Will Ethanol Cause More Pollution???

Filed in archive Biofuel on April 24, 2007

Here is a piece of the report from the New York Times, last April 18 entitled, Ethanol May Cause Smog, Deaths!

"Switching from gasoline to ethanol -- touted as a green alternative at the pump may create dirtier air, causing slightly more smog-related deaths, a new study says. Nearly 200 more people would die yearly from respiratory problems if all vehicles in the United States ran on a mostly Ethanol fuel blend by 2020, the research concludes.

Apparently, the reason is an increase in Ozone levels, due to the high ozone-forming capability of Ethanol.

But the quick take here is, would a 180 degree shift be possible? Unlikely. I would still rather die of ozone poisoning than skin cancer.

What do you guys think?