Vehicle Emissions Test (VET)

Another Environmental Fraud

by W. Ed Parker (Kentucky)

The leading United States environmental organization, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has a history of deceit, lies and fraud!

For example, it was recently reported by the Kentucky Journal of Commerce and Industry, August 6, 1998, "EPA Lied," in reference to "Secondary Smoke Inhalation" of tobacco. As reported, the EPA, with support from the American Cancer Society, fabricated data to support cancer claims for this reason.

The EPA , which led the fight to outlaw Freon (R-11 and R-12), and which cost $5 trillion on a world wide basis, made false claims that Freon rises into the atmosphere and chemically reacts with Ozone. Freon, in all forms, is heavier than air and cannot, by the simple laws of gravity or basic physics, rise into the atmosphere.

References on this subject include:

1. Manufacturing Meltdown in America, by this author.
2. Reports by the Council for Environmental Balance, headed up by Dr. I. W. Tucker, retired Professor from the University of Louisville.
3. Environmental Overkill, by Dr. Dixie Lee Ray.

The "Earth Warming" data is also fabricated by the EPA, as there is no scientific basis in fact to support their claims. Average annual temperatures have not changed more than one half of one degree Fahrenheit in the past one hundred years, based on published weather information.

Since 1970, there has been a slight cooling trend. It has been only about thirty years since these same people were predicting we would all freeze to death.

Biodiversity "colored maps" which have been drawn up under EPA direction, are paid for out of your tax funds. These maps define areas of "Habitats" which will essentially separate people from other creatures. The EPA plan is to move people, willing or not, into these habitats to fit the needs of the"Elite Governmental Agents", as well as to enhance the lives of their chosen non-human creatures. After looking at the above facts, why would anyone believe in the need for the Jefferson County [Kentucky] VET [Vehicle Emissions Test] program. Thus, closer scientific scrutiny shows that there is no honor, truth, or reason behind Local State or National EPA regulations!

Let us look seriously at the local VET.

The data published by local officials is based primarily on so called "Ozone" problems. Therefore, let us first define Ozone; which, when formed, is an Oxygen compound containing three Oxygen Atoms (O3).

The air that we breath is composed primarily of Oxygen molecules consisting of two Oxygen atoms (O2) and Nitrogen. Ozone is formed in our upper air when certain ultra-violet Sun rays strike Oxygen molecules (O2) and split them in half; forming single unstable Oxygen atoms. These unstable oxygen atoms quickly attach themselves to other Oxygen molecules, thus forming Ozone (O3).

Common sense tells us that, on hot, sunny days, there is more sunlight, which forms more Ozone. This phenomena is a natural occurrence and one which is totally unassisted by the EPA or the other "Environmental Elite"; and this natural process is largely unaffected by impurities in the air.

A review of the local data shows that Ozone levels go up during hot, sunny, humid days. On these type days, which are rare, Ozone levels will exceed the midpoint of the EPA scale; but only for short periods of time; from one to six hours.

At this point, it can be noted that we do not need local EPA type people to tell us when it is hot, sunny, and humid as people can find this out for themselves by going outside their air conditioned homes and offices.

The local, Jefferson County, air pollution measurements are taken seriously by local workers who do their jobs as directed. However, these measurements do not reflect the actual levels of air pollution caused by Jefferson County people.

The basic reason for this is atmospheric tests are taken between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM. These same hours, incidentally, are the same as those worked by those making the measurements, according to their reports.

On the other hand, these same readings, taken at night between the hours of 5 PM and 8 AM, show lower Ozone readings; but higher overall pollution levels which can scientifically be due to impurities in the air.

During night hours there is less effect from sunlight. Air warmed by the sun, or by other means, holds more moisture and other pollutants than cooler night air. At night, as air cools, it allows moisture and other pollutants to fall to the earth in the form of dew and frost.

Based on measurements by others, pollution levels are normally higher at 4 AM than they are a 4 PM, or at any other time of day. So, one may ask, where does the 4 AM air come from? Most Jefferson County people, or about ninety five per cent of them, sleep during the period from about 11 PM to about 6 to 8 AM. Thus, in Jefferson County, there are fewer cars running at 4 AM than at 4 PM. Yet pollution levels are higher!

It is now quite apparent that testing cars in Jefferson County does not improve air quality at 4 AM. Air pollution at 4 AM comes from outside of Jefferson County, because air moves across the county, usually from west to east, in two to five hours.

Thus, any true improvements made in local air quality would need to be made in the vast areas outside of Jefferson County.

Where there is often a haze in the Louisville area; there is almost always "blue haze" over our eastern mountains. the latter phenomenon is caused by the natural action of trees; which absorb pollutants from the air such as CO2 (carbon dioxide) and give off Oxygen. As shown earlier, Ozone is derived from Oxygen.

Now, let us [consider] the infamous "Ozone Chart" for the local area which is published by the Jefferson County Pollution Control Organization. It shows a midpoint of 0.12 PPM as stated, but the upper level, the Alert Level, is 0.20 PM. At no time does their chart show Ozone levels reaching the Alert Level.

Yet, there have been many cases when an 0.12 PPM reading has been inferred to the public as an actual alert. Again, at no time has there been an actual alert. Further, it is unlikely anyone will notice if the level reaches 0.20; unless the Local Media makes a big stink out of it.

Unless sun light levels increase for some reason not known, it does not appear likely we will reach the 0.20 PPM level. One, therefore, can conclude that EPA Ozone measurements are unrealistic at best, and at worst an outright fraud!

Therefore, it is reasonable to ask at this point, who gains from local EPA tests?

•  Most notably, the private owners of the VET measurement centers gain. The chief VET tester is now a millionaire, and his stock holders, not  generally known, are doing well. VET workers are well paid.

•  Consumers loose, as they are forced by local officials to get in line and be tested, and to pay for their tests. Further, they have to pay to have their cars fixed if they fail.

•  The News Media gains, since they have something to talk about in their  news and weather reports.

•  EPA and other Environmental Elite gain, as their political and social agendas for more and more People Control is advanced.

•  Ashland Oil and its suppliers gain by selling their RFG gasoline at a premium price; supported by government decrees which guarantee their bottom line profits.

Data published by the Council for Environmental Balance, in 1982, by a group of retired college professors, pointed out that improvements in air quality by 1980 were "more than adequate to meet human needs"; and there has been improvement since that time.

If the EPA and its supporters are serious about improved air quality, as opposed to people control, they need to fund more research on improving hydrocarbon fuel efficiency. Further, more research needs to be done on true scientific causes of air pollution.

The [Kentucky] Taxpayers Party recommends that the local VET program be scrapped, along with "the Ashland Oil Welfare Program" or as it is locally known, the RFG gasoline program.

At the national level, the EPA should be replaced with a Science Advisory Agency; composed of nationally recognized scientists, independent of bureaucratic and industry control This Agency would report directly to the U.S. Congress.

W. Ed Parker is an Environmental Engineer.