Original PDF Flash format diesel-fs-update  


Diesel Fs Update

Air
APRIL 2003
Pollution
and Kids
What You Should Know about
Diesel Exhaust and
School Bus Idling
,iesel exhaust from idling school buses can accumulate
on and around the bus and pose a health risk, particularly
Children breathe 50 percent
to children. When buses idle in the school yard, the
more air per pound of body
exhaust also can pollute the air inside the school
building and pose a health risk to children throughout
weight than adults.
the day. Exposure to diesel exhaust can cause lung damage
and respiratory problems. Diesel exhaust also exacer-
Diesel exhaust ranks among
bates asthma and existing allergies, and long-term ex-
posure is thought to increase the risk of lung cancer.
the air pollutants that EPA
However, there are some simple steps that schools can take
believes pose the greatest
to reduce idling time and air pollution.
public health risks.
How Are Children Affected?
Air pollution from diesel vehicles has health implications for
More than 24 million
5TEPS YOU
everyone, but children may be more susceptible to this pollu-
CAN TAKE TO
children in the United States
tion because they breathe 50 percent more air per pound of
REDUCE
body weight than do adults. Diesel exhaust contains significant
ride a bus to and from
levels of small particles, known as fine particulate matter. Expo-
DIESEL
school every day.
sure to particulate matter, especially fine particles, is
POLLUTION
associated with increased frequency of childhood illnesses. More
than 24 million children in the United States ride a bus to and
 Direct school bus
from school every day.
drivers to turn off
Recommended Actions to
their buses as soon
Reduce Diesel Pollution
as they arrive in the
Although every school district is unique, there are a number of
school yard.
steps that schools can take to reduce the health risks associated
with exposure to diesel exhaust. Here are some actions school
United States
districts should consider:
Environmental Protection
Limit idling time of
Agency
buses during early
Establish Idling Guidelines
• When school bus drivers arrive at loading or unloading
morning warm-up.
For more information:
areas to drop off or pick up passengers, they should turn
Visit www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit
off their buses as soon as possible to eliminate idling time
~or~
and reduce harmful emissions. The school bus should not be
! Provide a space inside
restarted until it is ready to depart.
the school where bus
www.epa.gov/ne/eco/diesel
drivers can wait.
or call 734-214-4636
• 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.
continued #
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• 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 example, create buttons that drivers
who pledge to follow the guidelines can wear.
Idling wastes fuel and
money.
Work Closely with Bus Companies to Retrofit
Buses With Pollution Controls
A typical diesel vehicle
• Fuel buses with ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel and install particulate matter filters.
burns approximately one
This approach can reduce emissions of particulate matter by more than 90 percent.
gallon of diesel fuel for
• Consider retrofitting with catalyst technology if the filter/fuel option is not feasible.
each hour it idles.
• More information about retrofit options is available at www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit.
The less school buses
idle, the more money
Work Closely with Bus Companies to Purchase the
Cleanest New Buses
school districts can save.
• 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.
• Consider retrofitting with catalyst technology if the filter/fuel option is not feasible.
• 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
United States
that minimize idling and warm-up time.
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA420-F-03-005 April 2003
Visit our Web site at www.epa.gov
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50% post consumer waste, using vegetable based inks