Public health impact of diesel exhaust: toxicity of nano-sized diesel exhaust particles - Part 3

Abstract

Diesel exhaust particles (DEP) form a large component of the fine particle fraction in urban air and might constitute an important part of ultrafine (nanoparticle) particulate ambient and occupational air pollution. It is known that breathing high concentrations of diesel exhaust (DE) induces pulmonary inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and oxidative stress. Epidemiological, human and in vivo studies have demonstrated an association between air pollution and various adverse health outcomes such as asthma and lung cancer, although the underlying biological mechanism is not well understood. Current research practice focuses on mainly three particle sizes, namely: PM10, PM2.5 and ultrafine (<0.1ì). It is suggested that more research should be undertaken on the smaller particles such as nanoparticles (diameter less than 100 nm), because it is hypothesised that more harm could be caused by these particles. The effect of diesel exhaust and diesel exhaust particles on various in vitro systems is discussed.