In the tunnelling and construction sector, pressures to reduce toxic exhaust emissions arise from two main perspectives: The need to provide a safe working environment for employees The increasing focus on the wider issues of corporate and social responsibility The importance of exhaust emission control when working underground was recognised many years ago.

Reportedly workers building a tunnel to divert the Colorado River as part of the great Hoover Dam project in the 1930's were frequently made ill by carbon monoxide gas emitted from the exhausts of the trucks they were using. In recent years concerns have grown over the health implications of inhaling fine diesel particulate matter, which can be present at a much greater concentration than normal when diesel engines are run in confined spaces.

An additional safety issue relevant to using vehicles underground is that of visibility. If this is partially impaired by diesel exhaust smoke, then traffic accidents become more likely.

Looking after the health and wellbeing of employees was a welcome start on the path towards good corporate citizenship, but these days companies are judged on a much broader range of measures. Large construction companies in particular need to maintain a reputation for being both environmentally responsible and considerate neighbours if they are to obtain planning consents and publicly funded contracts. This is a challenge in an industry which is inherently dusty, noisy and energy-intensive.

Fortunately, technologies now exist which can make a big impact on the main categories of toxic substances emitted from the exhausts of the diesel engines which predominate in this sector. The following table illustrates what can be achieved:

For further information about products available from Blackthorn, please click on the links below.

Catalytic converters - compression-ignition
Diesel particle filters

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