Diesel Fuel Exhaust Fumes Cause Lung Cancer

Diesel engine fumes can cause lung cancer and belong in the same potentially deadly category as asbestos, arsenic, and mustard gas, according to the World Health Organization (WHO; Geneva, Switzerland).

In an announcement that caused concern in the auto industry, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC; Lyon, France; www.iarc.fr), part of the WHO, has reclassified diesel exhausts from its group 2A of probable carcinogens to its group 1 of substances that have definite links to cancer. The IARC said that it had taken into consideration recent advances in diesel technology, which had cut levels of particulates and chemicals in exhaust fumes, particularly in developed economies, but added that it was not yet clear how these might translate into health effects.

The decision, which was unanimous, was the result of a weeklong meeting of independent experts who assessed the latest scientific evidence on the cancer-causing potential of diesel and gasoline exhausts. The decision places diesel exhaust fumes in the same risk category as a number of other noxious substances, including asbestos, arsenic, mustard gas, alcohol, and tobacco. Gasoline exhaust fumes, on the other hand, continue to be classified as "probably carcinogenic to humans,” a finding that is unchanged since its previous assessment in 1989.

“The working group found that diesel exhaust is a cause of lung cancer and also noted a positive association with an increased risk of bladder cancer,” said Christopher Portier, chairman of the IARC working group, in the official statement. “Given the additional health impacts from diesel particulates, exposure to this mixture of chemicals should be reduced worldwide.”

Diesel-powered cars are mainly popular in Western Europe and India, where tax advantages have boosted technological advances and demand. In other countries, diesel engines are almost entirely confined to commercial vehicles, mostly because of the fuel's greater efficiency, resulting in a better fuel economy than equivalent gasoline engines. Diesel also produces less greenhouse gas emission, due to the intrinsic efficiency of the diesel engine. German carmakers are trying to raise awareness of the fuel in the United States, where the long distances travelled on highways suit diesel engines.

Related Links:
World Health Organization
International Agency for Research on Cancer