United States Air and Radiation EPA420-F-96-003
Environmental Protection July 1996
Agency
EPA Consumer Information
Cleaner marine engines will soon be available to boaters.
You can be more environmentally friendly by following a few tips
when using your boat.
You Can Make a Difference In Preventing Marine Engine Pollution
Currently 12 million marine engines are operated in the United States.
These marine engines are among the highest contributors of hydrocarbons
(HC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions in many areas of the country.
HC and NOx produce ground-level ozone, which irritates the respiratory
system causing chest pain and lung inflammation. Ozone can also aggravate
existing respiratory conditions such as asthma. Boaters can join many
others who are working to make a difference in preventing pollution
from marine engines.
Improving the Marine Engine
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to develop
and implement emission standards for commercial and recreational marine
engines. The marine industry has been working to develop technology
for a new generation of low emission, high performance engines. Recreational
boaters will begin seeing this new generation of engines in coming
years.
Boaters Can Prevent Pollution
Even with the new technology, the cooperation of individual boaters
is essential in the effort to improve air quality and prevent pollution.
Boaters can make a difference that will help protect the environment
now and in the future by adopting the following practices:
- Limit engine operation at full throttle.
- Eliminate unnecessary idling.
- Avoid spilling gasoline.
- Use a gasoline container you can handle easily and hold securely.
- Pour slowly and smoothly.
- Use a funnel or a spout with an automatic stop device to prevent
overfilling the gas tank.
- Close the vent on portable gas tanks when the engine is not
in use or when the tank is stored.
- Transport and store gasoline out of direct sunlight in a cool,
dry place.
- Use caution when pumping gasoline into a container at the gas
station.
- Carefully measure the proper amounts of gasoline and oil when
refueling.
- Follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule.
- Prepare engines properly for winter storage.
- Buy new, cleaner marine engines.
By combining these strategies, boaters can reduce pollution from marine
engines and help improve air quality across the nation and protect
public health.
For More Information
The EPA Office of Mobile Sources encourages additional information
be obtained electronically via the EPA Internet server or via dial-up
modem on the Technology Transfer Network (TTN), an electronic bulletin
board system (BBS).
World Wide Web: http://www.epa.gov/oms
Information is also available by calling 734-214-4333 or writing to:
U.S. EPA
Office of Mobile Sources
2565 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
last update: 20 July 1998 |
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