Particulate matter has been linked to premature death and worsening asthma, and nitrogen oxides are a principal component of ozone smog. The oil industry had tried to water down the rules by offering an alternative proposal with higher sulfur levels. That plan would have severely weakened the program and precluded significant reductions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter pollution. In response to the new sulfur in diesel fuel regulations, the National Petroleum Refiners Association filed a lawsuit challenging the new EPA regulations in February 2001. The American Lung Association has intervened in this lawsuit to support the EPA heavy-duty diesel regulations.
Public opinion stands behind the clean up of dirty diesel buses and trucks.
In addition, voters also believe cleaner diesel fuel can have a positive impact on our nation s air quality. Voters also favored diesel fuel cleanup even when told it would increase costs to consumers. 19 Non-road Heavy Duty Engines. National Air Quality Standards. The EPA estimates the standards will each year prevent thousands of premature deaths, tens of thousands of hospitalizations and other illnesses for respiratory and cardiovascular causes, and millions of days of missed work and school.