[Carcinogenic effects of diesel emission: an epidemiological review]

The results of recent epidemiological studies and meta-analysis relating to carcinogenic effects of diesel emissions in exposed populations were reviewed. Statistical, but still not causal association between risk of lung cancer and occupational exposure to diesel emissions was found in a great number of studies under review. Long-term exposure to diesel exhausts (> 20 years) increases by 30-40% lung cancer risk in workers of the transport industry: truck drivers, diesel engine mechanics, locomotive engineers and brakesmen. The results are inconsistent among heavy equipment operators, bus drivers and miners. Relative risk of lung cancer among workers occupationally exposed to diesel emission may be comparable with that of environmental tobacco smoke. Further research is also needed in the area of carcinogenic mechanisms, and biomarkers of exposure should be developed and validated before reliable quantitative estimates of risk of harmful effects to the human health in occupational setting are made.