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Introduction

Over 99% of our nation’s 600,000 school buses run on diesel fuel, placing millions of children at risk each day from the hazardous health effects of diesel emissions.(1) These emissions have been directly linked to such serious health problems as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, retarded lung development, and increased emergency room visits for respiratory illnesses. After long-term exposure, diesel exhaust can cause cancer.(2) In an era where there are cleaner and less toxic alternatives, states must act to protect our children from exposure to these dangerous pollutants on their trips to and from school.

Diesel legislation can be found in many states, and these states have taken a wide variety of approaches to addressing the problem, including educating citizens about the hazards of diesel exhaust, reducing heavy-duty diesel vehicle emissions, and establishing tax breaks for alternative fuel use. As more states address the issue, the spotlight shines more brightly on those states, which are unwilling to place the safety of our school children first.

Photo courtesy of Transport Canada

Our sample bill, based, in part, on Connecticut bills HB 5663 (2002) and SB 495 (2002) and, in part, on the California South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Rule #1195, represents one effective method of bringing about substantial reductions in children’s exposure to diesel emissions.

This web site offers the tools necessary for you to introduce and pass legislation to protect schoolchildren from the effects of dirty diesel in your state. These tools include a sample bill, talking points, press clips, a fact pack, links, and other background information.

We may have other useful materials on this subject, which are not posted on our web site. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or call our office in Madison, Wisconsin, at (608) 252-9800.

If you’ve used this site and found it helpful or, if you have suggestions about how it could be made more helpful, please let us know. Feel free to use the sample bill text included here in your state. If you do, please notify us.

Sources:
(1) Wargo, John. “Children’s Exposure to Diesel Exhaust on School Buses.” North Haven, Connecticut: Environment & Human Health, Inc., 7 February 2002. 29 April 2004 <http://www.ehhi.org/reports/diesel/>.
(2) “Diesel Exhaust and Air Pollution.” American Lung Association. April 2000. 30 April 2004 <http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=36089>.

This package was last updated on May 4, 2004.