Lake County to curb diesel emissions

Lake County will fit heavy trucks with special equipment this fall to substantially cut diesel emissions.

The county applied for and was awarded a Clean Diesel grant of more than $70,000 from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, which will fund the work.

"It's basically a 100-percent reimbursement to retrofit our heavy trucks with two types of pollution control equipment," said Al Giertych, assistant county engineer.

The money will be used to install oxidation catalysts and closed crankcase ventilation systems on 18 vehicles. The catalyst is similar to a catalytic converter, Giertych said.

"In simple terms, it raises the temperature of the exhaust to a high degree so it neutralizes the pollutants," he said.

The crank case equipment filters pollutants. Most of the emissions, including hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds, are cut from about 60 percent to 99 percent when the equipment is installed.

"They're both nice improvements," Giertych said.

The county retrofitted some trucks a few years ago. Installation of this equipment will complete the remaining heavy trucks that haven't been converted, which supports the county's green initiative.

Studies have shown diesel emissions pose a health threat to children, the elderly, those with respiratory illnesses and others who are routinely exposed to particulate emissions, according to the IEPA.

The agency received $1.7 million in federal stimulus funds as part of a national clean diesel campaign.