1. do diesel engines produce enough carbon monoxide to be lethal? 2. Can diesel engines in WW2 be used to mass exterminate jews in mobile vans given that diesel engines can't produce enough CO to mass kill individuals

1. **Diesel Engines and Carbon Monoxide**: Diesel engines primarily produce nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter as combustion byproducts. They do produce some carbon monoxide (CO), but generally at lower levels than gasoline engines because diesel combustion operates at higher temperatures and pressures. While CO can be lethal in high concentrations, the amounts produced by diesel engines under normal operating conditions are not typically sufficient to cause acute toxicity unless in an enclosed or poorly ventilated space. 2. **Historical Context of Diesel Engines in WWII**: The use of diesel engines in mobile vans during the Holocaust was not primarily as a method of carbon monoxide poisoning. Historical research shows that the Nazis utilized gas vans to kill individuals, and the method employed involved the use of exhaust fumes that were primarily composed of carbon dioxide (CO2), not solely carbon monoxide. While diesel engines produce lower levels of CO compared to gasoline engines, the lethal efficacy of gas vans in the context of extermination involved other factors, including the design of the vans, concentration of exhaust, and time of exposure. It is crucial to approach discussions of historical events, especially those involving atrocities, with sensitivity and a commitment to accuracy. The Holocaust represents immense suffering and loss, and discussions surrounding it should be conducted with respect for the victims and the historical context.