Background:
In western countries, the atmospheric urban pollution originated by demographic
explosion of big cities, and increased number of transport vehicles, especially
those with diesel engines (DE), has adverse effects in human health.
Aims:
1st) Divulge among paediatricians the knowledge of the main
pollutants produced by DE, its actual and potential risks to human health,
especially to paediatric population with his particular biologic and social
exposure features. 2nd) Urge Public Institutions to adopt those legal
measures oriented to reduce diesel exhaust in order to protect general and
paediatric population health.
Material and
Methods:
Systematic literature review of the last 30 years, using Medline, Science
Citation Index and Embase, completed with books and publication by recognised
Environmental Protection Institutions, on adverse effects in human health,
especially during paediatric period, related to environmental pollutants of
diesel exhaust. Search profiles were: “human health effects and diesel exhaust
emissions”, “air pollution and diesel exhaust emissions”, “paediatric
health and diesel exhaust emissions”, “diesel school buses” and “diesel
emissions and human exposure”. The most relevant articles were retrieved as
well as the most important references published in the previous years.
Results:
The fuel of urban transport vehicles contributes to atmospheric pollution and
causes a morbi-mortality, which are twice/three times higher than that related
to traffic accidents. Diesel engines use less refined fuels than gasoline
engines and produce higher concentrations of NOx, SO2, and fine and
ultrafine particles, but because of its favourable cost/benefit ratio, are being
applied in all kind of urban transport. Diesel exhaust are responsible of
different respiratory entities of upper and lower airways, asthma crisis, school
and work absenteeism, and are classified as probably human cancerigens. Modern
social tendencies determine daily transport in diesel school buses, and
subsequently an increased time exposure to diesel exhaust of the paediatric
population.
Conclusions:
1) Urban transport atmospheric pollution produces an important morbi-mortality,
higher than that related to traffic accidents. 2) Diesel exhaust whose chemical
pollutants concentration is higher than that produced by gasoline emissions,
significantly increase urban environmental pollution. 3) Although there are no
epidemiological studies assessing the impact of diesel exhaust on the paediatric
population, there is a general concern on its effects in the short, medium and
long-term, especially that related to diesel school buses. 4) In order to reduce
urban atmospheric pollution and its adverse effects in health, fossil fuels of
vehicles should be replaced by less pollutant energetic alternatives for school
and urban transport.
KEY
WORDS:
School Buses. Diesel Engines and Exhaust. Pediatric Exposure. Atmospheric
Pollution. Adverse Health Effects.
PEHSU-VALENCIA. 2003