Environment Canada research on exhaust emissions from light-duty diesel vehicles fuelled with different biodiesel blends provided data and expertise for Health Canada’s Human Health Risk Assessment for Biodiesel Production, Distribution and Use in Canada. Using its state-of-the-art emissions testing facility in Ottawa, the contribution by the Emissions Research and Measurement Section (ERMS) filled critical knowledge gaps essential to the completion of the assessment.

At the facility, current light-duty diesel vehicles were tested with a selection of low-level biodiesel fuel blends (B5 and B20) under Canadian conditions. The biodiesel emissions were compared to those produced by the vehicles operating on a commercially available diesel fuel. The results indicate that the net and relative impacts of biodiesel on exhaust emissions are small. Emission control systems on these vehicles were found to be effective at reducing emissions of various pollutants, although any additional impacts of biodiesel fuel in vehicles equipped with these devices remain to be determined.

The ERMS scientists and engineers completed the study in collaboration with the Fuels Assessment Section of Health Canada and with support from the Analysis and Air Quality Section (AAQS) of Environment Canada.

The Government of Canada put in place a 2% renewable content requirement in diesel and heating oil on July 1, 2011, as outlined in the Regulations Amending the Renewable Fuels Regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The use of biodiesel fuel in Canada will modify the profile of vehicle exhaust emissions in comparison to petroleum diesel fuel.

Environment Canada’s ERMS continues to collaborate with Health Canada on the investigation of renewable fuels related health/vehicular emissions pathways and the overall impacts of vehicular emissions on human health.

Contact: Debbie Rosenblatt, (613) 998-9590, Debbie.Rosenblatt@ec.gc.ca, Emissions Research and Measurement, Air Quality Research Division