Health effects of diesel exhaust

This paper, based on a literary research, focuses on current knowledge of diesel exhaust (DE), from both carcinogenic and non cancer, epidemiological and experimental research. DE is a pervasive airborne contaminant that continues to be widespread in industrialised and developing countries, and contributes significantly to outdoor pollution. In fact, in addition to occupational exposure, the wide use of diesel engines in transportation provides significant opportunity for environmental exposure to these emissions. Both the gaseous and particulate components contain mutagens and carcinogens, and for this reason most studies on the health effects of DE have focussed on the issue of its role in cancer. However, health concerns about diesel exhaust relate not only to cancer, but also to respiratory diseases, such as airway inflammation and the possibility of contracting asthma and chronic bronchitis. All of these have been investigated experimentally and epidemiologically. There are also observations supporting the hypothesis that persistent exposure to particulate air pollution from motor vehicles is one important factor contributing to the allergy pandemic.