APRIL 2DD3
                                         AIR  POLLUTION
                                                              AND  K. I D5
    WHAT  You  SHOULD  KNOW  ABOUT
                              DIESEL   EXHAUST
                                                     AND
SCHOOL   Bus    IDLING
   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.
r/EPA
    United States
    Environmental Protection
    Agency

          For more information:
 Visit www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit
                      ~or~
   www.epa.gov/ne/eco/diesel
          or call 734-214-4636
        l 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 exacer-
 bates asthma and existing allergies, and long-term ex-
 posure 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 pollu-
 tion because they breathe 50 percent more air per pound of
 body weight than do adults. Diesel exhaust contains significant
 levels of small particles, known as fine particulate matter. Expo-
 sure to particulate matter,  especially fine particles, 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.
                                                                         continued Z>

             I printed on 100% recycled paper, with a minimum of 50% post consumer waste, using vegetable based inks
   TEPS  YOU
CAN TAKE TD
REDUCE
DIESEL
POLLUTION
O   Direct school bus
     drivers to turn off
     their buses as soon
     as they arrive in the
     school yard.
©   Limit idling time of
     buses during early
     morning warm-up.

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

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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  $lper 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.
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.

  •  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
     that minimize idling and warm-up time.
  ling wastes fuel and
money.

Atypical diesel vehicle
burns approximately one
gallon of diesel fuel for
each  hour it idles.

The less school buses
idle, the more money
school districts can save.
P/EPA
     United States
     Environmental Protection
     Agency
                                             EPA420-F-03-005 April 2003
                                         Visit our Web site at www.epa.gov
                                     ) printed on 100% recycled paper, with a minimum of
                                      50% post consumer waste, using vegetable based inks

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