Biodiesel Would Have Saved Us From the Toxic Queensland Oil Spill

The toxic mess of oil spills, like the recent one off the Queensland coast, and the deaths of hundreds of Australians who die every year from breathing diesel fumes, could be avoided if we replaced petroleum diesel fuel with biodiesel. Furthermore, as we can produce it ourselves, we wouldn't be held to ransom by foreign oil companies.

Biodiesel is non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, biodegradable and comparatively free of the sulphur and harmful aromatics in petroleum diesel.

According to the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Guidelines in its Registry of the Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances, an accidental biodiesel spill into the sea will not harm marine life.

The smell of biodiesel is much more tolerable than that of petroleum diesel to those exposed to it. Biodiesel users also report having no eye irritation, and contact with biodiesel does not contribute to skin cancer.

Biodiesel has a much higher flash point than petroleum diesel, so is safer to store and transport.

Even when only blended with regular diesel, biodiesel lubricates better and so lengthens the working life of engines.

One Nation says: save lives, protect our beaches, help our balance of payments, give us cleaner air and support our local farmers by encouraging an Australian-owned biodiesel industry.