New York City Bus Workers File Lawsuit against Diesel Makers

A group of New York City bus workers claim in a lawsuit that diesel exhaust from idling buses exposed them to severe illnesses, including lung and throat cancer.

The lawsuit, filed in state court on Monday, names 13 diesel engine manufacturers, including General Motors, Northrop Grumman and Orion Bus Industries.

The workers, bus drivers and mechanics employed by NYC Transit, claim buses sometimes idled all night in depots. The lawsuit says the companies knew “the belching of these fumes was a dangerous byproduct.”

The workers are seeking unspecified damages.

Several companies reached for comment declined to comment, saying they had not seen the lawsuit or would not speak on pending litigation.