Diesel Engines & Public Health

Diesel-powered transportation sources in the US are responsible for over 60 percent of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and more than 70 percent of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions. The World Health Organization classifies diesel exhaust as carcinogenic, with components like PM2.5 and NOx causing respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, premature death, and reduced lung function. These health impacts disproportionately affect communities of color and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. While over 100 models of electric trucks and buses are currently available, the document argues that public policy is necessary to accelerate the market and address the climate crisis and health disparities.

• Diesel-powered transportation sources in the US account for more than 70 percent of all fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and over 60 percent of all nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. Specifically, heavy-duty diesel vehicles such as garbage trucks and big-rigs contribute 25 percent of PM2.5 and 20 percent of NOx emitted by vehicles nationwide.
• Diesel exhaust is classified by the World Health Organization as carcinogenic to humans. Its components, including NOx and PM2.5, cause respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, inflammation, and premature death, even at concentrations lower than current federal standards. Ultrafine particulates, which comprise 80 to 95 percent of diesel soot, are small enough to penetrate lung cells.
• Nitrogen oxides (NOx) from diesel engines act as a pollutant and a precursor to ground-level ozone and fine particulate pollution. Long-term NOx exposure is linked to asthma development, while ground-level ozone causes coughing, choking, and reduced lung capacity. Ozone pollution also reduces agricultural output globally, an effect expected to worsen with climate change.
• Communities of color and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups suffer disproportionately higher exposures to PM2.5 pollution, a disparity that has persisted despite overall reductions in ambient concentrations over the last 40 years.
• There are currently over 100 models of electric trucks and buses available. The California Air Resources Board predicts that electric trucks will achieve a favorable total cost of ownership (TCO) by 2030 due to falling technology costs and state policies.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2005). Diesel Engines & Public Health. https://www.ucs.org/resources/diesel-engines-public-health

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Diesel Engines & Public Health. 2005. https://www.ucs.org/resources/diesel-engines-public-health.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Diesel Engines & Public Health |date=15 July 2005 |url=https://www.ucs.org/resources/diesel-engines-public-health |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2005diesel, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Diesel Engines \& Public Health}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2005}, month = jul, url = {https://www.ucs.org/resources/diesel-engines-public-health}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }