Potential Health Effects of Light-Duty Diesel Exhaust

The purpose of this paper is to review briefly the evidence for potential human health effects that may result from increased dieselization of the nation's light-duty vehicle fleet. An effort is made to put the potential effects into perspective, both with regard to projected excess cancer deaths, should diesel exhaust be carcinogenic to humans, and in relation to past use of vehicles using leaded gasoline. Certain related research needs are highlighted. Available data concerning the relationship between diesel emissions, ambient air quality, and human health are summarized. On the basis of exposure estimates and relative potency factors, the authors conclude that the best estimate of the number of excess annual U.S. lung cancer deaths as a result of lifetime exposure to light-duty diesel particulate under 1990 conditions is between 80 and 1500. Available data suggest that the carcinogenic hazard of exhaust from vehicles burning leaded gasoline may be an order of magnitude greater, on a per mile basis, than that of diesel engines. The hazard of emissions from diesel are, in turn, probably an order of magnitude greater than that of gasoline engines with catalytic converters burning unleaded gasoline. Important research needs identified by the authors include determining whether diesel exhaust is in fact a human carcinogen, studying the effect of atmospheric chemical transformation of organics in diesel exhaust on the toxicity of the exhaust, making a better determination of the relative carcinogenicity of diesel and gasoline exhausts, and determining whether exposure to diesel exhaust contributes to the development or exacerbation of chronic lung disease or of respiratory illness, especially in the very young and the aged.