Improving Outdoor Air Quality Around Schools

Christine Slocum, MPH studentWalden UniversityPUBH 6165Instructor: Robert MarinoFall 2010

Learning OutcomesDefine components of outdoor air

pollution near schoolsExplain the impact of poor air

qualityCompare the current programs

availableExplain what else can be done to

improve the air quality around our schools

Components of Air PollutionCarbon MonoxideLeadNitrogen OxideOzoneParticulate Matter

Components of Air Pollution. Retrieved October 15, 2010, from http:/ / airqualityeffects.uckac/ old_kids_pages_Feb_3_2004/ components_of_air_pollution.htm

Sources of Air PollutionMotor vehicles

◦Responsible for half of allemissions released

◦Can be fueled by gasoline,diesel, or alternative fuels

(2010, January 29). Sources of Pollutants in the Ambient Air- Mobile Sources. Retrieved October 10, 2010, from http:/ / www.epa.gov/ apti/ course422/ ap3a.html

Why Should We Be Concerned?School buses drive more than 4

billion miles each year24 million American children ride

school buses dailyOn average these children spend

an hour and a half each day on the school bus

(2008, March 11). Clean School Bus USA. Retrieved October 10, 2010, from http:/ / www.epa.gov/ cleanschoolbus/ index.htm

Why Should We Be Concerned?Diesel exhaust

◦Can cause lung damage and respiratory problems

◦Exacerbate asthma and existing allergies

◦Especially harmful to children because they breathe 50% more air per pound of body weight

◦Long term exposure can increase the risk of lung cancer

(2008, March 11). Clean School Bus USA. Retrieved October 10, 2010, from http:/ / www.epa.gov/ cleanschoolbus/ index.htm

Health Effects of Poor Air QualityIrritation to eyes, nose, and throatLightheadednessHeartburnHeadacheWeakness, numbness and tingling of

extremitiesChest tightnessWheezingVomiting

Occupational Safety, & Health Bureau Montana Department of Labor & Industry. Diesel Exhaust Health Hazards. Retrieved October 15, 2010, from erd.dli.mt.gov/ safetyhealth/ brochures/ dieselexhaust.pdf

Existing ProgramsClean School Bus USA

The Clean Air Clean Air Schools Program

Clean School Bus USA3 Ways to reduce public school bus

emissions◦Anti-idling strategies◦Engine retrofit and clean fuels◦Bus replacement

◦ (2008, March 11). Clean School Bus USA. Retrieved October 10, 2010, from http:/ / www.epa.gov/ cleanscoolbus/ index.htm

Clean School Bus USAAnti-idling Strategies

Turn off engine as soon as possible after arriving at loading or unloading areas

Bus should not be restarted until it is ready to depart

Limit early morning warm up to less than 5 minutes

(2008, March 11). Clean School Bus USA. Retrieved October 10, 2010, from http:/ / www.epa.gov/ cleanscoolbus/ index.htm

Clean School Bus USARetrofit and Clean Fuel Strategies

Pollution Control Devices◦Diesel Oxidation Catalysts- uses

chemical process to break down exhaust pollutants into less harmful components

◦Diesel Particulate Matter Filters-ceramic devices that collect particulate matter

◦ (2007, November 21). Clean School Bus USA Retrofit. Retrieved October 24, 2010, from http:/ / www.epa.gov/ cleanschoolbus/ retrofit.htm#cleaner

Clean School Bus USARetrofit and Clean Fuel StrategiesCleaner Fuels

◦Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD)- improves performance of particulate matter filter

◦Biodiesel- reduces particulate matter, carbon monoxide

◦Emulsified Diesel- reduces particulate matter and smog-causing Nitrogen oxide (NOx)

◦ (2007, November 21). Clean School Bus USA Retrofit. Retrieved October 24, 2010, from http:/ / www.epa.gov/ cleanschoolbus/ retrofit.htm#cleaner

Clean School Bus USABus ReplacementOlder buses are not equipped

with today’s pollution control or safety features

There are over 75,000 pre 1990 buses still on the road that carry 3 million children to school

(2010, June 23). Clean School Bus USA Replacing Old School Buses. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from http:/ / www.epa.gov/ cleanschoolbus/ replacement.htm

The Clean Air Clean Schools Program

3 components of program◦No idling program◦Ride the bus! For clean air◦Pool to school

Make Your Child's School a Clean Air School. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from http:/ / www.cleanaircampaign.org/ Take_Action/ Make-Your-Child-s-School-a-Clean-Air-School

The Clean Air Clean Schools Program

No Idling Program ◦Encourages bus drivers and parent drivers to turn off engines when dropping off or waiting for students

◦ Make Your Child's School a Clean Air School. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from http:/ / www.cleanaircampaign.org/ Take_Action/ Make-Your-Child-s-School-a-Clean-Air-School

The Clean Air Clean Schools Program

Ride the bus! For clean airDesigned to get more student on

buses and out of cars that contribute to traffic around school ground

Make Your Child's School a Clean Air School. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from http:/ / www.cleanaircampaign.org/ Take_Action/ Make-Your-Child-s-School-a-Clean-Air-School

The Clean Air Clean Schools Program

Pool to schoolPromote car pooling to reduce

traffic and reduce pollution

Make Your Child's School a Clean Air School. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from http:/ / www.cleanaircampaign.org/ Take_Action/ Make-Your-Child-s-School-a-Clean-Air-School

What Can We Do In Our School District?

Utilize the EPA, state, and local agencies to monitor outdoor air around schools for toxic air pollutants

Establish partnerships with school officials, bus drivers, parents, and students to improve the air quality around our schools

What Can We Do In Our School District?

Establish idle reduction policies◦Minimize time children spend outside

when buses are arriving/departing◦ If possible shorten commute times◦Deploy cleanest buses on longest routes◦Limit idling of delivery vehicles on school

grounds◦Provide space inside school where drivers

can wait on cold daysDevelop educational programs for

students of all ages about air pollution

References (2007, November 21). Clean School Bus USA Retrofit. Retrieved

October 24, 2010, from http:/ / www.epa.gov/ cleanschoolbus/ retrofit.htm#cleaner

(2008, March 11). Clean School Bus USA. Retrieved October 10, 2010, from http:/ / www.epa.gov/ cleanschoolbus/ index.htm

(2010, January 29). Sources of Pollutants in the Ambient Air- Mobile Sources. Retrieved October 10, 2010, from http:/ / www.epa.gov/ apti/ course422/ ap3a.html

(2010, June 23). Clean School Bus USA Replacing Old School Buses. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from http:/ / www.epa.gov/ cleanschoolbus/ replacement.htm

Components of Air Pollution. Retrieved October 15, 2010, from http:/ / airqualityeffects.uckac/ old_kids_pages_Feb_3_2004/ components_of_air_pollution.htm

Make Your Child's School a Clean Air School. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from http:/ / www.cleanaircampaign.org/ Take_Action/ Make-Your-Child-s-School-a-Clean-Air-School

Occupational Safety, & Health Bureau Montana Department of Labor & Industry. Diesel Exhaust Health Hazards. Retrieved October 15, 2010, from erd.dli.mt.gov/ safetyhealth/ brochures/ dieselexhaust.pdf

Sources for Further Informationhttp://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolb

us/index.htmhttp://www.cleanaircampaign.org/

Take-Action/Make-Your-Child-s-School-a-Clean-Air-School

Questions