Characterization of diesel exhaust gases emission at construction sites

Abstract

Construction operations contribute to 6.8% of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions globally, which is mainly due to the large number of heavy diesel-engine equipment involved in the construction industry. The equipment pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide, endanger people's health and surrounding environment. This paper presents the diesel exhaust gases assessment at two selected construction areas located in Johor, The aim ofthis study is to analyze in detail the characterization of diesel exhaust gases emission at construction sites. The three main objectives are to identify the characteristics ofdiesel exhaust gases emission produced from some diesel heavy duty vehicles, to determine the relationship of the exhaust gases between two different conditions with different machineries age, and to compare the carbon dioxide emissions produced with the standard guideline of the emissions requirements recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The exhaust gases emitted from the construction machineries were measured by using Exhaust Gas Analyzer. Once the analyzer has completed the warm-up, the sample hose is connected and the sample probe is inserted in the tailpipe to measure the emission readings. The relationship ofthe exhaust gases in different conditions with different machineries age were analysed. The results show the increasing ofemission can cause by the increment of machineries age and depends on working operation . The results also shows that the recorded carbon dioxide emission levels for both machineries in Categories A and B has exceeded the Short Term Exposure Limits (STELs) for only in working condition with the highest recorded value of 51 000 ppm for Excavator B which exceeded by 21 000 ppm of the allowable STELs. Hence, it is a must to conduct regular check up on the machineries in order to control the emission levels which can be consider as concern of worry that may affect the nearby workers in terms of quality of life and health.