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Did you know? The pollution generated by a single truck without an SCR system on a single trip can be equivalent to that of 200 gasoline-powered vehicles covering the same distance. On a typical route, a truck without SCR emits NOx levels approximately 20 times higher than a truck equipped with SCR.
Monthly Calculation
Average NOx emissions by vehicle type:
- Diesel truck without SCR system: Can emit between 5 g/km and 10 g/km of NOx
- Diesel truck with SCR system: Between 0.2 g/km and 0.4 g/km
- Gasoline car: Approximately 0.05 g/km of NOx (according to EPA data)
If the truck drives 200 km per day = 6,000 km per month
A truck without SCR will emit:
10 g/km × 6,000 km = 60 kg of NOx
That equals:
60,000 g ÷ 0.05 g/km = 1,200,000 km driven by gasoline cars.
- So, in one month, a single truck without SCR emits as much NOx as 1.2 million km driven by gasoline-powered cars.
NOx emissions not only contribute to smog and declining air quality, but also combine with other compounds to form acid rain and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is especially harmful to human health.
Economic and Public Health Impact
Economic Impact:
NOx emissions have both direct and indirect costs to society. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and public health studies:
The estimated social cost per ton of NOx released into the atmosphere is approximately $12,000 USD, which includes:
- Health care costs (hospitalizations, respiratory disease treatments)
- Loss of work productivity due to illness
- Environmental damage (crop losses, soil acidification)
Public Health Impact:
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are responsible for multiple health issues:
- Increased risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases
- Continuous exposure can lead to chronic illnesses like emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, and COPD
- Higher rates of asthma and respiratory diseases
In areas with high traffic of trucks without SCR, there are 30% more emergency visits due to respiratory problems.
Estimated Medical Costs:
- Asthma treatment: $500 – $1,000 per episode
- Hospitalization for respiratory infections: $8,000 – $15,000
- Chronic disease treatment: up to $20,000 annually
Impact on Vulnerable Groups
Children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions are the most affected.
Pregnant women exposed to high NOx levels may face increased risk of complications.
Conclusion
A single truck without SCR, driving 6,000 km per month, generates:
- $8,640 USD annually in social costs due to pollution
- Additional medical and health-related costs that are not directly quantified but potentially high
- Environmental damage that affects soil, vegetation, and contributes to climate change
Removing the SCR system not only violates environmental regulations—it also poses a direct risk to public health. That’s why at Noxguard, we promote the use of high-quality Automotive Urea that optimizes SCR performance and protects both the engine and the environment.
