I have a question about a study pertaining to brain damage from diesel exhaust, can anyone knowledgeable help?

Question

Dr. Kaye H. Kilburn wrote what is on the website. He is a reputable MD with an extensive history studying the effect of various chemicals and substances on the brain.

This article contains the conclusions of his study on diesel exhaust as neurotoxic. http://www.neuro-test.com/fieldStudies/dieselExhaust.html

The study showed that even people working downwind of sources from diesel exhaust had cognitive deficiencies and abnormalities when applied to a battery of tests.

To duplicate the damage done to the people involved in this study, what sort of exposure is necessary? Am I in danger of brain damage, just by getting two or three shallow breaths of diesel exhaust once/twice a day? Or does this apply only to people who breathe it in for hours at a time?

Answer 1

you are getting very little exposure, and have many hours for your lungs to recover by NOT breathing diesel exhaust.

I doubt that damage is being done.

i'm not an expert.

Answer 2

If you read the study report you will note that the population he studied was railroad workers and diesel mechanics. These are folks who experience high levels of exposure in a concentrated area for several hours a day over months or years.

You, as the average person, would be breathing hundreds of parts per billion (a measure of particulate matter) less exhaust per day than these people.

Unless you live downwind (within a mile or two) of a refinery, transit hub (like a port or rail terminal with heavy traffic) then you would not be at the same risk because your exposure level would be much lower.

Your brain damage risk is therefore much lower than those people who work in these areas (ports, train terminals, refineries, power plants,  mechanics) unless you get a job there.

Answer 3

I tried to quickly find research articles pertaining to this subject through EBSCOhost and MEDline, where there are electronic files studies found in top medical journals. I did notice there were many articles relating to cardiovascular risk, lung problems, and possibly cancer. If you are seriously concerned you could find one of these databases and do the research yourself, but you will have to pay for the article. The articles will likely mention the severity and duration of exposure to the diesel exhaust to those who exhibited cognitive deficiencies, if they did. You would probably be able to find this information by looking to see if Dr. Kaye has ever published his study, in which case you would prob find the info you are looking for.

BTW- sometimes medical professionals, environmentalists etc dont know how damaging something is until there have been multiple studies. Anyway, it's a good idea to see if there are any current research findings that suggest a possible hazard regarding cognitive deficiencies...But, if i were you, i would also consider the other health problems that may be associated with it.

Happy hunting