Basic principles of the diesel engine

Abstract

Diesel fuel is a complex mixture produced by the fractional distillation of crude oil. It consists of a mixture of aliphatic hydrocarbons (C9-C20), aromatic hydrocarbons (including benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), and olefinic hydrocarbons. Exposure routes include inhalation, dermal, and oral. The principal toxicities observed in animals exposed acutely or subacutely to diesel fuel include body weight loss, increased water consumption, dermal and ocular irritation, and renal toxicity (acute renal failure; necrosis of the proximal and distal tubular epithelium, tubular dilation), liver toxicity (vacuolation of periportal hepatocytes), and central nervous system depression. Lung damage can occur after inhalation and oral exposure to diesel fuel (caused by aspiration of the diesel fuel with subsequent signs of chemical pneumonitis). Diesel fuels have not been associated with reproductive or developmental effects in rodents. They are possibly genotoxic and caused an increased incidence of skin and liver tumors in animals.