DIESEL EXHAUST

Health Effects of Diesel Exhaust
What is diesel exhaust?
􀂾 Diesel exhaust is produced when an engine burns diesel fuel.
􀂾 It is a complex cocktail of thousands of gases and particles
(PM, also commonly known as soot) that contains more than
40 toxic air contaminants.
􀂾 Diesel exhaust contains other harmful pollutants, including
nitrogen oxides that contribute to the formation of ozone.
􀂾 Since 1990, diesel exhaust has been listed as a known carcinogen under California’s Prop 65. California has formally recognized diesel exhaust particulate as a toxic air contaminant.
􀂾 A major source of particle pollution in California- over 90% of diesel emissions are estimated to be fine particles that can bypass respiratory systems and lodge deep in the lungs.
Photo taken from a presentation by Ed Avol, University of Southern California, Southern California Environmental Health Sciences Center
What are the health impacts of diesel exhaust?
􀂾 The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has determined that more than 70 percent of the cancer the average Californian faces from breathing toxic pollutants stems from diesel exhaust particulate.
􀂾 Epidemiological studies conducted in cities around the world have demonstrated a strong link between elevated particle pollution and increased death rates. CARB has linked particulate matter to 2,900 premature deaths statewide.
􀂾 CARB has linked direct exposure to diesel particulate
to 5,400 premature hospital admissions for COPD,
pneumonia, cardiovascular disease and asthma.
Who is at risk?
􀂾 Those spending time on or near roads and freeways,
truck loading and unloading operations, rail facilities,
and port operations may face particularly high levels
of diesel exhaust and consequently face higher health risks.
􀂾 The twin Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are the single largest source of toxic diesel pollution in the South Coast Air Basin. The amount of air pollution blowing inland every day from the Long Beach/Los Angeles ports is astoundingly equal to the amount of air pollution generated daily by three million cars. The pollution generated at the ports spreads throughout the basin, creating secondhand smog.
􀂾 Children are particularly vulnerable to the health risks from diesel exposure. It is well known that children raised in heavily polluted areas face the prospect of reduced lung capacity and prematurely aged lungs.
􀂾 Asthma is a serious health concern in port communities, especially among children. CARB has linked asthma with 3.3 million school absences per year in California. Missed school days affect children’s ability to learn and be successful in life.

Diesel exhaust contains more than 40 toxic air contaminants.
Diesel soot has been linked to asthma attacks and increased respiratory infections, hospitalizations, and school absences.
Effects of Some Common Air Pollutants1

Ozone (ground-level ozone is the principal component of smog)
􀂾 Source - chemical reaction of pollutants; VOCs and NOx
􀂾 Health Effects - breathing problems, reduced lung function, asthma, irritates eyes, stuffy nose, reduced resistance to colds and other infections, may speed up aging of lung tissue
􀂾 Environmental Effects - can damage plants and trees; smog can cause reduced visibility
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs); smog-formers
􀂾 Source - VOCs are released from burning fuel (gasoline, oil, wood, coal, natural gas, etc.), solvents, paints, glues, and other products used at work or at home. Cars are an important source of VOCs. VOCs include chemicals such as benzene, toluene, methylene chloride and methyl, cholorform.
􀂾 Health Effects- in addition to ozone (smog) effects, many VOCs can cause serious health problems such as cancer and other effects.
􀂾 Environmental Effects – in addition to ozone (smog) effects, some VOCs such as formaldehyde and ethylene may harm plants
Nitrogen Dioxide (One of the Nox); smog-forming chemical
􀂾 Source – burning of gasoline, natural gas, coal, oil, etc. Cars are an important source
􀂾 Health Effects – lung damage, illnesses of breathing passages and lungs
􀂾 Environmental Effects – nitrogen dioxide is an ingredient of acid rain (acid aerosols), which can damage trees and lakes. Acid aerosols can reduce visibility.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
􀂾 Source – burning of gasoline, natural gas, coal, oil, etc.
􀂾 Health Effects – reduces ability of blood to bring oxygen to body cells and tissues; cells and tissues need oxygen to work. Carbon monoxide may be particularly hazardous to people who have heart or circulatory (blood vessel) problems and people who have damaged lungs or breathing passages.
Particulate Matter (PM-2.5 and PM-10)*; (dust, smoke, soot)
􀂾 Source – burning of wood, diesel and other fuels; industrial plants; agriculture (plowing, burning of fields); unpaved roads
􀂾 Health Effects – nose and throat irritation, lung damage, bronchitis, early death
􀂾 Environmental Effects – particulates are the main source of haze that reduces visibility
*Both state and federal ambient air quality standards exist for respirable particulate matter (PM10) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), but not for ultra fine particulate matter, which researchers are finding may be especially harmful to breathe.
Sulfur Dioxide
􀂾 Source – burning of coal and oil, especially high-sulfur fuel used in ships; industrial processes (paper, metals)
􀂾 Health Effects – breathing problems, may cause permanent damage to lungs
􀂾 Environmental Effects – SO2 is an ingredient in acid rain (acid aerosols), which can damage trees and lakes. Acid particulates are the main source of haze that reduces visibility
1 Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/peg_caa/pegcaa11.html. Oct. 4, 2006. Fact Sheet developed by Colleen Callahan, American Lung Association of California, 2007