Diesel Exhaust and School Buses Studies:

Fuming Over School Bus Diesel -- the brochure

Encouraged by the NC Child Advocacy Institute, the LWVWC and others, The NC Department of Public Education has recently taken steps to institute guidelines for school buses to reduce children’s exposure to diesel exhaust. Currently, the School Children’s Health Act, HB 1502 addresses this issue.

Diesel exhaust from idling school buses can accumulate on and around the bus and pose a health risk, especially to children. How are children affected? Children breathe 50% more air per pound of body weight than do adults. Additionally, their young lungs are still developing and are especially vulnerable to pollution. Diesel exhaust contains significant levels of small particles, known as fine particulate matter.
Exposure to particulate matter, especially fine particles is associated with increased frequency of childhood illnesses, asthma, allergies, lung damage, and may increase the risk of lung cancer.

No Breathing in the Aisles, Diesel Exhaust Inside School Buses by Gina Solomon et al., 67 p, 2/2001
What Parents Need to Know About Diesel School Buses -- both by National Resources Defense Council
Children's Exposure to Diesel Exhaust on School Buses by John Wargo, Environment and Human Health, 12 p, 2/2002
Children’s School Bus Exposure Study w/ link to full 210 p report, Characterizing the Range of Children's Pollutant Exposure During School Bus Commutes, 10/2003
Motor Vehicle Air Pollution and Public Health: Asthma and Other Respiratory Effects, 8 p, 2/2003
School Bus Blues: Waiting to Exhale, 9/2003 -- both by Environmental Defense Fund
Pollution Report Card -- summary and link to 80 p report, 2/2002
Clean School Bus Initiative
Clean School Buses, Healthy Kids -- all by Union of Concerned Scientists

Questions? Email LWVWAKE@aol.com or call (919) 856-1983.
This site was last revised 8/31/2005.