Enforce
the law against excessive school bus idling
The
Rhode Island Departments of Environmental Management (DEM), Health (RIDOH), and
Elementary and Secondary Education (RIDE) are enlisting the support of Rhode
Island school districts to protect school children and their bus drivers from
breathing excessive amounts of diesel exhaust emissions.
The
agencies, in a joint letter to all Rhode Island school superintendents, are
asking the school districts to enforce State air pollution control regulations
that limit school bus idling time and encouraging school transportation
providers to replace aging diesel buses with cleaner, environmentally-friendly
buses.
"By shutting off bus engines immediately upon reaching destinations, and not restarting them until ready to depart, school districts can bring important environmental and public health benefits to all Rhode Islanders," said DEM Director Janet Coit.
"Despite
marked improvements in air quality over the past two decades, pollution from
small particles in diesel exhaust continues to impact Rhode Island's
environment and contribute to climate change and smog. Now is the time for
school districts across the state to take simple, common-sense actions to
protect air quality and the health of school bus riders and drivers by reducing
exposure to harmful diesel emissions."
Diesel
exhaust from idling school buses can pose a health risk to both students and
the drivers.
As
school buses idle waiting for students, the diesel exhaust concentrates at
ground level and can enter both the passenger compartments of the buses and the
school classrooms through the building ventilation systems.
Diesel
exhaust is hazardous to human health, is carcinogenic and is particularly
harmful to children and seniors. Tiny particles in diesel exhaust can lodge
deep within human lungs, where they can trigger asthma attacks and stunt lung
growth in children.
Asthma
is reaching epidemic proportions in Rhode Island and is the most common chronic
disease in children, responsible for the most school absences in Rhode Island.
"Health
does not start in the doctor's office. Health starts in our homes, our schools,
and the other places in our communities where we live, learn, work, and
play," said Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH.
"We
know that regular exposure to high levels of diesel emissions can have serious
effects on respiratory health, especially for people with underlying
conditions, such as asthma. By replacing aging diesel buses and limiting idling
time, school districts throughout the state have an opportunity to create safer
learning and work environments for their students, drivers, and school
personnel. Changes such as these are critical to the health and well-being of
our communities now, and for generations to come."
"At
the same time that we look to make record investments within our school
facilities, we must also commit to protecting school environments as a whole.
Both inside and outside of our school buildings, we want our students to be
healthy and safe, and to feel like valued, supported members of their school
community," said Ken Wagner, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary
Education.
"This
small shift can make a big difference in air quality, and on the health of our
students, educators, staff, and families." School bus idling also wastes
money. On average, an idling vehicle burns one gallon of fuel per hour. Idling
can also increase wear and tear on the engine, resulting in greater maintenance
costs and reducing the life of the engine.
DEM'S
Air Pollution Control Regulation No. 45, Rhode Island Diesel Engine Anti-Idling
Program, prohibits the unnecessary idling of diesel powered vehicles and
equipment.
Under this regulation, idling of diesel powered vehicles is limited to five consecutive minutes in any 60- minute period, except as provided in certain exempt situations, such as when it is necessary to operate defrosting, heating, or cooling equipment to ensure the health or safety of the driver or passengers.
Under this regulation, idling of diesel powered vehicles is limited to five consecutive minutes in any 60- minute period, except as provided in certain exempt situations, such as when it is necessary to operate defrosting, heating, or cooling equipment to ensure the health or safety of the driver or passengers.
A
school bus may idle for up to 15 minutes per hour when temperatures are between
0 degrees and 32 degrees, and as needed when temperatures are below 0 degrees,
to provide heat. A passenger bus may idle a maximum of 15 minutes per hour to
maintain passenger comfort while non-driver passengers are onboard whenever
temperatures are below 50 degrees.
DEM
encourages school transportation providers to replace aging diesel buses with
newer, cleaner vehicles. Federal funding is available to public and private
fleet owners for replacement of old diesel school buses through the School Bus
Rebate Program. More information on this program is available at https://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/clean-diesel-rebates.
For
more information on the state's anti-idling efforts and rebate programs,
contact Allison Archambault in DEM's Office of Air Resources at 222-2808,
x-2035 or at Allison.archambault@dem.ri.gov.
For
more information on DEM programs and services, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM
on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) or Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM for
timely updates.
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