Diesel Soot Puts N.H. Residents at Cancer Risk
By Tia Carioli and Gregory Chisholm
WASHINGTON, Oct. 03, 2002–New Hampshire residents may be at a higher risk for cancer says a new study out of Washington. NHPR Correspondent Gregory Chisholm reports.
Over three hundred people in New Hampshire may be at a higher cancer risk because of diesel soot according to a report released Thursday by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.
According to the report, every county in New Hampshire has unhealthy levels of air toxins, caused in part by diesel engines such as bulldozers, portable generators, and tractors.
Josh Irwin is director of the New Hampshire branch of PIRG.
That’s pretty shocking – rural remote Coos County, the air there, because these pollutants are so harmful, is still above the level the EPA considers acceptable.
The report calls for tougher standards on diesel construction and farm equipment Alan Shaeffer of the Industry’ s Diesel Technology Forum, called the reported risks theoretical.
And he added that diesel engines are 8 times cleaner than 12 years ago and he claims the industry continues to make progress ireducing pollutants further.
For NHPR News this is Greg Chisolm in Washington.
Broadcast on New Hampshire Public Radio, in New Hampshire.
