Biodiesel’s role in improving air quality was the focus of a lung association forum last week, according to a release from the National Biodiesel Board.

Leaders of health and environmental organizations met with government officials and industry representatives at the first Air Quality and Alternative Transportation Fuel Forum, where they learned about the important role biodiesel can play in reducing harmful emissions and improving air quality and human health. Hosted by American Lung Association of the District of Columbia, American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest and American Lung Association of the Southwest, the Forum was held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

At the forum, Dr. Robert McCormick, U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory Principal Engineer, presented the latest biodiesel emissions data, reporting that a blend of 20 percent biodiesel (B20) can reduce particulate matter emissions by more than 20% based on heavy duty vehicle testing, that biodiesel blends significantly reduce toxic compound emissions and that use of B20 can reduce life-cycle carbon dioxide emissions by 19%.