In 1998, the Environmental Protection Agency [1] set standards for lowering emissions of pollutants for commercial and recreational marine engines. In many areas of the country, marine engines are the highest contributors of the ground-level ozone pollutants oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons.
In order to further reduce pollution of these respiratory system irritants, the EPA has developed a list of tips for pollution prevention:
- Limit engine operation at full throttle
- Eliminate unnecessary idling
- Close the vent on portable gas tanks when the engine is not in use
- Prepare engines properly for winter storage
For more information and tips please visit the EPA's Boating Pollution Prevention webpage [2].
Also check out the EPA's Nonroad Engines, Equipment and Vehicles page [3] for information on emissions.