A green body today said diesel technology and fuels in transport sector need drastic transformation to protect public health, while claiming that CSIR has "misrepresented" the findings of a study which states that CNG buses are more harmful than diesel buses.
According to the study conducted by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), natural gas (CNG)-run buses are harmful for humans as they emit 'nano carbon' particles which can cause cancer.
Referring to the study jointly carried out by CSIR, IIP- Dehradun and University of Alberta, green advocacy body Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) claimed the findings have been misrepresented by CSIR and it is a "motivated campaign" against CNG buses in the country.
"CSIR has claimed that CNG buses emit more ultrafine particles than diesel buses and are a health hazard. When CSE obtained the draft findings of their study, it shows that the conventional CNG buses have already achieved emissions levels for all pollutants including ultrafine particle number very close or better than Euro VI emissions standards that are yet to be implemented," CSE said.
It claimed that the actual findings that are yet to be released show how the same findings give an entirely a different message.
"Without a proper review of the actual findings of the study, misleading conclusions have been projected in the public domain to confuse policymakers and people. Diesel technology and fuels need the most drastic transformation in Indian transport sector today to protect public health," it said.
CSE said that based on its own finding, CSIR should advise the government to leapfrog to Euro VI emissions standards including the standards for particle count and not undercut the CNG programme.
