Diesel Exhaust May Increase Lung Cancer Risk

New studies are suggesting that heavy diesel exhaust exposure may increase the risk of death from lung cancer in humans.

According to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, researchers from the institute studied a group of 12,215 workers in eight underground nonmetal mining facilities and examined each of their exposure to respirable elemental carbon (REC). Authors of the study found that there was an increased risk of lung cancer the more the workers were exposed to REC.

In another study, the same researchers found that the risk of lung cancer mortality increased with increasing REC levels.

"Thus, if the diesel exhaust/lung cancer relation is causal, the public health burden of the carcinogenicity of inhaled diesel exhaust in workers and in populations of urban areas with high levels of diesel exposure may be substantial," said Deborah Silverman of the National Cancer Institute.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by chemical exposure, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if you have grounds to pursue legal action.