Diesel Engine Exhaust
Full Profile
General Information
Diesel engine exhaust, produced by the combustion of diesel fuel in a compression ignition engine, is a complex mixture of gases and particulates.[1] The composition of the exhaust depends on a number of factors including the type of engine (heavy or light duty), the type of fuel and oil, speed and load of operation, and emission control systems.[1]
Gaseous compounds present in diesel exhaust can include carbon dioxide, water vapour, oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen compounds, carbon monoxide, and low molecular weight hydrocarbons and their derivatives.[2,3] Diesel particulate matter (DPM) can contain elemental carbon, organic compounds (including PAHs), metals, and other trace compounds.[3] Almost all particulate emitted by diesel engines is respirable (PM <10 micron), with the majority having diameters less than 1.0 micron.[1]
IARC classifies diesel exhaust as Group 1, carcinogenic to humans, based on sufficient evidence for lung cancer and limited evidence for bladder cancer in humans.[16] Animal studies also showed increases in lung cancer rates from inhalation of whole engine exhaust and development of tumours from particulate either applied to the skin or administered internally.[2] Studies of the gaseous phase (particles removed) were inadequate to determine carcinogenicity (gasoline engine exhaust was classified as Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans).[2]
Although epidemiological evidence supports a link between diesel exhaust and lung cancer, exposure assessment is complex due to difficulty separating diesel exposure from other ambient contaminants with similar characteristics.[2]
Short term exposure to diesel engine exhaust can cause irritation of the eyes, throat, and bronchi, neuro-physiological symptoms such as light-headedness, nausea, and respiratory symptoms such as cough and phlegm.[3] Diesel exhaust may initiate allergic reactions or increase immunological response to other allergens.[3] Increases in hospital admission, higher incidence of respiratory symptoms, and decreases in lung function are associated with exposures to airborne particulate, including DPM.[3] Increased mortality rates are also reported, particularly in the elderly and those with cardiopulmonary conditions.[3] Children living in high traffic areas are at particular risk of respiratory symptoms.[4]
How did CAREX choose this agent for review?
Regulations and Guidelines
Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL)
No occupational exposure limits for diesel engine exhaust were located in Canadian or any international regulatory agencies.
Environment Canada Guidelines
| Regulation | Year |
|---|---|
| Sulphur in Diesel Fuel | 2006[5] |
| On-Road Vehicle & Engine Emission | 2002[6] |
| Off-Road Small Spark Ignition Engine Emission | 2003[7] |
| Off-Road Compression Ignition Engine Emission | 2004[8] |
| Marine Spark-Ignition Engine & Off-Road Recreational Vehicle Emission | 2011[9] |
Diesel Fuel Use in Canada
Diesel fuels, produced by refining crude oils, are generally blended and often contain additives to meet specifications for performance.[10] Recent regulations regarding fuel composition and emission standards in Canada (aligned with the US EPA) should result in lower diesel exhaust emissions across North America.[11] The regulations require that the sulphur content in fuels sold for on-road use not exceed 15 ppm after August 31, 2006, and that fuels used for off-road, locomotive and marine engines meet the same level on a phased-in schedule, to be complete by 2012.[5] Lower sulphur content in the fuel leads to lower emissions of particulate matter in the exhaust.
A series of regulations have been developed or are under review that outline allowable emissions for new models of on-and off-road vehicles and engines, covering applications where diesel fuels are used.[6,9]
Emission standards will be met through technological changes including catalytic converters and particle traps.[11] Although the change to ultra-low sulphur fuels (ULSF) will decrease sulphur emissions, significant decreases in DPM and other diesel exhaust constituents will not be evident immediately, as older technology engines will remain in use until replacement is required.[11]
Occupational Exposures
Inhalation is the most common route of occupational exposure.[1]
Occupations with potential for exposure to non-road diesel engines include railroad workers, underground mine workers (using diesel powered equipment), forestry (loggers), heavy equipment operators, and those in the marine industry.[1,2] Occupations using on-road engines include bus garage workers, trucking company workers, forklift operators, firefighters, lumberjacks, toll-booth and parking garage attendants, traffic controllers, car mechanics, and professional drivers.[1,2]
In 2004 Health Canada identified several occupational activities where potential for exposure to diesel exhaust occurs, including trucking, road construction, gold mining and extraction, and construction of hydroelectric dams.[12]
Environmental Exposures
The primary source of exposure to the general population is from ambient air.[3] The three major sources of diesel exhaust are mobile sources (e.g. vehicles and other mobile sources such as ships, locomotives); stationary area sources (e.g. oil and gas production facilities, stationary engines, repair yards, shipyards); and stationary point sources (e.g. chemical manufacturing, electric utilities). Non-road sources can double the exposure to diesel exhaust in locations near point sources.[3]
Data from a Health Canada assessment of respirable particulate matter estimated that over 80% of PM10 emitted from the transportation sector was attributable to diesel engines.[14] Although regulation of engine performance and fuel formulation has decreased exhaust emissions, the increased numbers of vehicles and increased use of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) are continued issues of concern.[4]
Diesel engine exhaust also contributes to the formation of smog, composed primarily of ground level ozone (formed by the reaction of nitrous oxides and volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, in sunlight) and particulate matter.[13,15]
Sources
- NTP 12th Report on Carcinogens for Diesel Exhaust Particulates (2011) (PDF)
- IARC monograph summary, Volume 46 (1989) (PDF)
- EPA, Health Assessment Document for Diesel Engine Exhaust (2002)
- Health Canada: It’s Your Health – Road Traffic and Air Pollution (2004) (PDF)
- Government of Canada, Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations (SOR/2002-254): (2006)
- Government of Canada, On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations (SOR/2003-2)
- Government of Canada, Off-Road Small Spark Ignition Engine Emission Regulations (SOR/2003-355)
- Government of Canada, Off-Road Compression Ignition Engine Emission Regulations (SOR/2005-32)
- Government of Canada, Marine Spark-Ignition Engine, Vessel and Off-Road Recreational Vehicle Emission Regulations (SOR/2011-10)
- INCHEM, Environmental Health Criteria Document 171, Diesel Fuel and Exhaust Emissions (1996)
- Health Canada, Diesel Research Workshop (2002)
- Health Canada, Canadian Handbook on Health Impact Assessment, Volume 4: Health Impacts by Industry Sector (2004)
- Health Canada, Air Quality Health Effects (2006)
- Priority Substances List Assessment Report (CEPA) 2000. Respirable Particulate Matter Less Than or Equal to 10 µm (PDF)
- Health Canada: It’s Your Health, Smog and Your Health (2003) (PDF)
- IARC. Press Release N° 213 Diesel Engine Exhaust Carcinogenic (2012) (PDF)
Other Resources
- EPA, Integrated Risk Information System for Diesel Engine Exhaust (2008)
- NIOSH, Mining and Safety Health Topic: Diesel Engine Exhaust (2009)
- Health Canada, Evaluation of the Levels of Diesel-related Pollutants on School Buses During the Transportation of Children Executive Summary December (2005) (PDF)