Particulate pollution from diesel engines kills more
people than any other air pollution (i.e. legal
pollution).  It is especially hard on the young and the
old.  the reason is that the diesel particulates are so
small that the lungs cannot expell them.  2.5 microns
(about 1/10 the width of a human hair).  Particulate
pollution at current legal levels (150 micrograms per
cubic meter) causes more premature deaths than
aids...over 70,000 a year.  The breathing capacity of a
child's lungs drops 6% when exposed to the legal level
of particulate pollution.  Over time, it does a lot of
damage.  Each increase of 100 micrograms of particulate
pollution in one study resulted in an increase in the
local death rate of 16%.
steve

Dave Bayer wrote:
<<<...>>>
        Right, they also said that TDIs, while clean
for diesels,
> were worse in the NOx and particulate matter emissions than gas
> engines. So I asked about biodiesel and the CARB guy said that while
> biodiesel cut them significantly, they were still higher in
> particulate matter than any gas engine (not surprising). Does anyone
> know of any studies on biodiesel emissions especially focusing on the
> particulate content? I would like to know what about the particulate
> matter is most damaging...
>
>         So, right now I am trying to come up with a new engine
> for my syncro. All the conversions I have looked at have left
> me wanting in the end (due to one reason or another). I am
> thinking about a TDI with a subsequent 3rd and 4th gear change
> in the future.... Yes, this thread did have revalence to my
> van ;)
>
> dave