We know the dangers of diesel emissions
The latest research study to come out of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland concludes that diesel emissions cause lung cancer. It concludes that exposure to diesel emissions, even at low levels, increases a nonsmokers chance of dying from lung cancer by 50 percent.
At the highest level of exposure, the results showed a 7X greater chance of dying of lung cancer due to diesel emission. Note: that is not contracting lung cancer, the report reads dying of lung cancer. Please do not consider development that will introduce diesel emissions into our community. Several trade unions have already instituted new regulations to protect their workers based on the preliminary data from this report. The federal government and EPA are considering the health effects to our nation based on the newly released data. We have not heard the end of this. Diesel just became a “dirty word.”
In DuPage County we already have numerous diesel emission sources from industry, several major expressways, rail lines and proximity to O’Hare International Airport. In the future we will probably have to face the music for these amenities. In the meantime, please work to limit the diesel emissions in our community.
As elected officials, you have been entrusted with the health, safety and welfare of our communities. Please do not leave a legacy of increased air pollution for our children. It’s like cigarettes, that old excuse, “We just didn’t know how bad it was for you,” doesn’t hold water anymore. We know. The National Institutes of Health just told us.
Additional resources are almost infinite on the subject of diesel carcinogens as this latest research was picked up by every major news agency in the world last month. The complete study and editorials were posted on the Journal of the National Cancer Institute website.
Julie Schnell
Lisle