Emissions and Health Testing of New Technology Diesel Engines

Abstract

Emissions and Health Testing of New Technology Diesel EnginesAbstract Number:2465 Annemoon M. van Erp*, Jacob D. McDonald, Chris Tennant, Maria G. Costantini, and Rashid Shaikh Annemoon M. van Erp* Health Effects Institute, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Jacob D. McDonald Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Chris Tennant Coordinating Research Council, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Maria G. Costantini Health Effects Institute, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , and Rashid Shaikh Health Effects Institute, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author AbstractThe Advanced Collaborative Emissions Study was designed to determine whether new technology heavy-duty diesel engines (NTDE) that are compliant with 2007 and 2010 EPA emissions standards for PM and NOx may generate unanticipated adverse effects on health and the environment. Extensive emissions characterization of four 2007-compliant and three 2010-compliant NTDE was followed by inhalation studies in which rodents were exposed for 16 hrs/d, 5 d/wk, up to 30 months to diluted exhaust from a 2007-compliant NTDE. Exhaust dilutions were based on NO2 (4.2, 1.0, and 0.1 ppm) because PM levels were too low (about 10 µg/m3) to set reliable levels. (Emissions of PM and many chemical species were found to be 90-99% below those of 2004 engines). In C57BL/6 mice, few biologic responses were observed after 1 or 3 months of exposure. In Wistar Han rats, no exposure-related tumors or neoplastic changes were seen in the lungs or other organs after lifetime exposure. Mild biologic responses were seen only at the highest concentration; the main observation was minimal airway thickening in central acinus of the lung. The majority of biomarkers did not change, except some markers of inflammation and small changes in pulmonary function. No genotoxic effects were seen. A detailed pathology peer review concluded that the mild effects of exposure to NTDE exhaust differ markedly from effects observed with traditional diesel exhaust and were consistent with exposure to NO2. As expected, the introduction of NTDE is likely to provide health benefits by reducing exposure of human populations to PM, NOx, and air toxics. This project was funded by HEI’s government and industry sponsors.