Diesel exhaust is linked to an increased risk of lung and bladder cancer, according to a report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The latest assessment reclassifies diesel exhaust from probably carcinogenic a categorization the group made in 1988 to level I, carcinogenic" to humans.
Given the additional health impacts from diesel particulates, exposure to this mixture of chemicals should be reduced worldwide, stated Christopher Portier, chairman of the IARC working group.
But it s important to keep two things in mind when analyzing the results. First, the IARC review was based on an occupationally exposed population, meaning that this risk cannot be extrapolated to the general community. And second, since the study evaluated data accumulated over many years prior, it doesn t take into account advances in diesel technology over the last decade that have vastly reduced the amount of particulate matter and chemicals emitted in diesel exhaust.
The occupationally-exposed workers need to be aware of this risk, however minute, ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross says. However, for the general population, there is nothing here to be concerned about.