Diesel fumes a proven cancer threat: World Health Organisation
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for global action to reduce human exposure to diesel-engine exhausts, now classified as a cause of lung cancer in humans.
After a week-long meeting with international experts, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of WHO, made the announcement on Tuesday, based on evidence that exposure is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.
“The scientific evidence was compelling and the working group’s conclusion was unanimous: diesel-engine exhaust causes lung cancer in humans,” said Dr Christopher Portier, chairman of the IARC working group. “Given the additional health impact from diesel particulates, exposure to this mixture of chemicals should be reduced worldwide.”
GLOBAL ACTION NEEDED
Dr Kurt Straif, head of the IARC Monographs Programme, said the main studies focused on highly exposed occupational groups. But, as in the case of other carcinogens, initial findings were followed by positive findings for everyone who is exposed.
“Therefore, action to reduce exposures should encompass workers and the general population,” he said.
IARC director Dr Christopher Wild said that public health action is needed globally, including among the more vulnerable populations in developing countries where new technology and protective measures may otherwise take many years to adopt.
In 1988, IARC classified diesel exhaust as probably carcinogenic to humans. A working group was set up to review scientific evidence. It recently found that diesel exhaust is found as a cause of lung cancer (sufficient evidence) and also noted a positive association (limited evidence) with an increased risk of bladder cancer.
GASOLINE EXHAUST CARCINOGENIC
It also concluded gasoline exhaust was possibly carcinogenic to humans.
To cope with increasing environmental concerns over the past two decades, tighter emission standards for both diesel and gasoline engines are needed, according to the report.
The report said the news deserves to spook the whole world which uses millions of litres of such fuel a day. Thailand consumes about 50 million litres of diesel daily, one-tenth the consumption in the US – the world’s largest oil consumer.
The announcement was publicised as some countries upgrade their emission standards to lessen sulfur content, while others are still subsidising diesel prices which promotes inefficient use of such fuel. Improvements can result from a marked decrease in sulfur content, changes in engine design to burn diesel fuel more efficiently and reductions in emissions through exhaust-control technology.
While showing concern over a lack of regulatory standards in many parts of the developing world, the IARC noted that further research is needed to define if such changes could alter effects on health.
