Clean fuel will save lives in port areas

The study, released online by Environmental Science & Technology, examined the air around the Margrethe Maersk as it followed California regulations requiring ships to switch to low-sulphur fuels and slow down as they approach the coast.

This showed a big reduction in the emissions of several worrying pollutants: “Within regulated waters absolute emission reductions exceed 88% for almost all measured gas and particle phase species,” noted the study, led by chemist Daniel Lack of the NOAA. These include sulphur dioxide and particulate matter which dropped by as much as 90% and 91% respectively.

These two readings are noteworthy because sulphur dioxide and particulates can cause both lung and heart damage. Unexpectedly, the study found that black carbon levels were also cut by 41%. Even without the unanticipated reductions, 2009 Canadian and US estimations put the number of lives that could be saved by low-sulphur initiatives at 8,300 per year across the two countries.

The authors add the implications are especially important in the light of 2012 International Maritime Organisation regulations requiring vessels to switch to lower-sulphur fuel in certain areas.

US Air Resources Board chair Mary Nichols pointed out, “When the federal regulations kick in for ships to use low-sulphur fuel, communities throughout America that live near shipping lanes and next to ports will see clean air benefits.”

Mr Lack added, “It’s important to know that the imposed regulations have the expected impacts. The regulators want to know, the shipping companies want to know, and so do the people.”