Many people enjoy driving down the highway, windows down and air flowing. That is until a large truck rolls by and blasts black, sooty exhaust in through the open window. People choke, frantically roll up the window, and try to get as far away from that toxin-spewing monstrosity as quickly as possible.
Not only is diesel exhaust disgusting, but it is also widely known to be health threatening. But how dangerous is it really? Let’s find out.
What composes Diesel Exhaust
Diesel exhaust is composed of two main things: gases and soot. There have been approximately 40 toxins identified, most of which can be classified in the following gasses and particles.
The gases that are emitted from diesel fuel include: carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur oxide, and hydrocarbons – most of which, in high concentrations, are dangerous to humans.
The soot is composed mostly of particles of: carbon, organic materials, and traces of metallic compounds.
The Health Dangers or Diesel Exhaust
There are both short and long term consequences of breathing in diesel exhaust.
Short term consequences of exposure can include eye irritation, headaches, coughing, and the worsening of asthma and allergies. Generally speaking, your average American will unavoidably be exposed to limited amounts of diesel emissions, but won’t suffer much worse than these side effects.
However, people that are exposed to larger amounts of diesel exhaust over longer periods of time may be at risk of more serious health issues. This is because when humans are exposed to diesel exhaust, some of the particles get lodged in the lungs. Over time, a buildup of these toxic elements in the lungs and other tissues could lead to lung cancer, heart disease, and perhaps even immune system problems.
Minimizing Risk
Fortunately, the diesel industry is working hard to minimize the amounts of hazardous gases and particulates that are released into the air. FleetServ is at the head of these innovations, providing filters, systems, and practices that reduce dangerous emissions, helping to make our air cleaner for all!
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