Southern California Mobile Diesel Smoke Check

Background 

Each day, more than 360,000 trucking companies and independent truckers take to the road to meet the needs of America, bringing raw materials to factories and finished product to consumers all across the country. And, for over 40 years, diesel engines have been providing an efficient and economical source of power to move these goods.

It wasn’t until 1955, with the passage of the Clean Air Act, that attention was focused on air pollution. It’s 1970 amendments told a newly created U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to set national air quality standards, which are now in place for six criteria pollutants: carbon monoxide, lead, oxides of nitrogen (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC), particulates (PM), and sulfur dioxide.

Since that time, the heavy-duty diesel engines have become better for the environment. Engine manufacturers have totally redesigned their products to dramatically reduce emissions in today’s trucks, creating the potential for a virtually smokeless environment.

Despite this progress, communities and citizens have a continued concern about black smoke from diesel bus and truck engines.