| Diesel-Powered Products
Diesel engines are used in automobiles, generators, light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles,
as well as railroad locomotives and boats. The exhaust is a complex mixture of more than 450
different components. It contains more than 40 air contaminants that are recognized as toxic
by the State of California. Diesel engines spew out 100 times more sooty particles than gasoline
engines and thus account for an estimated 26 percent of the total hazardous particulate pollution
from fuel combustion sources in our air. Diesel engines account for 66 percent of the particulate
pollution from on-road sources.
Health Effects: Diesel exhaust has been linked to cancer and to the exacerbation of asthma
and other respiratory diseases. It has been shown that exposure to even low levels of diesel exhaust is likely to
pose a risk of lung cancer and respiratory impairment. Reproductive and developmental effects have been documented
in animal studies. The health risk from diesel exposure is greatest for children, the elderly, people who have respiratory
problems or who smoke, people who regularly exercise strenuously in diesel-polluted areas, and people who work or live near
diesel exhaust sources such as auto mechanics, bridge and tunnel workers, and truck drivers.
How to Avoid or Minimize Exposure: There are many cleaner alternatives to diesel engines including electric, liquefied natural gas,
or compressed natural gas buses and trucks. Diesel fuels can be reformulated to reduce the amount of sulfur and other contaminant-generating
compounds that they contain. The engines can also be redesigned to reduce the amount of pollutants that they generate. Finally, emissions
control equipment can be added to existing diesel engines to reduce pollutants.
It is possible to control the exposure of workers to diesel exhaust. However, it is difficult or impossible to control exposure to diesel exhaust in non-occupational settings because it is released into the environment and is widespread. Non-occupational exposures to diesel exhaust can be minimized by having drivers turn off engines while they are waiting to pick up passengers or make deliveries.
Occupational exposures to diesel exhaust can be controlled in several ways. First, when diesel engines are being worked on in a shop, their tailpipes should be connected to local exhaust ventilation equipment that vents the exhaust to the outdoors. Second, general ventilation, fans, or ventilation that serves the whole workshop should be used to dilute the diesel exhaust and to minimize its buildup. Third, the cabs or cabins of vehicles with diesel engines should be provided with filtered air and/or air conditioning to prevent diesel exhaust from entering the cabin. For this to be successful, cracks and leaks in the cabin should be sealed. The least desirable option is for operators of diesel-powered equipment to wear respirators that filter out oily particulates and organic compounds.
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