Influence of ethanol on genotoxic emissions of a GDI vehicle

Alcohol-based fuels are promising substitutes for petrol-based fuels to be used in internal combustion engines. Blending of ethanol with gasoline increases the oxygen content of the fuel, allowing a more complete combustion and hence reducing the emissions of several pollutants, but it is not clear if emissions of genotoxic compounds and therefore, the genotoxic potential of an exhaust are also reduced. The gasoline direct injection technology is quickly replacing traditional port fuel injection technologies due to enhanced fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. However, substantial emissions of soot-like particles have been reported in literature. In this study we compared emissions of a Euro-5 GDI vehicle (1.6 L) when operated with gasoline (EO) and two ethanol/gasoline blends (E10 and E85) under transient conditions and study the effects on particle and emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including those reported to be genotoxic.