Diesel exhaust is a mixture of gasses, including hydrocarbons, as well as a variety of other types of fine particles, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment. Breathing diesel hydrocarbons causes a number of different health conditions, ailments and problems. In some cases, the long term breathing of diesel hydrocarbons can result in death.
Oxygen Intake
The most fundamental health effect of breathing diesel hydrocarbons is interference of oxygen intake into your body, according to the Coalition for Clean Air. The technical term for this interference is oxygen displacement. The immediate effect of breathing diesel hydrocarbons is difficulty breathing and coughing.
Pre-existing Condition Aggravation
The effects of breathing diesel hydrocarbons include an aggravation of pre-existing conditions such as bronchitis, emphysema and asthma, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment.
Cardiovascular Problems
Breathing diesel hydrocarbons results in cardiovascular problems and conditions, according to the European Respiratory Journal. These include weakening of your heart and an increased risk of a heart attack. Additionally, breathing this type of hydrocarbon decreases lung functioning, which lowers the supply of oxygen in your lungs.
Death
Prolonged exposure to diesel hydrocarbons can result in your death. The two most common causes of death traced back to breathing diesel hydrocarbons are heart attacks and an aggravation of a pre-existing emphysema condition.
