indianaEPH
Silver Member
I'm sure that Diesel fumes are not good for you. This is obvious. But the exposure to fumes that one is likely to get operating a diesel outside is small. The average PM concentration will be very low.
Exposure to Spark ignited gasoline engines is far worse. The first reason is carbon monoixide. A gas engine without catalyst (most small engines and farm equipment) will kill you quickly in an enclosed space. Although Diesels produce more soot, they produce very little CO because they use lean burn combustion. The second reason is gas engine produce ultra fine particles (not visible). These particles are small engough to pass through the Lung alveoli resulting in entry into the blood stream. There is a lot of research in this area. I'm sure that we will hear about this in the future.
BTW: I hear exposure to exesive amounts of ammonia from cow manure is a carcinogen..............
Exposure to Spark ignited gasoline engines is far worse. The first reason is carbon monoixide. A gas engine without catalyst (most small engines and farm equipment) will kill you quickly in an enclosed space. Although Diesels produce more soot, they produce very little CO because they use lean burn combustion. The second reason is gas engine produce ultra fine particles (not visible). These particles are small engough to pass through the Lung alveoli resulting in entry into the blood stream. There is a lot of research in this area. I'm sure that we will hear about this in the future.
BTW: I hear exposure to exesive amounts of ammonia from cow manure is a carcinogen..............