Diesel Exhaust Classified as Carcinogenic

In June, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO), classified diesel engine exhaust as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), announcing, "The scientific evidence was compelling and the Working Group's conclusion was unanimous: diesel engine exhaust causes lung cancer in humans."

This follows a NIOSH announcement in March that showed underground miners exposed to diesel emissions showed an increased risk of death from lung cancer in exposed workers.

People working where diesel engines are running indoors or in enclosed spaces, such as bridges and tunnels, engine maintenance garages, bus barns, underground mines and fire stations, have some of the highest exposures to the exhaust and are at increased risk for illness. Other workers at high risk for diesel exhaust exposure include:

• Toll booth workers
• Operators of diesel powered engines (such as in trains, trucks, buses, tractors, and forklifts)
• Mechanics
• Roadside inspection workers
• Loading/shipping dock workers
• Truck drivers
• Farm workers
• Railroad workers
• Ship crew members

By law, employers must provide a safe and healthy workplace. Employers should assess the risks to the health of workers exposed to diesel exhaust and take precautions to prevent or reduce the amount that workers breathe. Several publications are available with additional information.

• Read the IARC statement here (pdf).
• Download the California Dept. of Health Services advisory on diesel engine exhaust (pdf).
• Visit the OSHA Diesel Exhaust page.
• Read a Q&A on the National Cancer Institute Diesel Exhaust study.
• Review NIOSH information on diesel exhaust.
• Browse Diesel, Gasoline and Fuel safety signs at ComplianceSigns.com.
• Browse Respiratory PPE signs.