GMR (GENERAL MOTORS RESEARCH) STUDIES DIESEL HEALTH EFFECTS

A survey is presented of research at the General Motors Research Laboratory (GMRL) Biomedical Science Department aimed at quantifying exposure, studying the body's systemic defenses, and examining the cell's biological response to diesel exhaust. Important factors in evaluating the health effects of diesel particulate emissions include dose levels of particulate exposure; particle size, to determine location of deposit in the body's airways; particle deposition and clearance; bioavailability of the soluble fraction; molecular toxicity of the soluble compounds and mechanisms of genetic damage; dose-response relationships; and risk assessments of any quantifiable biological change associated with exposure. Deposite massive exposures and excessive accumulation of particles in the lungs of experimental animals, no increased risk for tumor formation has been confirmed and no changes in pulmonary function and structure detected to date at GMRL. An animal's defense system seems to be fully capable of protecting it against potential adverse health effects of diesel emissions at levels well in excess of expected ambient concentrations. In this respect, GMR's results support findings of the British London Transport Study which examined male diesel bus operators and mechanics. After this 25 year epidemiological study, researchers determined that lung cancer rates in this group did not differ significantly from rates expected among the Greater London population in the same age group.

• Corporate Authors:

  General Motors Corporation

  Research and Development Center, 30500 Mound Road
  Warren, MI  United States  48090
• Publication Date: 1980-9

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 6 p.
• Serial:
  • SEARCH
  • Volume: 15
  • Issue Number: 5

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash exposure; Diesel engines; Environmental impacts; Exhaust gases; Hazards; Health; Living things; Particulates; Risk assessment
• Identifier Terms: General Motors Corporation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Exposure
• Old TRIS Terms: Biological factors
• Subject Areas: Environment; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00379487
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-030 197
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Nov 30 1983 12:00AM