Diesel Smoke & Fumes:
Be aware of the dangers of Occupational Exposure

Problem:  Diesel exhaust is all around us but people dealing with occupational exposure have to be especially vigilant.

There is no shortage of data from scientific studies with rats and mice that diesel exhaust is carcinogenic. However, it is listed only as a "probable carcinogen" because the ever-present nature of diesel exhaust makes carcinogenicity in people extremely difficult to prove. Diesel exhaust is very strongly linked with lung cancer, especially for people who are exposed daily while on their job. Higher incidences of cancer of the bladder from on-the-job exposure to diesel fumes are also currently being examined very closely.

The table below lists a few known health impacts at various stages of study, but there is no question that diesel exhaust contains some known carcinogens and hazardous materials. Benzene, nickel and arsenic as well as 38 other components that are hazardous pollutants listed by the EPA. (compared to the 40 recently identified by the CARB) including suspected carcinogens benzo[a]pyrene, 1,3-butadiene, and formaldehyde are among many other suspected carcinogenic components of diesel exhaust. The exhaust itself is listed as a probable carcinogen by the EPA, NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health), and IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer). 

Suspected  Effects on those whose Occupations Expose them to Diesel Exhaust

Symptoms of the effect of diesel exhaust exposure can be difficult to pinpoint, since affected people can exhibit cold-like symptoms of nausea and headache, runny eyes and nose, and asthma-like responses.  Non-cancer toxicity from ongoing exposure to diesel exhaust causes such respiratory ailments as allergenic reactions, airway restrictions and reduced pulmonary function. These reactions are very similar to those caused by smoking cigarettes, however, the inhalation of diesel exhaust is involuntary. Acute exposure can cause tissue irritation and permanent respiratory damage. 

Scientists believe that the majority of the health risk from diesel exhaust is caused by Particulate Matter (PM) which can carry with it many harmful organics and metals. The PM averages 0.1 to 0.25 microns (1 x 10 ^-6 meters), with 75 percent of particles less than 1 micron. Particles in this size range are easily inhaled, resulting in possible lung cancer or non-cancerous lung damage. Although exposure usually occurs directly through breathing exhaust, particles can be deposited on skin as well. Once inside the body, the pollutants are absorbed through tissue to the bloodstream and eventually are excreted the same way other body toxins are.  The EPA and Harvard School of Public Health as well as other experts in public health estimate that particulates in the air are responsible for at least 60,000 premature deaths in the U.S. each year.

Solution: Levels of exposure are an important consideration.  Let our engineers help with the calculations.