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Engine Manufacturers Respond to California Action

28 August 1998

Engine Manufacturers Respond to California Action on Particulate Matter

    CHICAGO, Aug. 27 -- The Engine Manufacturers Association
(EMA) said today's action by the California Environmental Protection Agency's
Air Resources Board (CARB), which identifies particles from diesel-fueled
engines as a Toxic Air Contaminant (TAC), validates the work of industry and
regulators to reduce substantially particulate matter from diesel-fueled
engines.
    Because of these collective efforts over the past 30 years, today's
heavy-duty truck engines emit 90% fewer particulates and nearly 70% less NOx
(oxides of nitrogen) than in 1987.  By the year 2004, thanks to an existing
agreement between engine manufacturers, CARB and federal EPA, heavy-duty
diesel NOx emissions will also be reduced an additional 50% from current
levels.  Significantly, particulate matter is already highly regulated by both
CARB and EPA in the form of new engine emission standards and diesel fuel
specifications.
    "Given the substantial advancements made and still to come in improving
engine technologies and emissions controls, EMA has expressed numerous
concerns regarding the asserted reasons for the TAC listing," said
Glenn Keller, EMA's executive director.  "Throughout this process, EMA has
expressed concern that a TAC listing of whole diesel exhaust provides no help
in identifying what specific constituent of diesel exhaust, if any, might
cause adverse health effects.  Today's action -- specifically identifying
particulate matter emissions -- reaffirms the substantial efforts that
industry has made to protect public health."
    "Today's action also reaffirms the critical need for better science, as
EMA has stated all along," said Keller.  "We support CARB's recommendation to
follow closely future health studies relating to diesel-fueled engines.
However, EMA maintains that a great deal of uncertainty still remains about
the health risk assessment and whether the findings are supported by the
existing scientific data.
    "EMA will continue to support the further efforts of academic, government
and independent researchers to evaluate the potential health impact of
diesel-fueled exhaust using the best scientific information.  In doing so, EMA
and its members will continue the association's long-term efforts to promote
cleaner air based on sound public policy."