An Environment Agency advisory panel wants the government to revise legislation controlling nitrogen oxide emissions to include diesel exhaust particulate matter, according to a copy of a report obtained by Kyodo News on Saturday.

The Central Environment Council urges in its report that the suspected carcinogen be controlled along with nitrogen oxide, which is regulated by the Automobile Nitrogen Oxide Reduction Law.

Based on the panel's report, the agency is expected to submit a bill to revise the law to the next ordinary Diet session, which starts in January.

Exhaust emissions from diesel vehicles are believed to cause asthma and other respiratory diseases.

The panel's report also proposes that Nagoya and its vicinities be included in the law as an area in which emissions are to be controlled.

The law, which took effect in late 1992 with the aim of reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by encouraging motorists to buy cars that use cleaner-burning fuel, currently covers Tokyo and the prefectures of Osaka and Hyogo.

It sought to achieve reduction targets in nitrogen dioxide emissions by the year 2000 in Tokyo, Osaka, Hyogo and other areas. The law has been ineffective, however, and it remains extremely difficult to fulfill target figures in these areas.

The report also urges the government to compel firms that operate trucks to formulate plans incorporating the introduction of low-emissions vehicles. It also seeks to reduce emissions by companies that ship products via diesel vehicles.

The report calls for reducing the suspended particulate matter "as much as possible," but fails to indicate a specific target.

In a further effort to reduce diesel exhaust emissions, the panel proposes that diesel vehicles be prevented from entering certain zones and that special plans be drawn up to tackle severe pollution in areas such as intersections.

The report also calls for measures to facilitate the installment of diesel filters and the establishment of a certification system in this regard.

In a bid to promote sales of environment-friendly vehicles, it proposes a system requiring automakers to disclose information on the average amount of emissions produced by their cars. It does not, however, suggest the government set binding emissions standards.