They Run and Play harder and
breathe a lot more air. They are being
transported to and from schools in
vehicles that make them the most
vulnerable--DIESEL BUSES. Research
shows that despite an impressive list of
air pollution rules, California has more of
the oldest and worst polluting school
buses in the nation. The California Air
Resources Board (CARB) has
proposals for a new LOWER EMISSION
SCHOOL BUS program aimed at
reducing children's exposure to diesel
particulate matter (PM), which is
classified as a cancer causing toxin in
California. Part of the program is to
retrofit 3,000 older diesel school buses
with a particulate filter. Those filters will
have to meet a CARB standard to
reduce PM emissions 85%.

There is no logical reason that every
school bus in the nation could not
run on alternative fuel. The
technology is here. It is just a
matter of priorities.

RELATED TOPICS

WHY ARE CHILDREN AT SUCH AN
ENORMOUS RISK ?

Children have a higher respiratory rate than adults
and breathe a proportionately greater volume of air.
Therefore, children inhale more pollutants per pound
of body weight. Medical studies say these
pollutants especially diesel particulate emissions
cause a variety of illnesses including cancer,
respiratory disorders, as well as heart and lung
disease. The American Academy of Pediatrics
says that children have a very small margin of
safety. Some researchers say the United States
has failed to protect its most precious and
vulnerable citizens----its children.

WHO IS BREATHING A TIME BOMB?

In the diesel arena, there is growing concern that
school bus drivers are slowly being poisoned by
unhealthy emissions. The same concern is being
expressed for long haul truck drivers. And
what about your friendly firefighters? They are
protected from toxic fumes and flames while
fighting fires with protective gear. But back at the
firehouse every time they start the diesel engines,
they inhale particulate emissions from the engine
fumes. Medical studies estimate that over 60,000
people in the United States die from heart and
lung disease every year due to particulate
pollution. That is more people than die each year
in car accidents.

If you feel that you or your children have
been exposed to diesel fumes, go to your
doctor, now. Only a physical check up can
give you an honest answer to exposure.

AskEarthman is a project of the non-profit Ask Earthman
Foundation.

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