Exposure to the air pollution in many big cities significantly raises the risk of dying from lung cancer. The risk is from what scientists call particle pollution, fine particulate matter of dust, diesel soot, and other carcinogens emitted by cars, trucks, and airplanes. People who live and work next to congested freeways and airports are at least twice as likely to develop cancer from breathing vehicle exhaust than those who live next to highly industrial areas.*

The health risks from particle pollution are greatest for people who work or live near diesel exhaust sources. This includes commercial buildings and offices located near freeways, airports, and other heavily traveled areas. The freeways are packed with diesel fuel burning engines that emit more than 40 chemicals that are considered toxic by the EPA. Also consider the fact that most cars and trucks have radial tires, which spew billions of tiny latex particles into the atmosphere every day by the wear and tear of ordinary driving.

Indoor air can be up to a 100 times more polluted than outdoor air. Standard commercial HVAC systems pull in polluted outside air from roof top air handlers and re-circulate it throughout the building, forming a sort of chemical soup. The outside air is full of diesel soot, dangerous particulate matter, harmful gases, and carcinogens emitted from the thousands of cars and trucks that travel the freeway each day.

Particle pollution causes a broad range of health problems. Exposure worsens asthma and causes wheezing, coughing, and respiratory irritation in anyone with sensitive airways. It also triggers heart attacks, cardiac arrythmias (irregular heartbeat), lung cancer and premature death. The particles are too small to be filtered by the body's defense and they become lodged in the lungs. The smallest of the particles can even enter the bloodstream via the lungs. The gases and ultrafine particles from diesel exhaust can cause mutations in cells that can lead to cancer.

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