Pollution Cut

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31983, 9 May 1969, Page 9

Pollution Cut

'THE United States motor x industry has now won the main part of the battle against air pollution from cars, according to a Chrysler Corporation engineer, Mr C. Heinen. Emissions from new cars had ben reduced to the point where they were not a menace to health, he said. The motor industry in the United States is concerned about the future expenditure that will be needed if emission levels are to be reduced much further, and Mr Heinen said there was now reasonable doubt about the need for further huge expenditures. Since 1961, emissions of hydrocarbons had been reduced by about 80 per cent, and emissions of carbon monoxide had been cut by 70 per cent, he said. The manufacturers said the level of emissions would be reduced even further in 1971 and 1972 car models.

“Without evidence, and largely by ignoring scientific and engineering knowledge, the air pollution scare specialists are still trying to convince the public that automobile emissions are a serious menace to health and life,” Mr Heinen said. “It is our responsibility as automotive engineers to tell the publie that this is simply not true”

Reducing the remaining exhaust emissions would be difficult, and very expensive for car buyers, he said. The question was how much further reduction was really necessary.

THE MOBIL Oil Company has announced two new oil-fleld discoveries in Libya. Between them, the two produce 1700 barrels a day.