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Diesel Exhaust

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.

Research Report 16
Charles M King
1988

This report describes a study by Dr. King to investigate in rats the carcinogenic properties of nitropyrene and related compounds and how these compounds are metabolically activated in target tissues. Nitropyrenes and related nitroaromatics are of interest because of their ubiquity in diesel emissions and reported carcinogenicity.

Research Report 10
CP Yu
GB Xu
1987

Dr. Yu's project addressed several important issues regarding improved quantification of dose from known concentrations of atmospheric particulate matter. By focusing first on a specific category of automotive-derived particles, diesel exhaust particulate, Dr. Yu was able to characterize those aerosol properties (such as the mass medican aerodynamic diameter and size distribution) that influence regional deposition. After formulating a mathematical deposition model, Dr.

Research Report 8
Joe L Mauderly
David E Bice
Robert L Carpenter
Nancy A Gillett
Rogene F Henderson
John A Pickrell
Ronald K Wolff
1987

Previous research has reported that the lung development of animals exposed to oxidant gases early in life might be impaired, or that developing lungs might be more susceptible than adult lungs to inhaled toxicants. Dr. Mauderly and colleagues at the Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute examined the age-related differences in the physiological responses of rats to inhaled automotive emissions. The younger group was exposed during gestation and through the age of six months, while the older group was exposed between the age of six and twelve months.

Research Report 7
John D Groopman
1987

Research Report 7 describes a study that attempted to produce monoclonal antibodies to DNA adducts of nitropyrene that could be used to study the mechanism of nitropyrene-induced carcinogenesis or develop analytical techniques for monitoring exposed populations. Dr. Groopman immunized mice against nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons conjugated with a carrier protein to study the progression of immune response. Dr. Groopman injected four antigens into groups of BALB/c, AJ, and NZB mice. Two of the antigens failed to produce any immune response.

Research Report 5
Susan T Bagley
Linda D Dorie
David G Leddy
John H Johnson
1987

Dr. Bagley and colleagues at Michigan Technical University examined the chemical mutagenic effects of a ceramic particle trap on a medium-duty diesel engine. Diesel exhaust particles and vapor phase samples were collected from diluted (15:1) exhaust of a 10.4L displacement Caterpillar 3208 engine. The investigators compared uncontrolled (baseline) emissions with exhaust that had been modified by the use of an uncatalyzed monolithic ceramic trap.

Research Report 4
Frederick A Beland
1986

Nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common environmental contaminants that often contain genotoxic activity. Dinitropyrenes are a class of PAHs that are associated with diesel exhaust. In this study, Dr. Beland and colleagues at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences sought to determine what factors contribute to the extreme genotoxicity of dinitropyrenes in bacteria and to establish if the same factors were important for the genotoxicity of dinitropyrenes in mammalian systems.

Research Report 2
James A Bond
Michele A Medinsky
James D Sun
1986

Nitro-polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, including 1-nitropyrene, are constituents of diesel exhaust. Previous fractionation research has suggested that 1-nitropyrene and various dinitropyrenes may account for 20-50% of the total mutagenicity in the diesel particle extract (DPE). Dr. Bond and colleagues at the Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute examined the biological fate of inhaled 14C-1-nitropyrene (NP) in Fischer-344 rats.

New health studies launched on traffic-related air pollution exposure, diesel fleet turnover

October 21, 2024

HEI is pleased to announce the launch of five studies it is funding as the result of two separate research solicitations: Request for Applications 23-1, Assessing Health Effects of Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP); and Request for Qualifications 24-1, Benefits Assessment of Accelerated Turnover of the On-Road Diesel Vehicle Fleet in the United States.

Study assesses air, health improvements from CA Goods Movement Plan

May 25, 2021

A new HEI Research Report by Ying-Ying Meng at the University of California, Los Angeles, and colleagues examines the impact of the 2006 California Goods Movement Plan on air quality and healthcare utilization among adults with chronic health conditions who were enrolled in California’s health care program for low-income individuals (Medi-Cal).

Study examines real-world emissions characterization in two traffic tunnels

March 26, 2019

HEI has published Research Report 199, which describes a study led by Dr. Xiaoliang Wang at the Desert Research Institute in Reno, Nevada. Wang and his colleagues sought to evaluate how mobile-source emissions have changed through real-world emission characterization in two traffic tunnels: the Shing Mun Tunnel in Hong Kong and the Fort McHenry Tunnel in Baltimore, Maryland.

Winter 2019 Update now available

February 20, 2019

In this issue of Update, read about a major new HEI study that measured progress on air quality in traffic tunnels, as well as two new HEI studies that examined secondary organic aerosols. Also in this edition, read about how we’re building our Strategic Plan for 2020–2025, our upcoming Annual Conference in Seattle, Washington, and more.

Examining air pollution and neurocognitive effects in older women

October 12, 2017

HEI has published Research Report 193, which describes a novel study of older women in the United States led by Jiu-Chiuan Chen of the University of Southern California. The investigators examined the possible association between long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter and changes in brain volumes and in neurocognitive outcomes, specifically mild cognitive impairment and dementia.