July 21, 2017

The first in-car measurements of exposure to pollutants that cause oxidative stress during rush hour commutes has turned up potentially alarming results. The levels of some forms of harmful particulate matter inside car cabins was found to be twice as high as previously believed.
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July 17, 2017

Modern diesel cars emit less pollution generally than cars that run on gasoline, says a new six-nation study published today in Scientific Reports whose groundwork was laid in part by an American chemist now working at Université de Montréal.
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July 3, 2017

One of the benefits to cutting fossil fuel consumption is lowering air pollution. A new study in the August issue of Ecological Indicators shows that, on average, an increase in pollution particles in the air of 10 micrograms per cubic meter cuts victims’ life expectancy by 9-11 years — more than previously thought.
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June 1, 2017

Equipment owners are demanding advanced technologies that maximize the use of the equipment while saving fuel. While intended or not, these efficiency saving technologies contribute to achieve energy security goals and climate priorities.

You may not realize it, but your life relies on diesel. Diesel-powered agricultural equipment is responsible for cultivating most of the items you had for breakfast while diesel-powered trucks and trains delivered the items you bought to the store. Diesel-powered ships delivered most of the clothes you put on this morning. For many Americans that rely on public transportation, a diesel-powered bus or light rail was responsible for 10.7 million trips last year. Equipment owners are demanding advanced technologies that maximize the use of the equipment while saving fuel. While intended or not, these efficiency saving technologies contribute to achieve energy security goals and climate priorities.
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June 1, 2017

Cleantech Trends – Corporate-Funded Incubators, Bold New Investment Models, Partnerships – and CTO Alumni News
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May 31, 2017

In metropolitan areas throughout Europe maximum permissible values of nitrogen oxide are consistently breached. It has been a challenge to determine how much each polluter contributes to the emission output. Until now emission levels were mainly calculated by collecting emission data at laboratory testing facilities and subsequently extrapolating them in models. However, the amount of pollutant emissions that vehicles emit on a daily basis depends on numerous factors, for example on individual driving behavior. The recent Diesel scandal showed, for example, that measurements at engine test stands based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) or similar emission testing procedures can be highly uncertain for predicting actual environmental impacts. A large number of new studies have recently been published suggesting that emission levels from test stands have to be adjusted upwards.
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May 26, 2017

Diesel pollution is linked with heart damage, according to research presented today at EuroCMR 2017.1

“There is strong evidence that particulate matter (PM) emitted mainly from diesel road vehicles is associated with increased risk of heart attack, heart failure, and death,” said lead author Dr Nay Aung, a cardiologist and Wellcome Trust research fellow, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, UK. “This appears to be driven by an inflammatory response — inhalation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) causes localised inflammation of the lungs followed by a more systemic inflammation affecting the whole body.”
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May 22, 2017

High levels of air pollution over time may get in the way of a good night’s sleep, according to new research presented at the ATS 2017 International Conference.

“Prior studies have shown that air pollution impacts heart health and affects breathing and lung function, but less is known about whether air pollution affects sleep,” said lead author Martha E. Billings, MD, MSc, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Washington. “We thought an effect was likely given that air pollution causes upper airway irritation, swelling and congestion, and may also affect the central nervous system and brain areas that control breathing patterns and sleep.”
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April 26, 2017

As of October 2017, newly launched car models will have to pass more stringent exhaust gas tests in the EU and in Switzerland. The new test method includes measuring drives in actual traffic. Empa already tested currently available cars with the new method — with alarming results.
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August 25, 2016

With millions of motorists in the UK set to hit the road for the bank holiday weekend, drivers have been urged to close windows and turn off fans while in traffic jams to avoid breathing in dangerously high levels of air pollution. Latest research from the University of Surrey has shown that simple adjustment to your car’s ventilation system while sitting in traffic jams can greatly affect your exposure to toxic fumes by up to 76%.
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