EVCC's Low Emission Catalytic Muffler
Environmental Control Corporation has perfected the development of a catalytic converter that has proven to be far superior in the reduction of harmful gas emissions from small engines. The burning of fossil fuels from these engines releases harmful emissions into the atmosphere and has been linked to a variety of diseases. The continual inhalation of this air has been linked to various types of cancer, shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing and coughing, as well as many other health risks (1). Environmental repercussions stemming from the release of such harmful emissions are extreme. Climate change will result in the melting of polar ice caps, rising sea levels, unstable precipitation patterns as well as substantial heat waves and droughts which will greatly affect animal and plant life. (2)
Given that there are approximately 100 million small displacement engines currently being used in the United States, and over 20 million pieces of this equipment are sold annually in North America, millions of metric tons of pollutants are produced as a result. Often people do not consider how one country's emissions will affect another. Pollution travels on wind patterns which can carry harmful emissions across borders and continents. Pollution created in the U.S. can have devastating effects on the United Kingdom, Canada, or even Australia. The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement ratified by 163 industrialized nations to reduce collective emissions of six harmful gasses to 5.2% below 1990 levels (3). Falling short of their obligations forces the offending nations to engage in emissions trading by purchasing credits from countries which measure under the prescribed pollution levels. This arrangement rewards countries which meet and exceed their obligations and creates a financial incentive for those that do not. Any costs associated with exceeding these targets are then passed onto corporations and tax payers, but the financial costs of ignoring our pollution problems can't compare to how our health and the health of future generations will be impacted.
The following section outlines current pollution issues affecting various countries:
United States
The U.S. alone produces 25% of the world's greenhouse gases and due to underlying economical concerns, has not ratified the Kyoto accord. The U.S. government has pledged to reduce carbon intensity to 18% below current levels by 2012. However, this is simply the ratio of pollution to the amount of economic activity, meaning that the actual level of emissions is likely to rise with growth in the economy.
U.S. greenhouse gas levels have been on a steady rise since 1990 and were at an all-time peak when last measured in 2004. The American Lung Association recently issued a report which stated that over half of the U.S. population lives in counties with an unhealthy amount of smog and another 76 million Americans live in areas which are regularly exposed to unhealthy levels of short-term particle pollution. There are nearly 100 million small displacement engines being used by Americans in the form of snow blowers, trimmers, chainsaws, and lawnmowers as well as other lawn and garden equipment. According to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, lawnmowers alone make up 38 percent of these.
Japan
Japan is currently 13% above their 1990 emissions levels and will likely have to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on purchasing emissions credits from other countries in order to meet their Kyoto obligations. According to government estimates, residential emissions from equipment such as lawnmowers have grown 29%. Conversely, Japan has cut industrial pollution by 1.7% since 1990; demonstrating that the Japanese industry is not the leading cause of the rise in domestic pollution, it is in fact the most energy-efficient in the industrialized world. As a result, attempting to meet Kyoto obligations through a reduction of industrial pollution would be very costly given the already advanced energy efficient state of the industry. Any additional spending would be an extreme expense and would yield very little, if any change.
Spain
Spaniards have reason to worry about the impact of climate change. Since 1990, Spain has experienced the largest increase in greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. According to a study by the Spanish Environment Ministry, average surface temperatures have risen by more then 1.5 degrees Celsius in the past 30 years, and the number of days in which snow fell in higher elevations has declined by 41 percent. Also worthy of mention is the fact that sea levels have risen four millimeters per year, rainfall has declined, and storm and heat waves have intensified.
Not only will pollution from emissions negatively affect the environment, but it will also hurt other industry sectors. José María Baldasano Recio, Professor of engineering at Catalunya University, has warned that the impeding climate change will be very detrimental to tourism which is the driving force of the Spanish economy. If the Spaniard government is correct in their predictions, Spain's CO2 emissions will exceed those allowed under the Kyoto Protocol by 52 percent in 2008-2012.
Canada
The Canadian climate change plan committed the country to a reduction in emissions of 240 million tones by the end of 2012. Rona Ambrose, Minister of the Environment, confirmed on March 31, 2006 that "greenhouse gas emissions are up by 24 percent - a far cry from the previous government's commitment to meet a target six percent below the 1990 levels". Alarmingly, the country's emissions have not yet reached their peak; they are set to soar due to the exploitation of Alberta's oil deposits. For the above reasons, we need to take local action to affect a much needed global change.
The following chart illustrates how the 2003 emissions of some member countries compare to their Kyoto targets.
Environmental Control Corporation - Catalytic Muffler Solution
Without question, small engines are major polluters. They produce millions of tons of toxic gas emissions and pose serious health risks. As a solution to current environmental conditions, associated health concerns and as a tool in helping countries meet their sought after reduction goals under the Kyoto Protocol, Environmental Control Corporation is pioneering the introduction of an affordable catalytic muffler. Preliminary reports from Environment Canada's Emission Research and Measurement Division indicated that EVCC's catalytic muffler has reduced emissions of Total Hydrocarbons + Oxides of Nitrogen by 98.9% on a two-stoke engine. These results indicate that EVCC's catalytic muffler could significantly reduce the millions of tons of toxic gases produced annually - leading to considerable improvement of future environmental conditions.
Without motivated government leaders and manufacturers of garden equipment worldwide, these engines will continue to pollute our environment at exceedingly disproportionate levels. Clearly there is a need to find new and improved ways of addressing pollutants from small combustion engines. Part of the solution can be found right here - Environmental Control Corporation. EVCC plans to play a significant role in dramatically reducing harmful emissions and we would like you to join us. We ask that you take part in substantiating the need to recognize this problem by contacting your government representatives and garden equipment manufacturers to voice your concern.
(1) - How can air pollution hurt my health? Abstract available: here
(2) - Global Impacts. Abstract available: here
(3) - Environmentalists Say Canada Undermines Kyoto. Abstract available: here
