Diesel Exhaust Can Cause Cancer
lokku Prashanth shekar
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Diesel Exhaust Can Cause Cancer
by RAISSA - JUN 13, 2012 - NO COMMENTS
Beware of using diesel in your car! You may not know it but the diesel exhaust from your engine could cause cancer to your friends and loved ones!
Just this Tuesday, the World Health Organization declared that diesel exhaust is a carcinogen. Since 1989, diesel exhaust has been in the “probable carcinogen” category but that changed in recent review and discussion by a panel of experts arranged by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is the cancer organization recognized by WHO.
Diesel exhaust is now in the same tier as the harmful substances asbestos, alcohol and ultraviolet radiation.
This new development poses a challenge to the whole public since many people, young and old alike, are exposed to vehicle exhaust on a daily basis. Just walking on the street makes one susceptible to exhaust fumes what more for those who work directly with machineries. Inhaling these fumes is almost like inhaling second hand smoke that causes lung cancer.
The United States, however, considers diesel exhaust as a probable carcinogen since their new diesel engines churn out lower amount of fumes. I think this new development will make harder impact on the poor countries where car engines and machineries are still not that efficient. This will also affect the fate of car makers that develop diesel engines.
Nevertheless, further studies regarding diesel exhaust’s connection to lung cancer will be conducted. For the meantime, it would be good for car owners to minimize the use of diesel and pedestrians need to cover their mouths and nose every time they go out on the streets.
Lokku Prashanth Shekar
Engineer (Traffic & Transportation)
LEA Associates South Asia Pvt. Ltd.
Tel(O): 04066747148 & Mobile: 91-9177140004