Wrong data used to measure plant pollution

Incorrect data is being used to make the case for fitting costly diesel particulate filters (DPFs) to construction machinery.

Angry plant manufacturers in the Construction Equipment Association (CEA) have attacked the figures as "scurrilous" because they mistakenly exaggerate the threat of emissions from plant.

The row erupted after the Environmental Industries Commission - which represents DPF manufacturers - wrote to transport minister Jim Fitzpatrick urging him to adopt strict emission guidelines trialled in London across the whole country.

The document contained claims that diesel particulates from construction plant in 2005 accounted for 18% of emissions across Europe.

But the EU's 2007 Technical Review of the Non-Road Mobile Machinery Directive puts the 2005 level at 9% and predicts this will fall to 5% by 2020.

CEA spokesman Tim Faithfull said: "Construction plant is only a minor contributor. People are using examples of readings when there are high background levels of pollution. In these cases, particulates from construction plant can push the figure over the limit but they are not the major problem and it is scurrilous to suggest that they are."