The recent scandal regarding Volkswagen (VW) selling half a million diesel cars after bypassing minimal air pollution standards has received a lot of attention. While most of the public discussions have focused on air pollution and climate change instead of human health hazards, what many do not realize is that there are huge implications of having more diesel engine emissions. Specifically, diesel engine exhaust is a human carcinogen. This has led some reporters to note that the “dieselgate” problem is actually a cancer problem.
Research scientists who have worked in the field of public health and cancer for years, in particular, are expressing serious concerns. They’ve noted that there is clear evidence that diesel exhaust causes cancer, while there is no such evidence of gasoline having the same effects. This should be of concern because the incidence of lung cancer in non-smokers has been on the rise, even for those who do not face particular occupational risks and while genetic issues have not played a major role in the risk of developing lung cancer. There is also evidence that diesel exhaust causes inflammation and is toxic to DNA.
What In Diesel Is Causing Cancer?
Scientists are actually having a difficult time teasing out which chemicals in diesel, specifically, are causing cancer because every day environmental exposures are difficult to measure and it can be difficult to distinguish what, in the environment, comes from air pollution, and what comes from diesel exhaust. Some scientists suspect that the cause is particulate matter or other polyaromatic hydrocarbons.
High Incidence from Occupational Exposure
The Journal of the National Cancer Institute has published papers specifically on the link between occupational exposure to diesel exhaust and lung cancer, and others have looked very specifically at diesel exhaust chemistry and problems associated with asthma, general respiratory issues, heart disease, and lung cancer. Last year, Environmental Health Perspectives also published a study noting that diesel engine exhaust accounts for six percent of all lung cancer deaths due to occupational exposure.
Litigation against VW
Frustrated by the many issues associated with having purchased cars that promise to be one thing when they are another, as well as the hazard that these cars pose to public health at this point, some VW owners have decided to go to court and file class action lawsuits. It’s easy to understand why when you look at the many federal and state laws that VW violated in selling and distributing these cars.
Harrell & Nowak
Companies sometimes violate federal, state and local environmental laws that regulate the discharge of toxic wastes and other pollutants into the environment. Sometimes the company or person in charge decides that it’s cheaper to pollute than to prevent toxic and chemical exposure to innocent people.
Having spent years litigating against these bad actors and negligent parties, the attorneys of Harrell & Nowak can be your environmental hazards lawyer in New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, and other areas throughout Louisiana. Please contact us today for a free consultation.