Diesel engines emit more than 40 substances that are listed by the U.S. EPA as hazardous air pollutants, including cancer-causing substances such as arsenic, benzene, formaldehyde, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Here are a few questions and answers about dirty diesel trucks. That includes everything from today's largest pickup trucks to the biggest of big-rigs. Big trucks are legally allowed to emit as much pollution as several dozen of today's cars. Big trucks and buses are one of the biggest sources of pollution - especially in urban areas.
Diesel soot is a toxic air pollutant linked to human cancer.
A new analysis by state and local clean air regulators concludes that more than 125,000 Americans will get cancer from diesel fumes. Other studies have linked diesel exhaust to the development of asthma. In many cities, diesel exhaust is the biggest source of fine particulate soot. In addition to causing cancer, health studies have shown that fine particle soot can shorten our lives in other ways - in fact, that up to 50,000 people die prematurely each year because of it. Yes - even though equipment is available.