Diesel Fume Exposure Monitoring

Monitoring for Diesel Fumes exposure will help to ensure that your workplace is safe.

Exposure to Diesel Fumes

The health effect of diesel fumes are of growing concern across the country.

For this reason, many workplaces have shifted to electric motors. However, some continue to rely on diesel engines as electric ones are not always feasible. In general, these are diesel forklift trucks, loading shovels, skid steers, and generators. HGVs in loading bays also are a common source of exposure. With this in mind, companies must have diesel fume workplace air monitoring and ensure that controls are in place to stop employees from working in elevated concentrations.

For this reason, the HSE published HSG187 ‘Control of diesel engine exhaust emissions in the workplace’ guides employers. In the workplace, the presence of visible smoke or deposits of soot may indicate raised levels. Workers may also report problems with their eyes, throat, or lungs.

What’s in the fumes?

The fumes are a complex mix of gases and particulates. In general, they consist of hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulphur, carbon, aldehydes, PAHs and other toxic substances. These substances are generally present below their limits in EH40. However, when combined, they may produce an enhanced effect. Due to this complexity, there is no single overall limit, but the HSE recommends that employers control exposure.

Monitoring Diesel Fumes

It is not possible to carry out workplace air monitoring for diesel fume exposure as a whole. Instead, our Occupational Hygiene Consultants select markers to show high concentrations in an area or for a particular task. As a result, Synergy commonly uses elemental carbon as the marker element. Our occupational hygiene consultants can also use direct reading instruments to back this up. These can show the presence of other emissions, most commonly oxides of nitrogen or carbon monoxide.

Diesel Fume Exposure Limits

Short term exposure can irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs. Longer-term exposure can cause coughing and breathlessness and eventually increase the chance of lung cancer. It is not known precisely which parts of the fume cause ill health. However, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are carcinogens (cancer-causing). Furthermore, using diesel engines within an enclosed environment can cause a build-up of carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, and oxides of sulphur. These can cause asphyxiation and death from long exposures. Changes in the atmosphere can also occur quickly if not controlled or monitored. Due to these severe health effects and their ability to fluctuate, Synergy Occupational Hygiene recommended that employers tightly control them. So, diesel fume must be kept at a minimum as there is no safe exposure level.

Controlling Exposure

The HSE expects employers to use local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems to control diesel fumes. Employers should test and maintain these following HSE guidance HSG258 ‘Controlling airborne contaminants at work’ and have a legal obligation to do so. Synergy Occupational Hygiene Ltd offers these tests and recommends combining diesel fume exposure monitoring with an LEV test whenever possible.