3 September 2002: The U.S. EPA published today the final Health Assessment Document For Diesel Exhaust (EPA/600/8-90/057F, May 2002), perhaps the most comprehensive, scientifically accurate, and objective summary of current human knowledge on the health effects of diesel emissions. The assessment concludes that diesel exhaust is “likely to be carcinogenic to humans by inhalation” and that this hazard applies to environmental exposures. The human exposure-response data are considered too uncertain to derive a confident quantitative estimate of cancer unit risk, and with the chronic rat inhalation studies not being predictive for environmental levels of exposure, EPA has not developed a quantitative estimate of cancer unit risk from exposure to diesel exhaust. We reported on the major conclusions of the Assessment at the time the document was developed.

http://www.dieselnet.com/news/0010epa.html

So it's less harmful than they earlier thought... I'm sure some Cali eco-nazi will read just the headline and then try to get oil burners banned in that state anyway...

So what your'e telling me is that sucking on the exhaust pipe is hazardous to my health? Whoodathunkit?? :flipoff2:

Originally posted by Eskimo
...I'm sure some Cali eco-nazi will read just the headline and then try to get oil burners banned in that state anyway...

It's already started: http://www.msnbc.com/news/803017.asp?pne=msn

Mark

EPA: Diesel Exhaust Can Cause Cancer
Wed Sep 4, 3:29 AM ET
By H. JOSEF HEBERT, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Inhaling diesel exhausts from large trucks and other sources over time can cause cancer in humans, an Environmental Protection Agency ( news - web sites) report concludes after a decade of study.



The EPA finding, released Tuesday, is expected to buttress the government's push to reduce truck tailpipe emissions by requiring cleaner-burning engines and diesel fuel with ultra-low sulfur content.

While acknowledging uncertainties about the long-term health effects of exposure to diesel exhausts, the EPA report said studies involving both animal tests and occupational exposure suggest strong evidence of a cancer risk to humans.

"It is reasonable to presume that the hazard extends to environmental exposure levels" as well, the report said. "The potential human health effects of diesel exhausts is persuasive, even though assumptions and uncertainties are involved."

The report mirrors conclusions made previously in documents from various world health agencies and studies in California and is particularly significant because the EPA is the federal agency that regulates diesel emissions under the Clean Air Act.

Some environmentalists have raised concerns recently that the Bush administration might try to back away from a Clinton-era regulation that would establish tougher requirements on emissions from large trucks and a separate rule that virtually would eliminate sulfur from diesel fuel.

EPA Administrator Christie Whitman repeatedly has promised to go ahead with the tougher truck and diesel rules. Last month, with White House approval, the EPA rebuffed attempts by some diesel engine manufacturers to postpone the requirements, approving new penalties against manufacturers who fail to meet an October deadline for making cleaner-burning truck engines.

The engine rule does not affect emissions from trucks already on the road, although the separate regulation cutting the amount of sulfur in diesel fuel is expected to produce pollution reductions.

The EPA's 651-page diesel health assessment did not attempt to estimate the probability of an individual getting cancer, given certain exposure to diesel exhaust. Such a risk assessment is commonly made by the EPA when gauging pollution health concerns.

But in this case, the report said, "the exposure-response data are considered too uncertain" to produce a confident quantitative estimate of cancer risk to an individual.

Nevertheless, said the report, the "totality of evidence from human, animal and other supporting studies" suggests that diesel exhaust "is likely to be carcinogenic to humans by inhalation, and that this hazard applies to environmental exposure."

The report reiterated that environmental exposure to diesel exhausts poses short-term health problems and in the long term has been shown to be a "chronic respiratory hazard to humans" contributing to increased asthma and other respiratory problems. In some urban areas diesel exhausts account for as much as a quarter of the airborne microscopic soot, the report said.

Environmentalists welcomed the study as clear evidence that pollution needs to be curtailed not only from large trucks but also from off-road diesel-powered vehicles. EPA spokeswoman Steffanie Bell said the agency expects to publish a rule early next year dealing with those diesel exhaust sources, which include farm tractors and construction equipment.

Emily Figdor of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, a private environmental organization, said: "To reduce the public's exposure to harmful diesel emissions, the Bush administration should ... fully implement clean air standards for diesel trucks and buses and should pass equivalent standards for diesel construction and farm equipment."

Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the industry group Diesel Technology Forum, said the EPA's report "focused on the past," whereas "the future is clean diesel. Diesel trucks and buses built today are more than eight times cleaner than just a dozen years ago."

The report acknowledged that its findings were based on emissions levels in the mid-1990s, but said the results continued to be valid because the slow turnover of truck engines has kept many of these vehicles on the road.



http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020904/ap_on_he_me/diesel_exhaust_cancer_3

So sucking on the tailpipe of a gasser isnt hazardous to your health? BTW and I quote from the MSBNC article "The industry also noted that the study was performed when most of the diesel engines on the road were built before the 1980s." gee.. things have changed since then havent they? Even in the gasoline powered world. Biggest problem is that the kneejerk liberals who dont bother to think about things, or to get facts, prefer to go on feelings. This'll mushroom quickly. But the biggest irony of them all is that Clinton didnt do shit during his two terms in terms of environmental legislation, but they're up in arms cause Bush hasn't dealt with this already. Fricken hypocrites. then again, come to think of it saw dust is hazardous to humans when inhaled. When do we make trees illegal?

So don't huff diesel exhaust :flipoff2: . They don't even what the increased risk is and at what PPM level it becomes a problem. On a side note, they could transform city busses into propane and it wouldn't bother me. Every time I go down town it smells like standing behind my Dodge cummins.

they be damned if they take away my diesels that i dont have yet. You would think eventually (sp) if all the eco nazis piss enough people off there might be a lil riot.