Exhaust fumes - how dangerous are they?

Exhaust fumes are extremely dangerous and can seriously injure and even kill people who are exposed. Exhaust fumes from heaters, for example, contain carbon monoxide, which is regarded as the commonest single cause of poisoning in both industry and the home.

Carbon monoxide is produced by internal combustion engines (eg cars, trucks, forklifts), gas heaters, furnaces, kilns and other equipment, as well as in some manufacturing processes. Many workers in many industries are potentially exposed to this hazard. Click here for more detailed information on Carbon Monoxide (its effects, exposure standard, etc)

The exhaust gases which are discharged from engines run on diesel contain several constituents that are harmful to human health and to the environment. the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded in June 2012 that diesel engine exhaust is a Group 1 carcinogen – that is, carcinogenic to humans. Click here for more information on Diesel Exhaust fumes.

Last updated, February 2015