Abstract
Air pollution is an important public health matter, with associated cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality. Diesel exhaust is a significant contributor to air pollution and one of the most commonly encountered atmospheric toxins encountered by people living urban and rural areas of the world. There is expected to be a significant increase in the use of diesel powered passenger vehicles, generators and industrial power plants in Nigeria in the near future and in the world at large as a result of population increase. This article aims to review the literature available on the health effects of human exposure to diesel exhaust and consider the potential health implications of more diesel powered plant operators in Nigeria and the environment at large.