WHO Says Diesel Exhausts Do Cause Cancer

WHO report noted ships were a source of diesel exhaust fumes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its classification of diesel engine exhaust to "carcinogenic to humans", putting the emissions in the same class as arsenic, asbestos, and tobacco.

A press release by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the WHO, said that "large populations are exposed to diesel exhaust" from a number of sources, which include ships.

"Given the additional health impacts from diesel particulates, exposure to this mixture of chemicals should be reduced worldwide," said Dr Christopher Portier, Chairman of the IARC working Group.

The change from a Group 2A "probably carcinogenic to humans" classification given in 1988, to the new Group 1 "carcinogenic to humans" classification, comes after the IARC found sufficient evidence to say diesel exhaust is a cause of lung cancer, as well as increasing the risk of bladder cancer.

"The scientific evidence was compelling and the Working Group's conclusion was unanimous," said Dr Portier.

Dr Kurt Straif, Head of the IARC Monographs Program, indicated that although the conclusion came from studies on highly exposed workers, experience had shown them positive findings for the general population would tend to follow and as such, everyone should reduce their exposure to diesel exhaust.

Dr Christopher Wild, Director, IARC, said that the "conclusion sends a strong signal that public health action is warranted" and that the "emphasis is needed globally."

Since 1998 an IARC Advisory Group has recommended diesel exhaust as a "high priority for re-evaluation."

The report noted that although increasingly tighter emission standards had led to "marked decreases in sulfur content, changes in engine design to burn diesel fuel more efficiently and reductions in emissions through exhaust control technology," exactly what reduction of particulates and chemicals this translated into, and therefore what the altered health effects may be, was not clear.

"Research into this question is needed," it said.