Last month the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a part of the World Health Organization, announced that scientific evidence has uncovered a direct link between lung cancer risk and exposure to diesel exhaust. They also reported a less strong link, between diesel exhaust exposure and bladder cancer. Their findings were published in the June 18, 2012 issue of Lancet Oncology.

Diesel exhaust comes from engines in many buses, trucks, trains, ships and some automobiles, as well as heavy equipment used in a variety of industrial sectors such as farming, mining, construction and electricity generation. Exposure can be lessened by reducing engine idling, upgrading equipment with newer technology to reduce emissions and having proper ventilation if you are around diesel exhaust in the workplace.

"Knowing we are exposed to toxins that can increase our risk of developing cancer can be very overwhelming," explains naturopathic oncologist Lise Alschuler, ND, coauthor of Five to Thrive: Your Cutting Edge Cancer Prevention Plan (Active Interest Media, 2011). "But remember that the human body has a very sophisticated detoxification system to get rid of these toxins, so if we support that internal system properly through diet, lifestyle and dietary supplements, we will be better able to eliminate carcinogens we are exposed to."

Alschuler recommends a diet high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods such as colorful fruits and vegetables. She also recommends taking glutathione (a.k.a. the master antioxidant) to support detoxification and liver function. "Try to reduce exposure to toxins in the environment and foods by spending less time in traffic and more time in nature," says Alschuler. "And buy organic foods whenever possible.” She points out that organic foods  contain far fewer toxins than conventionally grown foods and therefore put less strain on the body’s detoxification system.

Back in 1988 the IARC reported that diesel exhaust was likely linked to cancer in humans. This revised classification is based on several large human clinical trials, including the Diesel Exhaust in Miners Study performed by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Chair of the IARC, Christopher Portier, PhD, said a tremendous amount of scientific evidence links the potential harmful effects of diesel exhaust and its constituents. He concluded, “We are pleased that data from our study played an important role in the re-evaluation by providing some of the strongest evidence of an association between diesel exhaust and lung cancer risk.” This most recent evaluation featured advice from 24 experts in seven countries.