Lowdown on new emissions testing planned for motorists
by Bernie Scheffler, editor-in-chief

    Last Month, Texas began stricter vehicle emissions testing in the Houston-Galveston and Dallas-Fort Worth areas, which have been declared ozone “non-attainment” areas by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

   Emissions standards have been tightened in response to the EPA’s findings.

   Ground-level ozone is the major contributor to smog and poses public health risks when levels are too high.

   Children, the elderly, people with respiratory illnesses (such as asthma) and people who are active outdoors have the highest risk of health problems resulting from ground-level ozone pollution.

   Beyond health risks, Texans also face possible federal sanctions if air quality does not meet EPA standards by 2007.

   Such sanctions include the probable withdrawal of all federal highway funding.

   Two types of emissions tests are being given in an effort to reduce automobile pollution.

   Of the more than 1,000 service stations that performed the old emissions tests, only about 700 purchased the equipment to perform the new tests. The new tests require new equipment at a total cost of around $40,000.

   The Acceleration Simulation Mode (ASM2) test, for model years 1995 or older, measures emissions in simulated driving conditions.

   Vehicles will fail the ASM2 test if there is an excessive amount of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen.

   These three pollutants are the most common factors in ground-level ozone formation.

   The On-Board Diagnostic II test (OBDII) is a more sophisticated test for models 1996 and newer.

   Newer vehicles feature computers that monitor fuel, ignition and emission system components and adjust and record system operations. The OBDII uses the computer to quickly and accurately check emissions-related components.

   When there is an emissions-related malfunction, a diagnostic code is recorded in the computer’s memory. Experts say this allows mechanics to fix minor problems that would otherwise have gone unnoticed and become more serious.

   Officials hope the new improved tests will help continue the reduction of ozone levels in Texas’ non-attainment areas.

   Levels have dropped since 1999, when ozone was at a near all-time high in Dallas-Fort Worth.

   The last two years, however, have shown little improvement.

   Both tests are administered in conjunction with the vehicle safety inspection required annually.

   The maximum cost of both the safety and emissions inspection is $39.50.

   Vehicles up to 24 years old must be tested each year, beginning on the vehicle’s second year-model anniversary.

   Those automobiles that do not pass emissions tests must be repaired and pass a retest before the inspection sticker is issued.