What Are The Health And Environmental Benefits?
The new standards will reduce emissions from a typical nonroad diesel engine by up to two-thirds from the levels of previous standards. By meeting these standards, manufacturers of new nonroad engines and equipment will achieve large reductions in the emissions that cause ground-level ozone (especially oxides of nitrogen, or NOx) and particulate matter air pollution problems in many parts of the country. EPA estimates that by 2010, NOx emissions will be reduced by about a million tons per year, the equivalent of taking 35 million passenger cars off the road. Ozone causes a range of health problems related to breathing, including chest pain, coughing, and shortness of breath. Particulate matter becomes deposited deep in the lungs and results in premature death, increased emergency room visits, and increased respiratory symptoms and disease. In addition, ozone, NOx, and particulate matter adversely affect the environment in various ways, including through crop damage, acid rain, and redu
