausted indoors. Diesel exhaust fumes also linger outdoors in congested areas like tunnels, toll plazas, construction sites, loading bays, school yards, bus stations, central city streets and even civic parades.

Smoke Blotter® believes that the immediate danger of unfiltered diesel exhaust is not damage to the open environment but to the people who live and work in areas of high, or continuous, diesel exhaust emission. These people must either move or change jobs in order to avoid the health hazards. Personal circumstances often prevent people from taking personal action and so they ultimately suffer health problems. Responsible employers and government agencies should assume responsibility, and take the initiative, in such situations.

Diesel engines burn cleaner as engine speed increases and subsequent load decreases but lower speeds and resulting higher loading is common in populated areas where, as it happens, most of us live and work. These two facts influence the design of all Smoke Blotter® emission control systems.

Health Justification

The people who benefit most from diesel exhaust emission control systems are seldom the purchasers. The purchasers probably work in a relatively clean, unpolluted environment away from diesel health hazards. They may understand the need for some solution and agree to contribute but they may not be committed. To emphasize the difference between 'contribution' and 'commitment,' we offer this analogy:

Today, some chickens contributed to your breakfast
but the pig actually committed.

In our view, the air pollution problem is one of commitment, not technology, and that commitment should be to your community, not the technology. Any community effort involves those who benefit and those who pay. All sides should be considered and compromises made to start things rolling.

Having said this, we present some facts, ideas, arguments and testimonials that might persuade you (or help you persuade someone else) to purchase a Smoke Blotter® filtration system:

Brain Cancer in Firefighters

Studies have shown that firefighters are at an increased risk for brain cancer, compared to the usual control group - police officers, who are often under comparable stress.

Acrobat Format: PDF

Cancer Alert for Diesel Exhaust

A diesel alert from Rachel.

Acrobat Format: PDF

Clean School Buses, Healthy Kids

Millions of our children ride to school each day on buses that are among the dirtiest vehicles on the road. The vast majority of the 442,000 school buses are aging diesel vehicles built to outmoded health and safety standards. These buses emit clouds of cancer- and smog-causing pollution that harm our children and the environment.