Scientific Evidence Insufficient to Define Diesel Risk Link, EMA Says, Citing Recent EPA Review; Meanwhile, Diesel Engine Manufacturers Make Giant Strides to Reduce Emissions

    CHICAGO--Sept. 3, 2002--A long-awaited report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finds that current scientific evidence is insufficient to define any risk levels between diesel exhaust exposure and lung cancer. Importantly, the report also shows that scientific evidence does not allow a finding that diesel emissions are a known human carcinogen.
    "EPA's review of the cancer issue is significant because it states that the actual risk from exposure to diesel particulates, the primary health risk concern, may be zero," said Jed Mandel, on behalf of the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA), which represents major engine manufacturers. "This critical finding supports the industry's long-held belief that the 1998 California actions regarding diesel are simply not justified by scientific evidence.
    "EMA is pleased that the EPA has recognized the very different levels of concern raised by historical diesel emissions and new clean diesel technology. The agency's report assesses the science concerning health risks from old diesel technologies and comes at a time when diesel manufacturers have made giant strides to reduce emissions from diesel engines, and will reduce emissions by another 90% in the next few years. Whatever health questions may have existed in the past, we are eliminating them as a concern for the future," continued Mandel. "Significant improvements in fuels, engines, and aftertreatment technologies have been made, and will continue to be made. We're concentrating on today and the future. We continue on a track to minimize diesel emissions."
    Mandel added that, "Clean diesel technology employing ultra-low-sulfur fuel and aftertreatment virtually eliminates emissions of particulate matter and hydrocarbons, the two constituents of diesel emissions that have been cited by some regulators as potential health problems. Engine manufacturers are engaged in clean diesel technology breakthroughs that will result in extraordinary air quality benefits while meeting the performance demands of their customers."
    Following more than 10 years of study, independent scientific reviews, and numerous revisions, EPA's Diesel Health Assessment Document also concludes that exposure to diesel emissions, even at presumed levels more than twice the national average, does not cause other significant long-term health effects.
    "Engine manufacturers continue to encourage research into the health effects of diesel emissions and are supporting additional research projects," noted Mandel.

    The Engine Manufacturers Association is a trade association representing worldwide manufacturers of internal combustion engines used in applications such as trucks and buses, farm and construction equipment, locomotives, marine vessels, and lawn, garden and utility equipment. EMA works with government and industry stakeholders to help the nation achieve its goals of cleaner fuels, more efficient engines and cleaner air.