European researchers discover how diesel exhaust particulate matter causes respiratory distress

Just released – Researchers at the European Lung Foundation have found the mechanism by which diesel exhaust particles trigger sensory nerves and cause harmful health effects.  They demonstrated that the cause is the chemicals on the diesel exhaust particle, and not the elemental carbon core.

“Our results indicate that our reliance on fossil fuels, and particularly diesel, could have a detrimental 
effect on our health, supporting the idea that we should be looking towards alternative fuel sources.”

To learn more about this research, see Researchers uncover a mechanism linking inhaled diesel pollution and respiratory distress

For more information on the health effects of diesel exhaust, see the MFN Diesel Exhaust collection.