New Guidance Released for Occupational Hygienists on Health Risks from Diesel Engine Exhaust Emissions
The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS), the Chartered Society for Worker Health Protection, and the Faculty of Occupational Hygiene have joined forces to publish new guidance on the assessment and control of health risks from diesel engine exhaust emissions (DEEEs). The guidance, released on Tuesday 3 February 2026, is aimed to provide professional information for experts and help health and safety professionals understand the necessary approaches for controlling exposure to DEEEs.
Experts are urging employers who use diesel-powered equipment and vehicles to take necessary precautions and understand the best ways to control emissions, or seek expert advice from competent sources.
According to BOHS President-Elect Sarah Leeson, diesel engines play a significant role in powering the UK economy and transitioning to other power sources is best for the environment and human health. However, it may not always be easy to do so. Leeson emphasizes the need for controlling DEEEs in the workplace to reduce harmful exposures to a reasonably achievable level. The new guidance aims to assist those responsible for workplace health in achieving this goal.
Research studies have shown that DEEEs pose serious occupational health risks. These emissions have been linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer in women, as well as lung, head and neck, laryngeal, gastric, rectal, and oesophageal cancers. Short-term exposure to DEEEs can also cause eye and respiratory irritation, headaches, nausea, and dizziness.
It is estimated that occupational exposure to DEEEs contributes to around 650 deaths each year in the UK, primarily from lung and bladder cancer. Thousands more workers are believed to be exposed to diesel fumes in their daily work, especially in industries such as construction, transport, logistics, warehousing, mining, manufacturing, and maintenance.
The new BOHS guidance complements and updates the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) guidance HSG187, Control of diesel engine exhaust emissions in the workplace – HSE (2012). It takes into account advances in technology, current scientific evidence, and ongoing public health concerns.
DEEEs are a complex mixture of harmful substances, and their composition varies depending on factors such as engine age, maintenance, operating conditions, and fuel type. This means that exposure levels can vary widely between workplaces. While measures such as ultra-low sulphur fuels, diesel particulate filters, and new technology diesel engines have reduced some emissions, they have not entirely eliminated the risk, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated environments.
The new BOHS guidance is designed to help occupational hygienists and employers:
– Understand the nature and variability of diesel engine exhaust exposures
– Conduct effective measurement and assessment of health risks
– Identify and implement appropriate control measures
– Reduce preventable cases of serious work-related health issues
BOHS CEO Professor Kevin Bampton stresses the importance of controlling exhaust emissions, not just for environmental and moral reasons, but also as a corporate risk management measure. Bampton points out that it has been 14 years since DEEEs were declared as cancer-causing, and personal injury lawyers in the UK are now actively seeking clients who may have been over-exposed to these emissions at work. He adds that controlling exhaust emissions should be a top priority for employers, as it can have a significant impact on both current and future financial performance if not managed correctly.
The guidance is based on various research studies, including a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies on the risk of gynaecological and breast cancers, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer in workers exposed to diesel exhaust emissions.
For more information, visit https://pressat.co.uk/
