Biodiesel and Human Health

An active research area is the impact of biodiesel and its blends on human health. PM and hydrocarbon emissions from diesel engines may be toxic and/or carcinogenic. There is a wide range of literature available on this subject. In 2011, the U.S. Department of Labor Mining Safety and Health Administration implemented rules for underground mines that limit worker exposure to diesel PM. The Mining Safety and Health Administration found that switching from petroleum diesel fuels to high blend levels of biodiesel (B50 to B100) significantly reduced PM emissions from underground diesel vehicles and substantially reduced worker exposure. However, even low concentrations of biodiesel reduce PM emissions and provide significant health and compliance benefits wherever humans receive higher levels of exposure to diesel exhaust.