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.

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