The American Lung Association of Illinois is one of the nation's oldest voluntary health organizations, and a leading expert on lung health issues. We have been one of the foremost proponents of renewable fuels as a cleaner burning alternative to gasoline. Although we are aware of the recently released Stanford University study on the health effects of ethanol, our experience and data suggests that ethanol blended fuels are a cleaner burning alternative to gasoline. Furthermore, leading research entities including the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy and others have tested emissions from ethanol based fuel countless times with the same conclusion: ethanol is a cleaner fuel than gasoline.

Research published in the Journal of Air and Waste Management Association shows that while ethanol-based fuels may increase emissions of aldehydes, it reduces two far more serious air pollutants linked to cancer, benzene and butadiene. Many noted experts, including Michael Wang of Argonne Laboratory, agree that using E85 rather than gasoline can reduce overall lifecycle emissions and associated cancer risk related to gasoline powered vehicles.

If you have questions regarding lung health, please contact the American Lung Association Lung Helpline at 1-800-548-8252 or visit the Lung HelpLine. Our registered nurses, respiratory therapists, and smoking cessation specialists are standing by to take your call 7 am to 9 pm (CST).

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