National Study on Diesel-Related Health Risks
A study presented by the State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators (STAPPA) and the Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials (ALAPCO) in March 2000 titled “Cancer Risk from Diesel Particulate”, found that diesel emissions is responsible for as many as 125,000 cancer cases in the US. Estimated cancers in metropolitan areas totaled 119,570 while the rest were made up in the non-metropolitan areas. The highest numbers included Los Angeles at 16,250 and New York at 10,360. The percentage of residents in metropolitan to non-metropolitan stands at an 80%-20% ratio.
STAPPA/ALAPCO later concluded that sheer size of the cancer threat posed by diesel particulate matter makes a very compelling case for the EPA to assert control over the regulations on on-road and off-road diesel engines.
Based on studies, the need to retrofit vehicles becomes more apparent. The technology is readily available to decrease diesel emissions and particulate matter at the source by using products like Diesel Particulate Filters and Closed Crankcase Ventilation Systems. These products exist not only to reduce health risks, but allow us to keep the air clean for the future.