Biodiesel less polluting than standard diesel?

I was wondering if Biodiesel is, or could be made to be less polluting out the exhaust.
To me diesel exhaust is unacceptable, way too toxic.

the stats I've heard for biodiesel: far less particulate matter, far fewer carcinogenic substances, a bit more nitrogen oxides.

so it isn't better in every regard, but definitely better on balance.

Jason Vath wrote:I was wondering if Biodiesel is, or could be made to be less polluting out the exhaust.
To me diesel exhaust is unacceptable, way too toxic.

Agreed about diesel exhaust.

As Tel has pointed out, biodiesel combustion results in less particulate emissions as well as lower poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are known carcinogens.

Here's a page and chart that wraps it up pretty well: Biodiesel Vehicle Emissions

Another big benefit of biodiesel over petroleum diesel is its relatively closed carbon cycle - meaning much less net addition to CO2 in the atmosphere. The carbon being released was fixed into the oil by the oilseed plant from the atmosphere - not a one way trip from a fossil fuel deposit that was sequestered in the earth for millennia.

We must consider the emissions from tractors on the farm and other inputs, to truly understand the emissions question.

I like oil palm. Often the only power source is a donkey.