Question : CANCER POTENCY LEVEL DUE TO EXHAUST FROM DIESEL

(a) whether a new study conducted by the Government for Science and Environment (CSE) has revealed that the cancer potency level of the exhaust from diesel vehicles in India is double than that of petrol run vehicles;

(b) if so, whether the result of the Swedish Study is further supported by evidence from another study by German Federal Environment Agency, which has found diesel to be several dozen times more cancer causing than petrol; and

(c) if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard and the remedial measures the Government propose to take in this direction?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI BABU LAL MARANDI)

(a), (b) &(c) : The Government is aware of the studies. However, the studies may not be sufficient to establish conclusively the relative cancer potency level of exhausts from diesel vehicles, compared to petrol driven vehicles. The measures taken/ proposed to be taken to control the vehicular pollution includes the following:

-	Stringent emission standards were notified for motor vehicles.
-	Supply of better quality of fuel having low sulphur content.
-	Adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as auto fuel.
-	Promotion of use of clean fuel and battery operated vehicles.
-	Optimisation of traffic flow and development of road infrastructure.
-	Commissioning of environmental epidemiological studies.
-	Strengthening of air quality monitoring and surveillance system.