Health Impacts of Diesel Pollution
ANNUAL U.S. HEALTH IMPACTS FROM DIESEL POLLUTION
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Impaired lung development in infants and children
- Asthma attacks-- 400,000 annually
- Respiratory disease and stroke
- Heart attacks-- 27,000 annually
- Premature deaths-- 21,000 annually
- Lung Cancer deaths-- 3,000 annually
YOUR RISK FROM DIESEL POLLUTION
Residents from more than two-thirds of all U.S. counties face a cancer risk from diesel exhaust that is at least 100 times higher than the level the EPA says is acceptable. Click on the map to see your health risk from diesel in your zip code, county or state.
The graph below compares the annual deaths from diesel pollution to other major causes of death.
DIESEL POLLUTION EXPOSURE IS PERVASIVE, BUT PREVENTABLE
Unlike the industrial pollutants released from smokestacks, diesel engine exhaust is emitted at ground level, where Americans breathe it every day—whether we live or work near a highway or construction site; commute via school bus, car, train, ferry, transit bus, or subway; or simply walk or ride bicycles near dirty diesels. This image shows heightened levels of exposure near high levels of diesel exhaust. But, filter technology available today can virtually eliminate this pollution -- to learn more about diesel particulate filter technology, go to our Technology Page.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Diesel exhaust is comprised of microscopic carbon soot particles to which metals and other toxic substances attach. When inhaled by humans, these tiny, toxic-laden particles cross the blood barrier from lungs into the bloodstream, delivering the toxics to internal organs and leading to inflammation and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases such as cancer, stroke, and heart attacks. Here is a simplified image of a diesel carbon and toxics that attach to it.
FINANCIAL
IMPACTS
Illnesses caused by diesel pollution result in thousands of emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and lost school and work days.Together with the toll of premature deaths, the health damages from diesel fine particles will total $139 Billion in 2010. Estimates show that for every $1 spent on reducing PM pollution from diesel engines, $12 would be avoided in health damages.
FACT SHEETS & REPORTS
- DIESEL EXHAUST AND PARTICULATE MATTER HEALTH RISK- A short summary of scientific studies.
- OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH Fact Sheet- How diesel pollution impacts workers
- REPORT- Diesel and Health in America: The Lingering Threat (Clean Air Task Force, 2005)
What are the health impacts of these dirty diesel vehicles? What benefits will we realize if we act now to clean them up? The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) commissioned Abt Associates, a highly-respected consulting firm that U.S. EPA and other agencies rely upon to assess the benefits of national air quality policies, to quantify for the first time the health impacts of fine particle air pollution from America's diesel fleet. Using this information, CATF estimated the expected benefits – in lives saved – from an aggressive but feasible program to clean up dirty diesel buses, trucks, and heavy equipment across the U.S. Reducing diesel fine particle emissions 50 percent by 2010, 75 percent by 2015, and 85 percent by2020 would save tens of thousands of lives between now and 2030. These are additional lives saved above and beyond the projected impact of EPA's new engine regulations. A tool related to the report can be used to identify your own risk from diesel pollution. Click the map at left to find your risk.
- REPORT- No Escape from Diesel Exhaust: How to Reduce Commuter Exposure (Clean Air Task Force, 2007)
Every day, Americans are needlessly sickened from exposure to air pollution in the form of fine particles. Overall, health researchers estimate that fine particles, found  in diesel exhaust and other sources, shorten the lives of 70,000 Americans each year. Legions of published, peer-reviewed studies have documented the increased exposure and resultant health risk from particles in and around nearby roadways. When during our day are we exposed to these particles? According to the California Air Resources Board, although we spend only about six percent of our day commuting to and from work, it is during that time when we receive over half of our exposure. Using comparable instruments and research techniques as those employed by health researchers at major universities, Clean Air Task Force (CATF) investigated the exposure to diesel particles during typical commutes in four cities: Austin, TX, Boston, MA, New York City, NY and Columbus, OH. In addition, CATF tested the air quality benefits due to emission control retrofits of transit buses in Boston and transit buses and garbage trucks in New York City. CATF's investigation demonstrated that whether you commute by car, bus, ferry, train, or on foot, you may be exposed to high levels of diesel particles.
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Click To See in "Health":
Your Risk from Diesel Pollution
Diesel Pollution Exposure is Pervasive, But Preventable
How Does It Work?
Financial impacts
Fact Sheets & Reports
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