Ethanol and Health Risks

Filed in archive Biofuel on April 28, 2007

I heard this argument before. Here is another article that talks about it.

The main argument here is that a high blend of ethanol and gasoline poses the same risk to public health than pure gasoline. A recent study puts the 2020 scenario (that not-so-distant year when ethanol-fueled vehicles are expected to be widely available) in perspective by looking at what comes out of the tail pipe of ethanol-using vehicles. Several scientists "coughed" after looking at the results of the computer simulations.
For one, using more ethanol blends lowered the levels of two carcinogens, benzene and butadiene. But it increased formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Cancer rates are therefore similar whether or not we use ethanol. Ozone also increased which decreases lung capacity. That's two health effects already and the scientists believe there will be more, if we use ethanol.

My take is, is you have tolerated inhaling gasoline fumes for so long and knew that you are destroying the planet in the process, wont you try to do something to save at the very least one of them? Hey you can protect your health by not driving a car which is impractical for a lot of us. But protect the environment while driving is definitely do-able and more acceptable!

What is your take on the issue?