Diesel Exhaust

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This page has a list of publications and news articles related to Air Pollution - Diesel Exhaust. Find more information about our research on Air Pollution.

Characterization of Particle- and Vapor-Phase Organic Fraction Emissions of a Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine Equipped with a Particle Trap and Regeneration Controls

Research Report 56

Susan T Bagley

Linda D Gratz

David G Leddy

John H Johnson

1993

Topics:

Diesel Exhaust

Devices have been developed to reduce particle emissions from vehicles with diesel engines, such as a trap that filters the particles from the exhaust. Periodically, the trap is cleaned (regenerated) by electric heating, thereby burning the particles before they can clog the trap. There is concern that potentially harmful chemicals associated with the particles may be emitted from the trap during normal use and regeneration. Dr.

Mutations Induced by 1-Nitrosopyrene and Related Compounds During DNA Recombination by These Compounds

Research Report 55

Veronica M Maher

Nitai P Bhattacharyya

M Chia-Miao Mah

Janet Boldt

Jia-Ling Yang

J Justin McCormick

1993

Topics:

Diesel Exhaust

Nitropyrenes, which form during diesel fuel combustion, cause mutations and are carcinogenic in some animals. Dr. Veronica Maher and colleagues at Michigan State University studied the effect of nitropyrene-DNA adducts on gene mutation. The investigators exposed a specific gene, in culture, to each of two nitropyrene derivatives. They then (1) compared the number of adducts formed by each derivative, (2) analyzed the chemical structure of the adducts, and (3) determined in which region of the DNA the adducts formed.

Role of Ring Oxidation in the Metabolic Activation of 1-Nitropyrene

Research Report 46

Frederick A Beland

1991

Topics:

Diesel Exhaust

Nitropyrenes are a class of chemicals found in diesel engine exhaust that can form DNA adducts and are suspected animal carcinogens. Dr. Beland at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences examined the relationship between DNA adducts and cancer in laboratory animals treated with 1-nitropyrene, the major nitropyrene present in diesel engine exhaust. The investigator used state-of-the-art techniques to study DNA adducts formed from 1-nitropyrene under different conditions of exposure, with an emphasis on identifying unique adducts that had not been recognized before.

The Effects of Exercise on Dose and Dose Distribution of Inhaled Automotive Pollutants

Research Report 45

Michael T Kleinman

William J Mautz

1991

Topics:

The human health effects that result from breathing air pollutants depend on the amount of pollutant inhaled from the air (exposure dose) and the amount of inhaled material that stays in the respiratory tract (retained dose). Because the retained dose of a pollutant may damage the respiratory tract and cause disease, it is a key factor for determining appropriate government regulations for air pollutants. Drs.

Retention Modeling of Diesel Exhaust Particles in Rats and Humans

Research Report 40

CP Yu

KJ Yoon

1991

Topics:

Diesel Exhaust

Biological Methods

This report describes a study by Drs. Yu and Yoon to mathematically predict the lung burden in rats and humans of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) from automobile emissions. Building on a previously constructed model describing DEP deposition, the present work focused on clearance and retention of DEPs deposited in the lung. The transport rates of each component of DEPs were derived using experimental data and mathematical approximations. The complete model was first developed for rats and then extrapolated to humans of different age groups.

Oxidant Effects on Rat and Human Lung Proteinase Inhibitors

Research Report 37

David A Johnson

R Steve Winters

Kwan R Lee

Craig E Smith

1990

Topics:

Diesel Exhaust

Nitrogen Oxides

This report describes a study by Dr. Johnson and colleagues to test the hypothesis that inhaled oxidants can cause lung damage by inactivating the proteinase inhibitors that normally protect the lung from proteolysis. In the first set of experiments, the functional activity of rat alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor (á1-PI) was measured in rat lung lavage fluid from rats exposed acutely or chronically to varying concentrations of NO₂, diesel exhaust, O₃, and O₃ in conjunction with CO₂.