Exposure to diesel engine exhaust (DEE) on some Ontario construction sites, at levels deemed unsafe in other jurisdictions, is prompting calls for greater worker protection.
The new study builds on other
research which concluded that exposure to diesel engine exhaust, at
levels lower than previously considered acceptable, can significantly contribute to the burden of cancer. For health and safety advocates, this mounting evidence supports the urgent adoption of more effective controls including specific regulation of DEE in all workplaces.
Training can help too. Our training programs in real-time, instructor-led virtual classrooms can help you comply with legal requirements and boost your workplace prevention efforts.
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DEE — documenting work site exposures
Exposure to DEE is widespread in mining,
transportation, agriculture, and construction sectors given their
reliance on diesel-powered equipment. Until now though, few studies have delved more deeply into these exposures especially within the construction industry. In this study, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development Occupational Health, Safety and Prevention Innovation Program, Canadian researchers set out to measure and characterize DEE exposure levels in construction work environments.
CAREX Canada estimates some 996,000 Canadians are exposed to
DEE at work. A 2017 report on the
Burden of Occupational Cancer in Ontario identified
DEE as a priority carcinogen estimating 301,000 Ontario workers, nearly five per cent of the working population, are exposed to DEE every year accounting for 170 lung and 45 bladder cancer cases.
DEE is a complex mixture of gases and diesel particulate matter that is difficult to isolate and measure. As such, researchers often use elemental carbon (EC) as a surrogate measure for the carcinogenic effects of DEE. For this study, researchers collected EC measurements at seven civil infrastructure construction worksites and one trades training facility in Ontario. They also collected full-shift personal air samples from workers’ breathing zone. After each shift, workers also completed a questionnaire to gather more information to help
identify potential determinants of exposure.
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Exposures impacted by work setting, enclosed cabins
Ontario has
no occupational exposure limit (OEL) for whole diesel exhaust or diesel particulate matter, other than in mining, so researchers compared DEE exposure readings with health-based limits from the Dutch Expert Committee on Occupational Safety (DECOS) limit (1.03 μg/m³respirable EC) and the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) recommendation (5 μg/m³ respirable EC). They also considered eight variables (bystander exposure, number of workers on site, use of enclosed cabins, job title, work setting, season, equipment type operated and years working in construction) in evaluating DEE exposures.
The researchers found:
- 41.6 per cent of samples exceeded the FIOS limit and 90.6 per cent exceeded the DECOS limit
- Highest exposures were reported in underground environments (e.g., road tunnel finishing) where workers had four times the exposure of above-grade workers and nine times the exposure of above ground workers
- Those working in unenclosed cabins had exposures 2.5 times higher than those working in enclosed cabins
- Training facility exposures were variable but similar to those working above ground.
Prevention strategies from redesign to regulation
While evidence suggests DEE levels have decreased over time, possibly due to tougher environmental regulations, more can be done to reduce levels further. As Ontario lacks occupational exposure limits for DEE in most workplaces, it’s an obvious regulatory gap to fill say the study authors, “The introduction of an occupational exposure limit for DEE may be an effective method to reduce current exposures, as long as it is accompanied by good enforcement.”
Other measures to reduce DEE exposures include:
- Using alternative energy sources
- Revising project tendering to reward firms which use cleaner technologies
- Offering subsidies to businesses to buy cleaner diesel engines, alternative fuel engines, or retrofit older engines
- Minimizing work in unenclosed cabins. Enclosed cabins can reduce exposure to DEE as well as other carcinogens including respirable crystalline silica and solar ultraviolet radiation.
WHSC training and information resources
Begin with our
information resources to raise awareness about hazardous exposures, including
diesel exhaust. But don’t stop there. We also offer
JHSC Certification and
WHMIS training in real-time, instructor-led virtual classrooms and mandatory
Working at Heights training in our COVID-safe in-person classes. Check out our full roster of
Construction Sector Training Programs and
Equipment Operator Competency Training.
Don’t see what you need? Beyond the scheduled classes listed above, and where participant numbers warrant, we can work with you to coordinate almost any of
our training courses for all workers, workplace representatives and supervisors.
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