Latest Survey Shows E85 Will Kill Us Faster Than Conventional Fuels

Fleet-wide use of E85 in the United States could increase the number of respiratory-related deaths and hospitalizations, according to a new study by Stanford University professor Mark Jacobson. His findings are published online in the journal Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T).

Jacobson combined and air pollution/weather forecast model with future emission inventories, population data, and health effects data to examine the effect of converting from gasoline to E85 on cancer, mortality, and hospitalization in the US as a whole and Los Angeles in particular.

After accounting for projected improvements in gasoline and E85 vehicle emission controls, the study found that E85 may increase ozone-related mortality, hospitalization, and asthma by about 9% in Los Angeles (120 deaths/year with a range of 47-140/yr) and 4% in the US as a whole (185 deaths/yr with a range of 72-216/yr) relative to 100% gasoline.


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budfrogS4 - 4/18/2007 1:16:25 PM

+1 Boost

Pretty crazy. I wonder what the chemistry is behind all this production of the aldehydes. The article only cites unburned ethanol...I'm guessing there's probably a relatively inexpensive way of filtering it out of the exhaust. Probably just another overreaction to scare the public...

jon21 - 4/18/2007 1:24:59 PM

+1 Boost

uh no!

EnnNorak - 4/18/2007 2:32:14 PM

+1 Boost

Scary stuff but I was in a dealer's showroom decades ago when they revved up a Chrysler turbine car inside when Chrysler demonstrated it across the country. There was no offensive smell and nobody was poisoned. I think someone should revive turbine car technology for engine simplicity and automotive reliability. Sure, it may cost more to produce but it would be worth every penny. It's a better deal than hybrids that need very expensive battery replacement before they rust out.

rocker - 4/18/2007 3:12:17 PM

+1 Boost

It says "may cause". It's funny that our tax dollars are used to pay him.