Dozens of plaintiffs waging an air-pollution lawsuit will appeal a recent ruling that denies them compensation over health problems they claim were triggered by vehicle exhaust fumes, a lawyer and one of the plaintiffs said Monday.

The plaintiffs also voiced dissatisfaction that the Tokyo District Court ruling holds the national government, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Metropolitan Expressway Public Corp. accountable for part of the air pollution -- and clears seven automakers named in the suit of any responsibility.

During appeal proceedings, all 99 plaintiffs will demand damages from the national government, the highway body, and the seven automakers, they said.