US EPA

1317264 

Journal Article 

Diesel Exhaust Odor And Irritants: A Review 

Cernansky, NP 

1983 

Yes 

Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association
ISSN: 0002-2470 

NIOSH/00143836 

33 

2 

97-104 

Odor and irritant emissions from diesel exhausts are reviewed. The sense of smell is defined as a function of two organs in the nose: the olfactory epithelium, and an organ consisting of the free endings of the trigeminal nerve distributed throughout the nasal cavity. Effects on the two organs are different. Human sensory responses to individual components in the atmosphere are described; they vary widely and differ among components and among individuals. Sensory responses to complex mixtures cannot be predicted on the basis of responses to individual compounds. Diesel odors and total intensity of aroma for diesel odors are compared. Dose dependence of diesel exhaust odor is shown. Odor intensity and character are evaluated. Analytical measurements using chromatographic separation of exhaust gases are examined. Some compounds contributing to diesel odor are identified. They include oxygenated compounds, hydroxy and methoxy indanones, methyl phenols and methoxy phenols, furans, alkyl benzaldehydes, and aliphatic aldehydes. Some of the species present in diesel exhaust are classified as irritants, and include: nitrogen-dioxide (10102440), sulfuric-acid (7664939), formaldehyde (50000), acrolein (107028), and phenol (108952). Odor and emission data is summarized for diesel engines and for test fuels and average fuel properties. Diesel emissions over a city driving cycle are analyzed by fuel composition and exhaust gas recirculation. Comparisons are made with gasoline engines; properly operating catalyst equipped gasoline powered engines should not have an odor emission problem. 

DCN-131213; Research; Quantitative analysis; Analytical chemistry; Respiratory irritants; Diesel exhausts; Combustion products; Trace analysis; Chromatographic analysis; Environmental pollution; Control methods; Air quality