CHAPTER

Biodiesel emissions and

health effects testing
38
National Biodiesel Board
USA

Biodiesel emissions
Biodiesel is the first and only alternative fuel to have a complete evaluation of emis-
sion results and potential health effects submitted to the US Environmental Protec-
tion Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act Section 211(b). These programs include
the most stringent emissions testing protocols ever required by EPA for certification
of fuels or fuel additives. The data gathered complete the most thorough inventory of
the environmental and human health effects attributes that current technology will
allow.
EPA has surveyed the large body of biodiesel emissions studies and averaged the
Health Effects testing results with other major studies. The results are seen in
Table 38.1. To view EPA’s report titled “A Comprehensive Analysis of Biodiesel Im-
pacts on Exhaust Emissions” visit www.epa.gov/otaq/models/analysis/biodsl/p02001.
pdf.
The ozone (smog)-forming potential of biodiesel hydrocarbons is less than
diesel fuel. The ozone-forming potential of the speciated hydrocarbon emissions
is 50% less than that measured for diesel fuel.
Sulfur emissions are essentially eliminated with pure biodiesel. The exhaust
emissions of sulfur oxides and sulfates (major components of acid rain) from bio-
diesel are essentially eliminated compared to diesel.
Criteria pollutants are reduced with biodiesel use. Tests show the use of bio-
diesel in diesel engines results in substantial reductions of unburned hydrocarbons,
carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. Emissions of nitrogen oxides stay the same
or are slightly increased.

Bioenergy. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815497-7.00038-5 745

Copyright © 2020 Anju Dahiya. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
746 CHAPTER 38 Biodiesel emissions and health effects testing

Table 38.1 Average Biodiesel emissions compared with conventional diesel,

according to US Environmental Protection Agency.
Emission type B100 (%) B20 (%)
Regulated
Total unburned hydrocarbons
67
20
Carbon monoxide
48
12
Particulate matter
47
12
Nox þ10 þ2 to -2
Nonregulated
Sulfates
100
20a
PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)b
80
13
nPAHs (nitrated PAHs)b
90
50c
Ozone potential of speciated HC
50
10
a
Estimated from B100 result.
b
Average reduction across all compounds measured.
c
2-Nitrofluorene results were within test method variability.

Carbon monoxidedThe exhaust emissions of carbon monoxide (a poisonous

gas) from biodiesel are on average 48% lower than carbon monoxide emissions
from diesel.
Particulate matterdBreathing particulate has been shown to be a human health
hazard. The exhaust emissions of particulate matter from biodiesel are about 47%
lower than overall particulate matter emissions from diesel.
HydrocarbonsdThe exhaust emissions of total hydrocarbons (a contributing
factor in the localized formation of smog and ozone) are on average 67% lower
for biodiesel than diesel fuel.
Nitrogen oxidesdNOx emissions from biodiesel increase or decrease depend-
ing on the engine family and testing procedures. NOx emissions (a contributing fac-
tor in the localized formation of smog and ozone) from pure (100%) biodiesel
increase on average by 10%.
However, biodiesel’s lack of sulfur allows the use of NOx control technologies
that cannot be used with conventional diesel.
Additionally, some companies have successfully developed additives to reduce
Nox emissions in biodiesel blends.
Biodiesel reduces the health risks associated with petroleum diesel.
Biodiesel emissions show decreased levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs) and nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nPAHs), which have been
identified as potential cancer causing compounds. In Health Effects testing, PAH
compounds were reduced by 75%e85%, with the exception of benzo(a)anthracene,
which was reduced by roughly 50%. Targeted nPAH compounds were also reduced
dramatically with biodiesel, with 2-nitrofluorene and 1-nitropyrene reduced by 90%,
and the rest of the nPAH compounds reduced to only trace levels.
 Health effects testing 747

Health effects testing

History
In June 2000, representatives of the US Congress announced that biodiesel had
become the first and only alternative fuel to have successfully completed the Tier
I and Tier II Health Effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act Amendments
of 1990. The biodiesel industry invested more than two million dollars and 4 years
into the health effects testing program with the goal of setting biodiesel apart from
other alternative fuels and increasing consumer confidence in biodiesel.

Testing
The first tier of health effects testing was conducted by Southwest Research Institute
and involved a detailed analysis of biodiesel emissions. Tier II was conducted by
Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, where a 90-day subchronic inhalation
study of biodiesel exhaust with specific health assessments was completed.

Results
Results of the health effects testing concluded that biodiesel is nontoxic and biode-
gradable, posing no threat to human health. Also among the findings of biodiesel
emissions compared with petroleum diesel emissions in this testing are the
following:
• The ozone (smog)-forming potential of hydrocarbon exhaust emissions from
biodiesel is 50% less.
• The exhaust emissions of carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas and a contributing
factor in the localized formation of smog and ozone) from biodiesel are 50%
lower.
• The exhaust emissions of particulate matter (recognized as a contributing factor
in respiratory disease) from biodiesel are 30% lower.
• The exhaust emissions of sulfur oxides and sulfates (major components of acid
rain) from biodiesel are completely eliminated.
• The exhaust emissions of hydrocarbons (a contributing factor in the localized
formation of smog and ozone) are 95% lower.
• The exhaust emissions of aromatic compounds known as PAH and nPAH com-
pounds (suspected of causing cancer) are substantially reduced for biodiesel
compared with diesel. Most PAH compounds were reduced by 75%e85%. All
nPAH compounds were reduced by at least 90%.

Significance
The health effects testing results provide conclusive scientific evidence using the most
sophisticated technology available to validate the existing body of testing data. The
748 CHAPTER 38 Biodiesel emissions and health effects testing

comprehensive body of biodiesel data serves to demonstrate the significant benefits of

biodiesel to the environment and to public health. This will lead to increased consumer
confidence and increased use of biodiesel. As the majority of biodiesel is made from
soybean oil, a promising new market is materializing for soybeans.

Acknowledgments
The editor is grateful to Ray Albrecht, P.E. (technical representative, Northeast US Region),
and Jessica Robinson (director of communications) for their time and effort in making the two
factsheets available for this book with permission from National Biodiesel Board http://www.
biodiesel.org/.