DieselNet. (Forum).

As public transportation providers and corporate fleet managers search for the most fuel-efficient heavy trucks and buses, and as policy makers work to regulate such vehicles' emissions in an effort to reduce air pollution, all are confronted by the pros and cons of using diesel engines. Diesel engines are powerful, durable, and efficient--more efficient in using fuel than the natural gas engines being proposed as alternatives--and they emit less carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. On the other hand, diesel engines emit particulate matter and other pollutants that can trigger asthma attacks and worsen respiratory diseases such as emphysema. These pollutants have also been linked to increased rates of lung and bladder cancer, strokes, heart disease, and certain kinds of birth defects.

To keep those involved in diesel engine regulation, production, and consumption up to date on the latest trends, Ecopoint, a Canadian consulting firm specializing in mitigating internal combustion engine emissions, has developed the DieselNet website, located at http://www.dieselnet.com/. The site is a resource for practical knowledge for resolving diesel emission-related problems and developing cleaner diesel technologies.

The homepage features a list of the most current news items in the field, including regulatory updates, newly published scientific papers, and information on upcoming conferences. Forums--one for discussing general diesel topics and one devoted to issues of occupational exposures and sampling methods--are also accessible through this page.

For the lay reader, a glossary of over 150 need-to-know diesel terms and acronyms is provided, ranging from air toxics to zero emission vehicle. For the industry expert, links to a number of online technical reports and to academic, industry, and government research programs are available. Experts may also consult the DieselNet Technology Guide, which contains information accessible through headings such as Diesel Emissions (including documents on characterization and measurement of emissions as well as health and environmental effects), Particulate Filters, and Clean Diesel Engine.

The Emissions Standards page lists links to diesel emission standards for a number of governing bodies in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Australia. While only regulations for on-road vehicles and emissions are available for some of the countries, other additional categories are provided for others. From this page, visitors can also access an elementary overview of certain classes of regulated standards.