Safety and Health Topics: Diesel Exhaust

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Occupational Safety & Health Administration
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	Safety and Health Topics
	Diesel Exhaust

Hazardous levels of diesel exhaust can be found in occupations ranging from mining to driving diesel fueled trucks or forklifts. In addition to occupational exposure, the wide use of diesel engines in transportation provides significant opportunity for environmental exposure to these emissions. Control technology could significantly limit many diesel exhaust exposures, although additional information and research are needed on the methods to monitor diesel particulates and determine the level of risk such particulates cause. The following references will help in recognizing and controlling diesel exhaust hazards.

Potential Hazards

Characteristics and Properties

Partial Listing of Chemicals Associated with Diesel Exhaust. OSHA.

Hazard Recognition

Nonroad Engines and Air Pollution. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Mobile Resources (OMS) Fact Sheet 20, (1996, May), 16 KB PDF, 2 pages. Discusses the EPA's approach to the 1990 Clean Air Act directing the EPA to study, and regulate if warranted, the contribution of nonroad engines to urban air pollution.

Health Effects

Particulate Emissions from Diesel-Fueled Engines as a Toxic Air Contaminant. California Air Resources Board (ARB). Identifies health hazards associated with diesel exhaust.

Possible Solutions

General

Practical Ways to Reduce Exposure to Diesel Exhaust in Mining — A Toolbox. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Provides information shared at workshops about practical methods to reduce exposure to diesel exhaust in mining. This material is organized as a toolbox so it can be put to use directly by those working with diesel-powered equipment.

Controls

Emission Control Potential for Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Mobile Resources (OMS) Fact Sheet, (1997, May), 10 KB PDF, 2 pages. Discusses diesel engine operation and the effects of engine design and operation.
National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) Testing Procedures. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Lists test procedures relating to diesel engine emissions. The following documents are directed toward engine testing, not occupational exposure:
- Heavy Duty Diesel Engine Startup Procedure. NVFEL Reference Number 752C, (1995, November), 38 KB PDF, 18 pages.
- Heavy Duty Diesel Engine Break-in Procedure. NVFEL Reference Number 753C, (1995, November), 25 KB PDF, 12 pages.
- Heavy Duty Diesel Engine Setup Procedure. NVFEL Reference Number 751D, (1995, November), 42 KB PDF, 20 pages.
- Heavy Duty Diesel Engine Mapping Procedure. NVFEL Reference Number 754C, (1995, November), 30 KB PDF, 15 pages.

Safety and
Health Topics

Diesel Exhaust

Standards

Hazards and Solutions

Additional
Information

Credits

Content Reviewed 07/06/2005

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