The emissions from compressed natural gas (CNG)-run buses have the potential for causing cancers in human beings due to the presence of ‘nanocarbon’ particles.
This has been revealed by a study conducted by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in India, though it is based on a limited sample size in Delhi, according to a report by the Economic Times.
CSIR director general Dr M O Garg has already apprised the Indian government of the issue and raised alarm in this connection.
"Natural gas is supposed to be a clean fuel when used in internal combustion engines, right? But, I don't think people realize that what you see (smoke) is perhaps better than what you don't see (no smoke from CNG vehicles).
"We did a study with a professor of Alberta University, who have developed a device to measure and analyze particles emitted by vehicles. We have installed this machine on the exhaust of a natural gas-run DTC bus in Delhi.
"Can you imagine that we found nanocarbon particles coming out of from natural gas combustion. These particles are moving around in the atmosphere and going straight into your lungs through your nose. It then enters into your blood through membranes."
This study has the potential for changing the perception that natural gas may be categorized under clean fuel, he said and added nanocarbon particles are carcinogenic.