Study: 7% biodiesel blended in regular diesel does not cause greater health risks than pure fossil diesel

Up to seven per cent biodiesel blended in regular diesel will presumably not cause greater health risks for the population than the use of pure fossil diesel. This is the main conclusion in a memorandum from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and the Climate and Pollution Control Agency (formerly SFT) to the Ministry of Health and Care Services and the Ministry of the Environment in Norway.

"A higher content of biodiesel (up to 20 per cent) requires more research to assess health effects. This must include different types of biofuels and blending ratios, as well as physical and technical factors that are relevant in Norway," said Per Schwarze from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health

A number of studies have examined the effects that blending biodiesel in regular diesel has on air emissions, especially for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates. Most reports show that NOx emissions increase slightly, but this depends on the type of biofuel and engine technology. However the particle mass in the emissions seems to decrease. The size distribution and number of particles can be changed by blending in biodiesel, which can affect health.

Knowledge about the possible health effects from the use of biofuels is limited. There have been few studies of biodiesel exhaust on humans and animals. Therefore, much is based on studies of gene and cell damage and inflammatory responses in cell cultures. Overall, the present studies suggest that there are not very large differences between the effects of biodiesel and diesel.

"However, there have been comprehensive studies in which one compares different types of biodiesel and diesel," said Schwarze

Studies indicate that the effect of processing equipment, such as particle filters, is as important as the use of diesel type. The results seem to depend on several factors, such as driving cycle, temperature, engine type, fuel mixture and filtering equipment.

For increased blending of biodiesel (up to 20-30 per cent) more research is required. This applies both to the choice of biofuels (including second generation) and different blending ratios between biodiesel and diesel in order to study possible interaction effects on health. It is also important to use engine technology and air temperatures that are relevant for Norwegian conditions in the studies.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health had primary responsibility for the health assessments in the study.