Diesel Smoke is the Biggest Problem in the Security Firehouse


Diesel smoke was listed as a chemical that causes cancer by the State of California since 1990. It is a combination of chemicals that may vary slightly depending on engine characteristics and fuel quality. All diesel smoke contains a variety of substances, each one scientifically linked to cancer - arsenic, benzene, formaldehyde, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These toxic ingredients bind to the surface of microscopic particles of soot.

Many human studies have shown the exhaust of diesel exposure increases the risk of cancer. In fact, long-term exposure to diesel exhaust particles have the highest risk of toxic air contaminant cancer evaluated by the Bureau of Health Risk Assessment Environment California.


Diesel fire trucks appeared in mid 1950. Today, the diesel power causes virtually all fire apparatus and emergency vehicles. Since its introduction, the smoke emitted diesel equipment was considered unhealthy. In many barracks some tailpipe makeshift typical installation for evacuating exhaust gases through a window or door.

Today - in addition to using the best available fuel quality, reducing lead times, the ventilation of the building, exchange of fresh air, and keep doors sealed between garage and living quarters - there limited means to address the health risk from diesel smoke by building modifications in conjunction with spare parts for fire apparatus.

Fan filter cabinets and remove contaminants from the air and help keep the building clean surfaces, but they do not prevent the release of particles into the atmosphere in the workplace, they are not effective cleaning equipment for preventive health.

Garage pipes and advice decline diesel particulate filters are the two most frequently used methods to mitigate the risk of diesel fumes in fire stations. Pipes requires manual connection. Even brief exposure compensates for air quality gains a truck parked connected to a pipe suspension.

The pipes are sometimes called capture systems, which is a misconception. Hoses not reflect contaminants; pipes explode raw exhaust outside. Diesel soot is microscopic with a long stay in the air. Particles blown outside by a conduit pipe re-enter the building through the doors should be opened to allow the trucks in and out. Pipes are not connected when a truck enters the Bay, or stay on when the truck at the door. Therefore, a pipe system is not very effective in all.So then fall outside the pipe, what can a fire department do to ensure that their staff are provided with the best health protection available? A study by a private advocacy group, the R.I.C.H.T.E.R. Foundation, which is dedicated to exhaust the security diesel engine problems, concluded: "The most effective and economical way to reduce emissions is to install diesel particulate filters on all diesel trucks and equipment used in barracks fire. "

CARB lists some diesel particulate filters as acceptable for reducing emissions as spare parts. He falls piping systems are listed because they are not regarded as devices for pollution control.

On board exhaust filters are not exactly a new idea. In 1949, the US military invented the first version of the modern diesel exhaust filtration system.

In 1985, General Motors developed the filter monolithic honeycomb ceramic. The first tests on diesel high range of Mercedes in the 1990s showed filters captured 99 percent of emissions. But at that time, using diesel fuel available year filter soot captured so quickly that it had to be changed too often. With the advent of computerized ignition engine and ultra-low sulfur fuel, diesel particulate filters are very popular today.

The efficiency of the diesel particulate filter also makes its limits. clog filters. means periodic cleaning accumulation. As the wrapping soot filter channels, the against-pressure is created, which stuck the engine. A close cousin of the existing fuel filter and the principle is the diesel exhaust brake, used in many heavy trucks and buses.

Several diesel emissions systems manufacturers using diesel particulate filters for over-the-road and off-road vehicles, including Engelhard, Lubrizol, and Johnson Matthey. Most of our national consciousness about environmental controversies originated on the West Coast, including trade credits pollution and the use of diesel fuel with low sulfur content in ultra. pending litigation provides a national beer which can have a devastating impact on the large and small fire movement.

An undecided lawsuit filed in California filed in May 2006 wells author Environmental Law Foundation (ELF) against Laidlaw transport services. The environmental organization requires school buses carry warning labels on all its buses, an extension of how tobacco companies are required to label cigarettes.

The ELF process lays the foundation for a future stream of dollars of large claims related to occupational exposure to diesel smoke. Plaintiffs argue that, under the laws of health and safety, people have the right to be informed about exposure to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Health risks from diesel smoke are very real. The only reasonable way to deal with pollution from diesel to workplace is to implement proactive measures that demonstrate the fire department is doing everything possible to ensure a safer working environment. In the short term, the fire department should equip existing devices Pollution control devices aftermarket Joined displaying the best technology.

Load disqus comments

0 komentar