Diesel Fumes Pose Dangerous Health Risks, Study Shows

Photo by Kayla Webley

By Kayla Webley
Medill News Service
April 6, 2008

How many times a day do you smell diesel exhaust?

On a random Tuesday a reporter counted five instances where the odor of diesel was unmistakable.
The first time was near a construction site for a new hospital, and the next two times were by road construction sites.The fourth time occurred  while riding a shuttle bus.  And a fifth time happened when a driver revved up his  diesel truck.

While such minimal exposure is not likely harmful, those who work as truck drivers, bridge and tunnel workers, mine workers, farm workers, forklift drivers, railroad and dock workers, construction workers and garage workers may be at risk of developing significant health problems.

“If you’re on an interstate going through the middle of Chicago – good God – every other car is a diesel powered semi-trailer truck,” said Michael Mark, executive director of the American Lung Association of Greater Chicago. “That exposure, over a long period of time, is detrimental to those individuals.”

Studies of  those  constantly exposed  to diesel exhaust found their risk of lung cancer increased by up to 50 percent, said Michael Thun, chief epidemiologist for the American Cancer Society, on the organization’s Web site.
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