EXPOSURE to high levels of diesel fumes could well be the next biggest occupational health threat since asbestos, exposing the Australian and world mining and trucking industries to multiple public liability claims says hydraulic engineer and inventor, Norm Mathers.
Mr Mathers said world leading technology exists currently in Australia to reduce harmful diesel emissions, however truck
ing and mining companies have refused to use it.
He said despite numerous medical studies over the past decade finding that long term exposure to diesel fumes is likely linked to an array of serious health issues, particularly cancer and dementia, large multinational trucking and mining companies have continued to ignore the warnings.
Because of these warnings, the European Union Commission has demanded direct action on reducing use in trucks and buses by 2025.
“Exhaust chemical cleaning was introduced in the 2012 period, yet there was only limited industry response to reduce diesel use, despite the full knowledge that technology exists to reduce fumes which could make a monumental difference to the protection of the public, exposed workers and drivers’ health.”
Mr Mathers has investigated the issue through Mathers Hydraulics Technology, which has developed a technology which reduces diesel emissions by turning engines off when idle and thereby reducing emissions significantly in heavy traffic conditions.
Mr Mathers said he is simply echoing public sentiment when stating Europe is again showing the way by enacting positive and practical solutions and Australia should simply introduce identical enforced legislation.
“Australia needs to change our emission targets to mirror that of the EU Commission,” he said.
“In order to achieve a 35 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030, it is impossible unless you can capture braking energy in trucks and buses.
“It has to be applied to buses, waste trucks, delivery trucks, Class 8 trucks as well as all underground and above ground mining machinery.
“Lastly, there needs to be a lot more research into the association between diesel emission exposure and coal dust which causes black lung and similar diseases.”
Diesel Fumes Could be Putting Health at Risk
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