Minimizing the impact of motor vehicles on the environment and the health of the population of agglomerations

Purpose. To reduce the ecotoxicological impact of particulate matter (PM) on human health at public transport stops and, in the territories, adjacent to them. Methodology. To assess the state of the surface layer of the air environment polluted by PM, spatial mathematical models of toxicant dispersion fields were developed in MathCad using the solution of a semi-empirical equation of turbulent diffusion. Findings. It was proposed to add a biocomponent (biodiesel) to diesel fuel. To substantiate the effectiveness of the proposed solution, we have carried out dispersion fields modeling for the studied areas using mixed diesel fuel (with 30 % by volume of biofuel) and biodiesel for vehicles. In the case of a hypothetical replacement of the traditional diesel fuel with a bio-based fuel, the excess of the maximum permissible single concentration (MPC) for PM will decrease by 1.63 times (by 38.8 %), and when using diesel fuel with a bio-based fuel content of up to 30 % by volume – by 1.14 times (by 12.2 %). It was determined that it is more expedient to use diesel fuel with a 30 % by volume bio component, which will reduce the excess of the MPC for particulate matter and will not increase the content of nitrogen oxides in diesel engine emissions. Along with the use of a bio-component in diesel fuel, it is proposed to use biopolymer solutions based on starch or lignin and micro-green barriers in the form of moss panels. This will simultaneously solve the problem of exceeding the MPC for particulate matter in urban air and create an additional environmental effect using Originality. Based on predictive models of local pollution of the surface air layer with PM, it has been determined for the first time that the use of diesel fuel with 30 % biofuel content reduces the level of PM pollution and prevents the MPC from being exceeded, even at public transport stops and the adjacent territories. Practical value. Predictive mathematical models of PM10 dispersion can be used to determine safe distances from roads, assess environmental risks to human health, and make management decisions. The use of 30 % biofuel in diesel fuel, together with the application of biopolymer solutions and micro-green barriers will reduce PM emissions and prevent an increase in nitrogen oxide content in engine exhausts, which is typical when running vehicles on 100 % biodiesel.