Noxious cuts

WITH air pollution a serious cause for
concern in European countries, the
European Union (Eu) environment ministers agreed early March to curb diesel
fuel emissions all over Europe. Diesel
emissions let loose nitrogen oxide,
known to cause acid rain and also diesel
particles, a few of which have been
found to be carcinogenic in nature.

Most of the machinery covered in
the proposals account for nearly 30 per
cent of total nitrogen oxide emissions
from diesel vehicles. The EU programme
envisages a reduction of nitrogen oxide
emissions by 42 per cent and diesel particles by 67 per cent by AD 2003. The
manufacturers of the diesel-powered
vehicles also seem to whol,6 heartedly
support the emission cuts. Said Harmut
Mayer, general secretary of Euromot,
an industry association representing ELI
manufacturers, that the proposals were
in the interests of the industry which
wants to have uniform standards.
While they would lead to a marginal
increase in the manufacturing prices,
these would help in setting worldwide
emission standards. The EU proposals
are similar to the us rules for diesel
emissions which were published last
year.