Biodiesel and the search for a balance between society, environment and healthy

Abstract

The importance of different energy matrixes in the development process of society is undeniable; however, the consumption of fossil fuels has increased atmospheric pollution and has become a serious threat to the health population. Diesel, even so its use is lower than that of gasoline, has a much more harmful emission profile. Biofuels are a present and efficient alternative in the mitigation of greenhouse gases and particulate matter in substitution of or in the mixture with fossil fuels. Researches show that the systems most affected by this pollution are the respiratory, circulatory, and reproductive. Recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that particulate matter alone is responsible for 7 million deaths worldwide, mainly due to respiratory problems. This study searched the scientific literature for the benefits of biodiesel production and the negative effects caused by air pollution. Biodiesel is capable of substantially reducing gas emissions from incomplete combustion of diesel and with the differential of carbon capture (CO₂) in the phase of soybean cultivation, the main Brazilian raw material.