12 Jun 2012

WHO / FUEL EXHAUST REPORT

International experts today classified diesel engine exhaust as carcinogenic to humans based on sufficient evidence that exposure is associated with an increased risk for lung cancer. WHO / IARC / FILE

Posted at: June 12, 2012 5:57 pm

Duration: 01:23

Available in: SD

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Full script

STORY: WHO / FUEL EXHAUST REPORT
TRT: 1.23
SOURCE: WHO / UNEP / UNICEF / WORLD BANK
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: SPANISH / NATS

DATELINE: 12 JUNE 2012,

SHOTLIST:

WHO / IARC - 12 JUNE 2012, LYON, FRANCE

1. Zoom in, WHO emblem
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Portier, Chairman of the IARC Working Group:
"The number one finding is that diesel exhaust exposures are carcinogenic to humans, a group one carcinogenic, the highest level you can possibly have. Also associated with diesel exhaust is linkage to bladder cancer, but that's a less, that's a much lower linkage. We also reviewed gasoline exhaust and the carcinogenic in gasoline exhaust, and there was very little human evidence that was sufficient to support a known human carcinogenic clause. So that went much lower. That's a possible human carcinogenic group 2 B."

FILE – UNEP – DATES AND LOCATIONS UNKNOWN

3. Close up, car exhaust
4. Wide shot, traffic jam

WHO / IARC 12 JUNE 2012, LYON, FRANCE

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Portier, Chairman of the IARC Working Group:
"We would recommend that they look at these findings, look at the science associated with the findings, and use them to make reasonable decisions about lowering exposure to diesel exhaust in their particular localities."

FILE – UNICEF – 1 FEBRUARY 2012, MORADABAD, INDIA

6. Pan right, traffic jam

WHO / IARC 12 JUNE 2012, LYON, FRANCE

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Portier, Chairman of the IARC Working Group:
"Occupational exposures are higher, generally, than the environmental exposures that you and I might run into, but all of these exposures are indeed a hazard and we should be looking at trying to lower them."

FILE – UNICEF – 30 JUNE 2011, DAKAR, BANGLADESH

8. Wide shot, traffic on street

FILE – WORLD BANK – 2011 - SHAOXIAGN, ZHEJIANG PROVINCE

9. Wide shot, streets with taxis

STORYLINE:

After a week-long meeting of international experts, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO), today (12 June) classified diesel engine exhaust as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), based on sufficient evidence that exposure is associated with an increased risk for lung cancer.

SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Portier, Chairman of the IARC working Group:
"The number one finding is that diesel exhaust exposures are carcinogenic to humans, a group one carcinogenic, the highest level you can possibly have. Also associated with diesel exhaust is linkage to bladder cancer, but that's a less, that's a much lower linkage. We also reviewed gasoline exhaust and the carcinogenic in gasoline exhaust, and there was very little human evidence that was sufficient to support a known human carcinogenic clause. So that went much lower. That's a possible human carcinogenic group 2 B."

In 1988, IARC classified diesel exhaust as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). An Advisory Group which reviews and recommends future priorities for the IARC Monographs Program had recommended diesel exhaust as a high priority for re-evaluation since 1998.

There has been mounting concern about the cancer-causing potential of diesel exhaust, particularly based on findings in epidemiological studies of workers exposed in various settings.

Given the Working Group's rigorous, independent assessment of the science, governments and other decision-makers have a valuable evidence-base on which to consider environmental standards for diesel exhaust emissions and to continue to work with the engine and fuel manufacturers towards those goals.

SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Portier, Chairman of the IARC working Group:
"We would recommend that they look at these findings, look at the science associated with the findings, and use them to make reasonable decisions about lowering exposure to diesel exhaust in their particular localities."

Large populations are exposed to diesel exhaust in everyday life, whether through their occupation or through the ambient air. People are exposed not only to motor vehicle exhausts but also to exhausts from other diesel engines, including from other modes of transport (e.g. diesel trains and ships) and from power generators.

SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Portier, Chairman of the IARC working Group:
"Occupational exposures are higher, generally, than the environmental exposures that you and I might run into, but all of these exposures are indeed a hazard and we should be looking at trying to lower them."

Increasing environmental concerns over the past two decades have resulted in regulatory action in North America, Europe and elsewhere with successively tighter emission standards for both diesel and gasoline engines.

WHO says there is a strong interplay between standards and technology – standards drive technology and new technology enables more stringent standards. For diesel engines, this required changes in the fuel such as marked decreases in sulfur content, changes in engine design to burn diesel fuel more efficiently and reductions in emissions through exhaust control technology