Health authorities say any exposure to diesel soot can cause life-threatening conditions in children and adults.

The World Health Organisation’s latest review says effects of diesel soot on young brain development cannot be ignored.

The report includes disturbing new findings about the damaging effects that fine particle pollution can have on children’s brains, as well as causing asthma and diabetes.

Burnt diesel fuel is one of the main sources of the damaging particulates.

The report, “Review of Evidence on Health Aspects of Air Pollution”,  has now been published after almost 30 scientists from the World Health Organisation’s Regional Office for Europe compiled the far-reaching review.

WHO reviews scientific evidence to periodically update its air quality guidelines, the most recent update coming in 2005.

Their latest review says recent studies suggest the harmful effects of air pollution are worse than previously thought, and international guidelines should now be updated.

“The adverse effects on health of particulate matter (PM) are especially well documented,” the review says.

“There is no evidence of a safe level of exposure or a threshold below which no adverse health effects occur.

“Pollution from PM creates a substantial burden of disease, reducing life expectancy by almost 9 months on average in Europe.”

The section on fine particles PM2.5 - particulates smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter – warns that they can travel deep into the lungs and cause deadly respiratory issues in children and ongoing problems for adults.

“Birth cohort studies in Europe and elsewhere published since 2005 have reported significant associations between exposure to PM2.5 and respiratory infections and asthma in young children,” says the review.

“Since 2005, further evidence has emerged of the effects of long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution on diseases other than cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

“Evidence suggests effects on diabetes, neurological development in children and neurological disorders in adults.

“The evidence for an association with diabetes … has been strengthened significantly.”