CNG-run vehicles emit dangerous nanocarbon, can cause cancer: CSIR study

NG — “Compressed natural gas” that came into effect to stop the pollution coming out diesel vehicles. Although it did result into reduction in pollution and a cleaner city but it affects human in a different way. According to a new research by CSIR — Council of Scientific and Industrial Reseach, CNG run vehicles emit “nanocarbons” that can cause cancer.

Editor : Joseph YANCY
Category : SCIENCE07 August 2015 / Friday 08:27:55

A study conducted by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) claims buses that run on compressed natural gas (CNG) emit 'nanocarbon' particles that can cause cancer. While the study was conducted on a limited sample size in Delhi, CSIR alerted the central government due to the severity of the threat it poses to the health of the residents.

The study was conducted along with a professor from Alberta University, who has developed a device to measure and analyze particles emitted by vehicles. This machine was installed on the exhaust of a natural gas-run DTC bus in Delhi.

Dr MO Garg, Director General, CSIR, believes the study can change the perception that natural gas is a clean fuel as it does not emit any visible smoke, which is in contrast to smoke emitted by diesel-run vehicles and perceived as harmful for humans.

He explained, "Natural gas is supposed to be a clean fuel when used in internal combustion engines, right? But, I don't think people realize that what you see (smoke) is perhaps better than what you don't see (no smoke from CNG vehicles). Can you imagine that we found nanocarbon particles coming out of from natural gas combustion. These particles are moving around in the atmosphere and going straight into your lungs through your nose. It then enters into your blood through membranes."

Dr Garg said these nanocarbon particles are carcinogenic, and the government has been alerted about its effects.

"Imagine what will be its effect when all the commercial vehicles, such as buses, run on natural gas in Delhi. You can see smoke coming out from diesel engine and tell that it is dangerous. But, nanocarbon particles coming out from vehicles is something we need to look at," Garg added.