diesel exhaust

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http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2002-09-03-diesel_x.htm

09/03/2002 - Updated 11:22 PM ET

EPA says exposure to diesel exhaust can cause cancer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Diesel exhaust from large trucks and other sources

probably causes lung cancer, the Environmental Protection Agency said

Tuesday.

An EPA health-impact report concludes that uncertainties remain about

long-term health effects of exposure to diesel exhaust. It says, however,

that studies involving both tests on animals and occupational exposure

suggest strong evidence of a cancer risk to humans.

" Overall, the evidence for a potential cancer hazard to humans resulting

from chronic inhalation exposure to (diesel emissions) is persuasive, " the

report says.

The report mirrors conclusions drawn previously in documents from various

world health agencies and from studies in California. It is particularly

significant because the EPA is the federal agency that regulates diesel

emissions under the Clean Air Act.

Some environmentalists have expressed worries recently that the Bush

administration might have been backing away from a Clinton-era regulation

that would establish tougher requirements on emissions from large trucks and

a separate rule that would virtually eliminate sulfur from diesel fuel.

EPA Administrator Christie Whitman has repeatedly promised to go ahead with

the tougher diesel rules. Last month, with White House approval, the EPA

rebuffed attempts by some diesel engine manufacturers to postpone the

requirements. The agency approved penalties against manufacturers who fail

to meet an October deadline for making cleaner-burning truck engines.

The engine rule does not affect emissions from trucks already on the road,

although the separate regulation cutting the amount of sulfur in diesel fuel

is expected to reduce pollution.

The report reiterates that environmental exposure to diesel exhaust poses " a

chronic respiratory hazard to humans " in the long term, including increased

asthma and other respiratory problems.

In some urban areas, diesel exhaust accounts for as much as a quarter of

airborne microscopic soot, the report says.

As for cancer, the report notes occupational health studies and animal tests

that showed diesel emissions to be a carcinogen, a cancer-causing substance.

Despite a number of uncertainties, the report continues, " it is reasonable

to presume that the hazard extends to environmental exposure levels " as

well.

Environmentalists welcomed the study as clear evidence that pollutants need

to be curtailed not only from large trucks but also from diesel-powered

off-road vehicles. The EPA has yet to deal with those diesel exhaust

sources, which include farm tractors and construction equipment.

" To reduce the public's exposure to harmful diesel emissions, the Bush

administration should ... fully implement clean air standards for diesel

trucks and buses and should pass equivalent standards for diesel

construction and farm equipment, " says Figdor of the U.S. Public

Interest Research Group, a private environmental organization.

Figdor noted that the report is surfacing just as children are returning to

schools, often in diesel-powered buses.

Copyright 2002 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may

not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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