Diesel exhaust contains numerous toxic substances such as sulfur dioxide, acrolein, formaldehyde, metals, and particulate matter. Many of these combustion byproducts are known to be genotoxic, cytotoxic, fibrogenic, and carcinogenic. Uncontrolled diesel emissions from heavy equipment constitute a major public health concern.

Researchers in Switzerland studied some 200 male, non-smoking customs officers over a five year period. Some of the officers were engaged in the clearing of diesel trucks over 8 hours per day during the workweek, while the control group worked in the office. Researchers measured concentrations of diesel exhaust in the ambient air and collected nasal swabs from the workers during the summer and winter.

In humans, the nose is the initial site of injury by inhaled irritants, and it is a common site for particle deposition and for the absorption of potentially toxic gases.

Researchers found increased abnormalities in the nasal skin cells and an increase in white blood cells, in the workers chronically exposed to diesel exhaust. They describe the changes as a chronic inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane. In addition, researchers report that the cell changes may be indicative of a genotoxic effect of chronic diesel exposures in humans.

Glück, U., Schütz, R., Gebbers, J.-O. Cytopathology of the Nasal Mucosa in Chronic Exposure to Diesel Engine Emission: A Five-Year Survey of Swiss Customs Officers. Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 111, No. 7, pp. 925-929, June 2003.

The NIEHS offers the [ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/allpubs.html] offers the abstract online.

This entry was posted on Friday, May 23rd, 2003 at 5:43 pm and is filed under 2003.