Does Diesel Exhaust Cause Asthma? Make an Appointment Make a Donation Contact Us Identifying environmental hazards points the way to preventive measures. Air pollution has been associated with asthma, but biological mechanisms linking air pollution to asthma have been elusive. Assistant Professor of Medicine Magdalena Gorska, MD, PhD, has identified specific cell types and molecules that link prenatal exposure to diesel exhaust and predisposition to asthma. Dr. Gorska was recently awarded a $2 million grant to expand her research to understand the biological mechanisms that lead from a pregnant mother inhaling diesel exhaust to a child with asthma. With billions of people around the world living in environments polluted by diesel exhaust, her research could have significant implications for the treatment and prevention of asthma.