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Particulate Matter Avoidance
 
Diesel exhaust is emitted from a broad range of diesel engines; the on-road diesel engines of trucks, buses and cars and the off-road diesel engines that include tractors, bulldozers, locomotives, marine vessels and heavy duty equipment. The size of diesel particulates that are of greatest health concern are those that fall into the categories of fine and ultra fine. The most common means of exposure is breathing air that contains diesel particulate matter. The type and severity of health effects depends upon several factors including the amount of chemical one is exposed to and the length of time exposed. Acute exposure to diesel exhaust may cause irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs, and some neurological effects such as lightheadedness.

Acute exposure may also elicit a cough or nausea as well as exacerbate asthma.

At What Levels Should I Be Concerned?
EPA's National Scale Assessment uses several types of health hazard information to provide a quantitative "threshold of concern" or a health benchmark concentration at which it is expected that no adverse health effects occur at exposures to that level. There is a 'Reference Concentration' that is used as a health benchmark protective of chronic noncarcinogenic health effects but it is for diesel exhaust and not specifically set for diesel particulate matter which is what was modeled in NATA.

What Can I Do To Minimize My Risk?
  • Avoid idling if you have a diesel vehicle, i.e. turn off your engine when your vehicle is not in motion.
  • Keep your diesel vehicle well-tuned and maintained.
  • If possible, retrofit diesel engines with pollution control devices.
  • If purchasing trucks or buses, consider buying those that meet the EPA's new standards ahead of schedule.
  • Try to select places of work, recreation, travel and living that are as free from diesel pollution as possible. Although this may seem unrealistic for most city-dwellers, it is nevertheless a significant risk to one's health.

 
Particulate Matter Avoidance benefits or hinders:
 
Lung Cancer