The Health Effects of Diesel Fumes

In May 2002, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its health assessment for Diesel Exhaust which found diesel particulate matter to be a “likely” carcinogen. Diesel particle exposure poses a unique threat due to its compound nature, consisting of a carbon core which acts as a magnet for numerous other toxins. The result is a hazardous mixture of fine particles, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and many other toxic metals and gases.

Fine particles have been linked to a wide variety of serious health impacts, ranging from respiratory ailments such as asthma attacks to heart attacks, stroke and premature death. A recent report of the Clean Air Task Force states that approximately 21,000 people die prematurely each year due to particulate matter pollution from diesel exposure. Approximately 3,000 of these premature deaths are due to lung cancer from these exposures, as diesel exhaust presents a lung cancer risk 7.5 times higher than the cancer risks of all other air toxins combined.

Diesel Locomotives account for a significant portion of diesel emissions. The Clean Air Task Force report further states that occupational exposures to diesel are among the highest environmental exposures, primarily associated with increased incidence of lung cancer. However, a study of railroad workers suggests that diesel exposure may also have caused serious and permanent impairment to the central nervous system.

In addition to these health risks, exposure to diesel fumes may also impact an individual’s immune system, disrupting the chemical signals and production of antibodies resulting in a decreased ability to recover from illness. Furthermore, preliminary studies in animals have indicated that diesel exposure can have an adverse effect on reproduction, development and the endocrine system.

The Clean Air Task Force report represents the first quantified analysis of the death and disease attributable to diesel exposure. More information on the Annual Health Impacts of Diesel Fine Particles is available at www.catf.us/goto/dieselhealth.