Do Diesel Exhaust Exposure andSmoking Affect Health of Employees at A Logistic Company in Western Australia?

Objective: This study aimed to introduce a semi-quantitative approach and assess historical occupational diesel exhaust exposure, tobacco smoking and related health effects in workers in Western Australia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional occupational survey wasconducted at an Australian logistics company with a total of 87 male voluntary participants. Results: 53 employees were exposed to diesel exhaust in the workplace for between 2 and 41 years and their Cumulative Occupational Exposure Indexes (CEIs) were between 1.73 and 66.63. When CEI was used to classify the exposure groups, a collective cancer indicator “all cancers” appeared higher in long term exposure groups (p<0.05). Further examinations on smoking habit and Smoking Index (SI) revealed that long term heavy smoking can be a significant confounding factor for respiratory diseases and symptoms (e.g. cough, p<0.05). Moreover, respiratory ill health risk in ex-smoker should not be ignored. Conclusions:This study has identified that a semi-quantitative approach may be useful in assessing long term exposure to diesel exhaust and tobacco smoking and their possible link with adverse health effects. It is necessary to conduct larger scale analytical studies to examine and confirm the findings from this initial study.