[LMB] Diesel Re: Energy efficiency

[Mark Allums]

alayne at twobikes.ottawa.on.ca wrote:
> On Fri, 8 Feb 2008, Meg Justus wrote:
>> This seems like a good place to ask a naive question, then.  What is it
>> about diesel exhaust that smells so much worse than that of gasoline?  
> And
>> the exhaust really isn't worse pollution-wise?  I find that very hard to
>> believe.
> 
> I can't say why diesel exhaust smells worse, though I suspect it has a
> higher sulfide content.
> 
> However, the real problem with diesel is that it contains more fine
> particulates. These have recently been associated with increased risk of 
> cardiac -- by the Heart and Stroke Association. See below.
> 
> So you have to weight better energy efficiency of diesel vs health 
> dangers.


The new fuel, combined with the newest engines, cures a lot of the 
problem.  Of course, nothing's perfect.

--Mark Allums