DIESEL EXHAUST

Diesel exhaust contains more than 40 chemicals that are listed as hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act.  These include chemicals that are known to cause cancer, respiratory illnesses and birth defects.  The soot and gases emitted by diesel buses are associated with acute eye, throat and bronchial irritation, exacerbation of allergic responses and can potentially interfere with proper lung growth and development in children.  Recent studies link exposure to diesel exhaust to an increase in the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.  These studies also link airborne fine particulates, such as those in diesel exhaust, to increased hospital admissions for respiratory diseases, chronic obstructive lung disease, pneumonia, heart disease and up to 60,000 premature deaths annually in the US.

According to the American Lung Association, “The health risk from diesel exposure is greatest for children, the elderly, people who have respiratory problems or who smoke, people who regularly strenuously exercise in diesel-polluted areas, and people who work or live near diesel exhaust sources. Studies have shown that the proximity of a child's residence to major roads is linked to hospital admissions for asthma, and there is a positive relationship between school proximity to freeways and asthma occurrence. Truck and traffic intensity and exhaust measured in schools were significantly associated with chronic respiratory symptoms.”

Children are more vulnerable to the health effects of exposure to diesel exhaust than adults.  Their lungs are still developing and they breathe faster than adults, taking in 50% more air per pound of body weight than adults. School children are exposed to diesel exhaust while waiting to board idling school buses and while traveling on school buses.  They are also exposed while inside schools from exhaust that has entered through outdoor air intakes, doors and windows   School bus drivers are constantly exposed to the risks of inhaling diesel exhaust.  Teachers and school administrators who are assigned to bus duty are also at risk.  Adults with heart disease and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of diesel exhaust exposure.

Schools can minimize the exposure of students and staff to diesel exhaust fumes by:

-         Eliminating unnecessary school bus idling

-         Installing effective emission control systems on newer buses

-         Fueling buses with cleaner fuels

-         Replacing old buses with newer, less polluting ones

-         Locating areas where cars and buses idle as far away as possible from outdoor air intakes, classroom windows and doors.

Summary Of CT LAW Dealing With School Bus Emissions

(CT General Statutes Section Nos. 14-164 n and o, 14-277, 22a-21k and 22a-21j)

Prohibits school bus drivers from idling bus engines for more than three consecutive minutes when the bus is stopped except where:

-         the bus is stopped because of traffic conditions or mechanical problems over which the driver has no control;

-         it is necessary to operate heating, cooling, or auxiliary equipment needed for the proper operation of the bus, such as the operation of safety equipment;

-         the outside temperature is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit;

-         it is necessary to maintain a safe temperature for special needs students;

-         the bus is being repaired; or

-         the driver is picking up or discharging passengers on a public highway or public road.

Establishes fines for noncompliance: A first violation is an infraction, for which the total amount due is $ 102, if paid by mail. Subsequent offenses are punishable by fines of between $ 100 and $ 500. Fines are enforceable by local police.

Requires certain full-sized buses to be retrofitted with emissions-reducing equipment by September 1, 2010.

Requires, as an alternative, that a bus must meet US EPA 2007 emissions standards or use compressed natural gas or another alternative fuel certified by either the EPA or the California Air Resources Board in order to reduce soot emissions by at least 85% compared to ultra low sulfur diesel fuel.

Establishes CT Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) grants to cover the retrofitting costs

Requires CT DEP to develop an outreach plan to educate municipalities, school boards and bus companies about the law and help them with the retrofits.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Question: How has your school dealt with vehicle exhaust problems?

Answer:  We have posted NO IDLING signs in all parking areas and at all student drop-off points near the building.  We also distributed the Important Notice To All School Bus Drivers flyer found on the CSIERT CD distributed at Tools for Schools trainings.

RELATED LINKS

ALA website section on Alternative Fuels:

http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=36084

ALA website section on Diesel Exhaust and Air Pollution

http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=36089

Child Safe Schools Resources on Green Cleaning, Diesel Exhaust and Turf Pesticides:

www.grassrootsinfo.org/cssresources.html

EPA TfS IAQ Reference Guide Appendix D – Asthma:

www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/tfs/guided.html

EPA TfS IAQ Reference Guide Appendix I – Emissions from motor vehicles and equipment:

www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/tfs/guidei.html

Environment and Human Health, Inc. website section on Asthma:

www.ehhi.org/asthma

Environment and Human Health, Inc. website section on Vehicle Exhaust:

www.ehhi.org/diesel

EPA Clean School Bus USA Program:

www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus/

CT Bus Idling Agreement:

January 5, 2002
Connecticut School Transportation Association (COSTA), working in partnership with
the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, has developed an anti-idling
policy. For the health of our children, and for compliance with the law, COSTA strongly
urges its members to immediately implement this policy.
1) Drivers will shut off buses immediately on reaching their locations; buses will
not idle while waiting for passengers. This rule applies whether you are
providing home-to-school, activity, or charter transportation.
2) During morning start-up, buses will idle no longer than necessary to bring them
to the proper operating temperature and to defrost all windows.
Exceptions to the policy may be made when the air temperature is below 20 degrees, and
when it is necessary to run the engine in order to operate required safety equipment or to
maintain a safe environment for student passengers with special health needs.
􀂾 You have to run the engine in order to operate safety equipment;
􀂾 You need to maintain a safe temperature for students with special needs; or
􀂾 The outside temperature is below 20 degrees.
We urge all school bus carriers to adhere to this policy for the following
reasons:
􀂃 Emissions from diesel engines are significant sources of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and
fine particulate matter (PM). NOx emissions contribute to Connecticut’s groundlevel
ozone problem, while fine particulate matter can be inhaled deep into the lungs.
These pollutants can cause significant, adverse, and lifelong health-effects to
children.
􀂃 Emissions from idling school buses are emitted at ground level where children may
inhale them or the emissions may be drawn into a school’s ventilation system.
􀂃 The elimination of air pollutant emissions is all of our responsibility, and we all want
to contribute to this important endeavor.
Subsection 22a-174-18(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies limits the
idle time of all vehicles under normal circumstances to three consecutive minutes.
While we cannot control unnecessary idling by other motorists in and around school
parking lots, we can do our part to reduce emissions by instructing our drivers to turn off
their buses as soon as possible upon reaching their destination, and to not restart them
until ready to resume travel.
State of Connecticut
Department of Environmental Protection
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106
COSTA 

EPA School Bus Fact Sheet:

Children breathe 50 percent more air per pound of body weight than adults.

Diesel exhaust ranks among the air pollutants that EPA believes pose the greatest public health risks. More than 24 million children in the United States ride a bus to and from school every day.

Diesel exhaust from idling school buses can accumulate on and around the bus and pose a health risk,
particularly to children. When buses idle in the school yard, the exhaust also can pollute the air inside the
school building and pose a health risk to children throughout the day. Exposure to diesel exhaust can
cause lung damage and respiratory problems. Diesel exhaust also exacerbates asthma and existing
allergies, and long-term exposure is thought to increase the risk of lung cancer. However, there are
some simple steps that schools can take to reduce idling time and air pollution.

How Are Children Affected?
Air pollution from diesel vehicles has health implications for everyone, but children may be more susceptible to this
pollution because they breathe 50 percent more air per pound of body weight than do adults. Diesel exhaust contains
small particles, known as fine particulate matter, as well as smog-forming and toxic air pollutants. Exposure to these
pollutants is associated with increased frequency of childhood illnesses. More than 24 million children in the United States
ride a bus to and from school every day.

Recommended Actions to
Reduce Diesel Pollution
Although every school district is unique, there are a number of steps that schools can take to reduce the health risks
associated with exposure to diesel exhaust. Here are some actions school districts should consider:
Establish Idling Guidelines
• When school bus drivers arrive at loading or unloading areas to drop off or pick up passengers, they should turn
off their buses as soon as possible to eliminate idling time and reduce harmful emissions. The school bus should not
be restarted until it is ready to depart.

• If buses need the engine to run the flashing lights, consider changing the circuit configurations so that the flashing
lights can be powered by the battery without the engine running.

• At school bus depots, limit the idling time during early morning warm-up to what is
recommended by the manufacturer (generally 3 to 5 minutes). In colder climates, block
heaters can help warm the engine of older vehicles to avoid starting difficulties and
shorten warm-up time. New vehicles are designed to start easily at all temperatures
without idling.

• In the winter, provide a space inside the school where bus drivers who arrive early can
wait.

• Follow the anti-idling laws and guidelines that many states have in place.


Work Closely with Bus Companies and Bus Drivers to
Implement the Guidelines
• Make sure both the bus company and the bus drivers understand the importance of the
new guidelines.
• Highlight the economic benefit of reduced fuel consumption as a result of less idling. A
typical school bus burns approximately one-half gallon of diesel fuel for each hour it
idles. Thus, if a company operates 50 buses and each bus reduces its idling time by 30
minutes per day, at $1per gallon of diesel fuel, the company would save $2,250 per
school year in fuel costs.

• Inform drivers of the potential risk to their health from breathing diesel exhaust
and the benefits of not idling.

• Establish a program to recognize drivers for their efforts to reduce idling. For example,
create buttons that drivers who pledge to follow the guidelines can wear.


Work Closely with Bus Companies to Retrofit Buses
With Pollution Controls
• Fuel buses with ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel and install particulate matter filters. This
approach can reduce emissions of particulate matter by more than 90 percent.

• Consider retrofitting with catalyst technology if the filter/fuel option is not feasible.
• More information about retrofit options is available at www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit.


Work Closely with Bus Companies to Purchase the
Cleanest New Buses
• EPA is working to reduce diesel pollution from new heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses
by setting more stringent emission standards that will take effect beginning in 2004. In
2007, new trucks and buses rolling off the assembly lines will be 95 percent cleaner than
today’s models.

• Because some buses may meet EPA standards ahead of schedule, ask the manufacturer
before purchasing a new bus to see if you can acquire one that meets these standards. In
addition, many new buses come equipped with devices that minimize idling and warm-up
time.


Become A Clean School Bus USA Partner
• Clean School Bus USA is a voluntary program that seeks to reduce children’s exposure to
diesel exhaust. More information is available at www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus.
STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO REDUCE DIESEL POLLUTION

1 Direct school bus drivers to turn off their buses as soon as they arrive in the school yard.

2 Limit idling time of buses during early morning warm-up.

3 Provide a space inside the school where bus drivers can wait.

Idling wastes fuel and money. A typical school bus burns approximately one-half gallon of diesel fuel for each hour it idles.

The less school buses idle, the more money school districts can save.

Fact sheet on Clean Fuel Options:

 September 14, 2004


Summary of Clean Fuel / Clean Technology Options for
School Buses

In addition to reducing unnecessary idling, there are variety of ways, through the use of
innovative technology, to reduce pollution from school buses. The following chart summaries
the costs and benefits of a some of these techniques.

Fact sheet on Clean Diesel Fuel:

Introduction of Cleaner-Burning
Diesel Fuel Enables Advanced
Pollution Control for
Cars, Trucks and Buses


The low sulfur diesel fuel portion of EPA’s Heavy-Duty Highway Diesel
rule (the “2007 Highway Rule”), which was finalized in January 2001,
is now taking effect. Refiners will start producing the cleaner-burning
diesel fuel, called Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), for use in highway
vehicles beginning in June 2006. EPA estimates that this new diesel fuel
will cost an additional 4 and 5 cents per gallon to produce and distribute.
ULSD enables advanced pollution control technology for heavy-duty
trucks and buses so that engine and vehicle manufacturers can meet
the 2007 emission standards. As a result, each new truck and bus will
be more than 90 percent cleaner than current models. The introduction
of ULSD will also enable light-duty passenger vehicle manufacturers
to make use of similar technologies on diesel-powered cars, SUVs and
light-trucks.


Overview
EPA’s Clean Air Highway Diesel final rule requires a 97 percent reduc-
tion in the sulfur content of highway diesel fuel, from its current level of
500 parts per million (ppm), to 15 ppm. ULSD will be available at retail
stations beginning this summer. Cars, trucks and buses with advanced
pollution control will be available beginning in the autumn of 2006.

By addressing diesel fuel and engines together as a single system, this
program will provide annual emission reductions equivalent to removing
the pollution from more than 90 percent of today’s trucks and buses, or
about 13 million trucks and buses, when the current heavy-duty vehicle
fleet has been completely replaced in 2030. This is the greatest reduction
in harmful emissions of soot, or particulate matter (PM), ever achieved
from cars and trucks.


Public Health Benefits
Once this action is fully implemented, environmental benefi ts include:
• 2.6 million tons of smog-causing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emis-
sions will be reduced each year.
• PM will be reduced by 110,000 tons per year.

In the long term, this program will result in more than $70 billion annu-
ally in environmental and public health benefits at a cost of $4 billion
per year.

Health benefits will include the annual prevention of:
• 8,300 premature deaths
• 5,500 cases of chronic bronchitis
• 17,600 cases of acute bronchitis in children
• 360,000 cases of respiratory symptoms in asthmatic children
• 1.5 million lost work days
• 7,100 hospital visits
• 2,400 emergency room visits for asthma

Smog causes a range of health problems related to breathing, including
chest pain, coughing, and shortness of breath. Soot is deposited deep in
the lungs and causes premature death, increased emergency room visits,
and increased respiratory symptoms and disease. With both smog and
soot, children and the elderly are most at risk. Smog and soot also ad-
versely affect the environment in various ways, including crop damage,
acid rain, and visibility impairment.


Lead Time
EPA provided significant lead time for refiners and other parties through-
out the fuel production and distribution industry to ensure a smooth tran-
sition to ULSD. Although the fuel provisions go into effect in June 2006,
they will be phased in through 2009. EPA also provided special hardship
provisions for small refiners to minimize their economic costs.

Stakeholder Outreach
Since the standards were finalized in 2001, EPA has worked with the reg-
ulated community and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition.
We co-sponsored and participated in numerous workshops and technol-
ogy review panels, and issued progress reports, and guidance documents.
Where necessary, we have also issued several technical amendments to
the regulations to ensure a smooth introduction of the program.

In late 2005, EPA began participating with the Clean Diesel Fuel Alli-
ance, a group of more than 20 industry, government, and consumer orga-
nizations that are working together to provide information on the benefits
of ULSD and cleaner-burning diesel cars, trucks and buses.


For More Information
For more information on this program, please visit the following Web
sites:

• 2007 Heavy-Duty Highway Rule:

www.epa.gov/otaq/highway-diesel/ regs/2007-heavy-duty-highway.htm 
• EPA’s National Clean Diesel Campaign: www.epa.gov/cleandiesel
• Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance: www.clean-diesel.org