{"id":3049,"date":"2019-11-15T12:43:46","date_gmt":"2019-11-15T12:43:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tayloremmet.co.uk\/blog\/wordpress\/?p=3049"},"modified":"2019-11-15T12:43:46","modified_gmt":"2019-11-15T12:43:46","slug":"the-danger-of-working-near-diesel-fumes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tayloremmet.co.uk\/blogs\/the-danger-of-working-near-diesel-fumes\/","title":{"rendered":"The Danger of Working Near Diesel Fumes"},"content":{"rendered":"

It has been known for a long time that diesel fumes are dangerous to health. The focus of personal injury claims in this area to date has been in relation to respiratory illness. However recent studies suggest that exposure to diesel fumes increases the risk of other types of cancer and neurological illness. It is anticipated therefore that there will be a significant increase in these types of claims in the future.<\/p>\n

What Are Diesel Fumes?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Diesel fumes, also known as diesel engine exhaust emissions (DEEEs) combine a mixture of particles, chemical molecules and gases of which particulates are easily inhaled into the respiratory tract.<\/p>\n

DEEEs were classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organisation) as a \u201cdefinite\u201d carcinogen in 2012. This classification followed studies that showed that a person exposed to a significant amount of diesel fumes may have an increased risk of developing lung cancer.<\/p>\n

DEEEs can also cause asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Worldwide at least 38,000 people die every year from inhaling excess diesel emissions.<\/p>\n

Exposure to Diesel Fumes at Work<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

There are, broadly speaking, two ways in which workers can be exposed to diesel fumes:<\/p>\n

Significant Short Term Exposure <\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

This can happen if you are involved in work where diesel fuel could be spilled, such as at an oil refinery, delivering diesel fuel or responding to a spillage of diesel as part of your work in the emergency services. This sort of exposure is likely to be significant and may cause irritation to the eyes and\/or skin or short term breathing problems, such as exacerbation of pre-existing asthma.<\/p>\n

Long Term Exposure<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

This sort of exposure is usually at a lower level and can occur if you work in close proximity to diesel fumes for long periods of time. Such exposure may cause respiratory illness such as COPD, asthma and even lung cancer.<\/p>\n

Who Is at Risk?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Anyone working with or around diesel powered equipment or vehicles needs to be aware of the risks to which they are being exposed. Many roles in the workplace may expose employees to high levels of emissions, often exacerbated by confined spaces or inadequate ventilation.<\/p>\n

Rail workers and miners could potentially be exposed as well as those who spend their working hours in car parks, depots, garages, warehouses or even fire stations. People who drive for a living such as bus drivers, HGV and taxi drivers and couriers are also at risk. Construction sites in particular may have a number of vehicles which run on diesel and regularly emit significant quantities of diesel fumes. If you are employed in vehicle manufacture or the vehicle service industry you may be frequently exposed to DEEEs as a result of testing diesel engines.<\/p>\n

In relation to bus drivers, research has found that the increased risk of mortality from lung cancer and bladder cancer is 40% and 29% higher respectively. For lorry and HGV drivers the research has shown an increased risk of lung cancer of as much as 50-60% for those who had been driving for over 18 years.<\/p>\n

Employees at risk are advised to:<\/span><\/strong><\/address>\n