Researchers Find Uncovered Coal Trains Have Elevated Particulate Matter Emissions

摘要

Researchers at the University of Washington found that uncovered coal trains emit almost twice as much particulate matter on average than regular diesel-powered freight trains. The researchers, who published their findings in the journal Atmospheric Pollution Research, monitored emissions from trains in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington state for a two-month period in the summer of 2014. They found "statistically higher" peak concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) during the passage of diesel-powered open-top coal trains compared to other diesel-engine freight trains.