Exhaust gas

Exhaust gas is gas which occurs as a result of combustion of fuel such as gasoline/petrol, diesel or coal. It is discharged to atmosphere through an exhaust pipe or chimney.

Although much of it is relatively harmless carbon dioxide, part of it is noxious or toxic substances, such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides (NO_x), and particulate matter. Diesel exhaust has a characteristic smell.

Emission standards often focus on reducing pollutants contained in exhaust gas.

In steam engine terminology the exhaust is steam that no longer has the capacity to do useful work, i.e. literally exhausted.

See also

* Automobile emissions control
* Catalytic converter
* Diesel Particulate Matter
* Global warming

External links

* U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration: Safety and Health Topics: Diesel Exhaust
* Diesel Exhaust Particulates: Reasonably Anticipated to Be A Human Carcinogen
* Scientific Study of Harmful Effects of Diesel Exhaust: Acute Inflammatory Responses in the Airways and Peripheral Blood After Short-Term Exposure to Diesel Exhaust in Healthy Human Volunteers