Diesel exposure puts miners at risk for lung cancer: study
Bethesda, MD – Underground miners exposed to high levels of diesel exhaust from equipment face increased risk for lung cancer, indicates new research from the National Cancer Institute and NIOSH.
An analysis of 12,315 miners in eight non-metal mines found the overall risk of developing cancer was 3 times higher for miners with heavy exposure to diesel than those with lower exposure. Miners with the heaviest exposure were 5 times more likely to develop cancer.
A related study, which adjusted for smoking and other factors, said non-smokers with heavy exposure were 7 times more likely to die from cancer.
The research was published online March 5 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
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