WHO: Diesel exhaust causes lung cancer

Exhaust fumes from diesel engines can cause lung cancer, according to a thorough assessment by World Health Organization (WHO) experts. At a meeting in June, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the WHO, reclassified diesel exhausts from its group 2A of probable carcinogens to its group 1 of substances that definitely are linked to cancer.

The decision came after a week-long meeting of independent experts who assessed the latest scientific evidence on the cancer-causing potential of diesel and gasoline exhausts.
The IARC working group found that diesel exhaust is a cause of lung cancer and also noted a positive association with an increased risk of bladder cancer.

Dr Christopher Portier, Chairman of the IARC working group, said in a statement that “the scientific evidence was compelling and the conclusion was unanimous: diesel engine exhaust causes lung cancer in humans. Given the additional health impacts from diesel particulates, exposure to this mixture of chemicals should be reduced worldwide”.

Large populations all over the world are exposed to diesel exhaust every day. In its press release, IARC noted that people are exposed not only to motor vehicle exhausts but also to exhausts from other diesel engines, such as diesel trains and ships, and from power generators.

IARC’s director, Christopher Wild, said that the decision to classify diesel engine exhaust as carcinogenic to humans “sends a strong signal that public health action is warranted,” and that “this emphasis is needed globally, including among the more vulnerable populations in developing countries where new technology and protective measures may otherwise take many years to be adopted”.

Gasoline exhaust fumes should according to IARC be classified as “possibly carcinogenic to humans”, which is two risk categories below diesel exhaust, a finding that was unchanged from its previous assessment in 1989.

Source: WHO IARC press release No. 213, 12 June 2012

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Editorial: Acid News celebrates 30 years!

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Progress in EU air policy review

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Finding climate policy for the agricultural sector

A trading system for agricultural greenhouse gas emissions results in less leakage than emission caps or a tax on livestock, according to a new report by the EU’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). But the practical difficulties of trading with emissions from diffuse sources such as livestock and arable land are not even mentioned.

Ten one-liners for air policy

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Great benefits of NOx reductions in the North Sea

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Energy Efficiency: A deal, but not a great one

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F-gases still a problem

The production of fluorinated greenhouse gases in the EU has decreased in terms of tonnage, but since the proportion of gases with the highest global warming potentials (GWP) simultaneously has increased there is no reduction in the overall climate impact.

New CO2 standards for cars and vans

Carbon dioxide standards have pushed the auto industry to achieve the same efficiency improvements in the last three years as achieved in the previous eight years. The European Commission has now presented proposals on how standards can be tightened from 2020 and onwards.

Ship emissions continue to increase

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Main menu

WHO: Diesel exhaust causes lung cancer

In this issue

Editorial: Acid News celebrates 30 years!

China: New emission standards for power plants

Progress in EU air policy review

Finding climate policy for the agricultural sector

Ten one-liners for air policy

Great benefits of NOx reductions in the North Sea

Slow steaming saves money and the climate

Energy Efficiency: A deal, but not a great one

F-gases still a problem

New CO2 standards for cars and vans

Ship emissions continue to increase

Publications

SINK OR SOURCE? Northern Forests at a crossroads

The role of northern forests in limiting warming to 1.5°C

Protecting Northern Forests crucial for biodiversity, the climate and indigenous rights

The 100 largest industry emitters in EU-27

Road to Nowhere

Bioenergy CCS – too little, too expensive, and not net negative

Direct air carbon capture and storage - A waste of time and energy

Carbon emissions from the cement industry can be reduced without CCS

What we do

Air pollution

Climate Change

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