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Well take my father for instance, he died of throat cancer that spread to his lungs at the age of 73. As he was exposed to diesel exhaust (like everyone else on the planet) he ends up on that list of premature deaths with a NOx contribution. Pay no mind that 73 is not that premature (although I'd take even 6 months more) or the fact that he smoked a pack a day since he was 18 even right up to the end. Think about that, the research on cigarettes is far more developed yet it took over 50 years. Diesel emissions are better than ever yet there are 100+ year olds that grew up living and working their whole lives with the old dirty diesels (and old dirty cars). Also it's NOx that is blamed in the studies, not NOx from diesels, and especially not NOx just from VW cars. I would bet things like busses and trucks which have lower standards and higher numbers with more miles driven have a greater impact. Then there are all the natural causes. Finally it is something that should be regulated in the tight confines of a city, but really has no effect outside of certain specific areas like the LA valley. Tailpipe NOx from pinpoint sources here and there across the fruited plains is like peeing in the ocean.
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