Regular exposure to diesel engine exhaust can increase the risk of lung cancer, international experts ruled last night.
The ruling, from a World Health Organisation agency meeting in Lyon, France, increases the risk officially linked to diesel.
WHO has regarded the fumes as potentially cancer-causing since 1988 – a classification that still applies to petrol exhaust.
Dr Christopher Portier, chair of the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s working group, said: "The scientific evidence was compelling and the Working Group’s conclusion was unanimous: diesel engine exhaust causes lung cancer in humans."
He added: “Given the additional health impacts from diesel particulates, exposure to this mixture of chemicals should be reduced worldwide.“
Cancer Research UK said the number of cases of lung cancer linked to diesel remained a tiny fraction of those caused by smoking.
Dr Lesley Walker, of Cancer Research UK, said: "This report, from an international panel of experts, sends a clear message that diesel fumes can cause lung cancer.
"The evidence of harmful health effects of diesel, particularly for people exposed to high levels through their jobs, has been accumulating for many years. But, the overall number of lung cancers caused by diesel fumes is likely to be a fraction of those caused by smoking tobacco.
"In the UK there are already guidelines in place to protect employees from the harmful effects of diesel fumes. Employers and workers should take appropriate action to minimise exposure in the workplace."
The Lancet June 15 2012
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