Automotive Exhaust Regulations - Essay Example

Automotive vehicles are the source of air pollution in the world today. There are many industries and vehicles on the road that burn fuel and release pollutants that are harmful to the environment which are sources of health complications in human beings. Because of this, there is a need for regulation of emissions from these industries and vehicles. Automotive exhaust emissions do not only happen on the road but also in sectors with engines that run on diesel. Workers in these industries need to be protected from harmful emission by regulating hazardous emissions. Some countries have started using electric cars, while others have enhanced supervised production and elimination on the use of automotive vehicles to reduce air pollution but the majority of the population still use diesel vehicles.

Many countries have recognized automotive vehicles as the source of pollutants and have imposed test procedures and several standards which reflects the various degree of stringency to curb emissions. The regulatory policies and the goals associated with the quality of air brings the difference. For instance, in the United States, car regulations require a vehicle to comply with the standards of emission for some miles and years. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is solely responsible for regulation and emission standards development for diesel fuel, vehicles, and engines which are instrumental in lowering the potential exposure at the place of work. Also, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has standards, directives, and register notices to the federal government that address diesel exhaust exposure standards in industrial and shipyard employment.

Industrial hygiene is crucial for every worker because employers are directed to identify, evaluate and controls hazards in their firms so that the employees are not exposed to any harm as they perform their duties. Risks addressed in industrial setting include emergency response, healthcare, and harmful emissions. Industrial hygiene and safety also evaluate chemical, physical, biological, and radiological hazards to prevent workplace illnesses, injuries, and fatalities by offering technical assistance to industries, identification of workplace hazards, and development of new and cost-effective strategies for controlling hazards.

Furthermore, regulations have been put in place to dramatically reduce automotive exhaust emissions from diesel vehicles and other locomotives such as passenger rails, switch, and line haul. The objective of this regulation is to cut particulate matter (PM) emissions from engines and nitrogen dioxide emission which are harmful to the environment by application of high efficiency catalytic after-treatment technology for engines that are under manufacture. The standards also include the remanufacturing of existing locomotives aimed at reducing idling for remanufactured and new ones. These measures are significant steps in the efforts to reduce idle engine emissions. Other regulations effected include greenhouse gas emissions from, passenger cars, commercial trucks, buses, and motorcycles. For instance, enhanced production of new generation clean vehicles has improved fuel use and reduced light emissions.

OSHA and EPA have also developed regulations that guard against diesel exhaust occupational exposure from off-road vehicles such as tractors, cranes, forklifts, golf carts, and bulldozers. Control of diesel exhaust exposure also includes diesel engine vehicles, heavy equipment, and machinery used in industrial mining, maritime, agriculture, construction, and manufacturing operations. This is because diesel engine exhaust comprises hazardous gases and small participles. Employers have been compelled by OSHA to comply with regulations, standards, and rules that provide a secure workplace for all employees.

References

Occupational Safety & Health Administration. (n.d.). Diesel Exhaust/Diesel Particulate Matter. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/dts/hazardalerts/diesel_exhaust_hazard_alert.html