What are diesel engine exhaust emissions?
Diesel engine exhaust emissions (commonly known as ‘diesel fumes’) are a mixture of gases, vapours, liquid aerosols and substances made up of particles. They contain the products of combustion including: • carbon (soot); • nitrogen; • water; • carbon monoxide; • aldehydes; • nitrogen dioxide; • sulphur dioxide; • polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The carbon particle or soot content varies from 60% to 80% depending on the fuel used and the type of engine. Most of the contaminants are adsorbed onto the soot. Petrol engines produce more carbon monoxide but much less soot than diesel engines. What factors affect the composition of diesel fumes? The quantity and composition of diesel fumes in your workplace may vary depending on: • the quality of diesel fuel used; • the type of engine, eg standard, turbo or injector; • the state of engine tuning; • the fuel pump setting; • the workload demand on the engine; • the engine temperature; • whether the engine has been regularly maintained. What d
