Diesel - Clean School Buses

When it comes to diesel engines, it is the fleet transporting special cargo – young children - that is generating a lot of concern – our yellow school buses. U.S. EPA has estimated that children spend an average of 1 ½ hours on a bus each day.

Children are extremely susceptible to potential health threats from exposure to diesel emissions because their respiratory systems are still developing. They breathe 50% more air per pound of body weight than an adult.

A study examining children’s exposure to diesel exhaust on school buses in California determined increased exposures from commuting by school bus (assuming commutes by bus for 13 years) were estimated to increase a child’s lifetime cancer risk due to diesel particulate matter by approximately 4% or an increase of 30 per million lifetime risk. An increased risk of lower respiratory symptoms (~6%) and daily hospitalizations for asthma (~1%) were also estimated.

(California Air Resource Board, Children’s School Bus Exposure Study, October 2003.)

OEC and MORPC team up to clear the air

OEC has teamed up with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission to educate municipal and private diesel fleet operators about the 6 R’s of diesel clean up: Repower, Replace older vehicles, Refuel with cleaner fuels, Reduce idling, Rebuild/Repair, and Retrofit existing vehicles with pollution controls.

The two organizations take one step further and help the fleet apply for grants to retrofit their fleet. If you are a fleet operator and would like more information, please contact David R. Celebrezze, OEC Director of Air & Water Special Projects.

Franklin County Diesel School Bus Working Group

With the support of the James W. Overstreet, and Clifford and Mary Ozias Forestry and Conservation Fund of The Columbus Foundation and The Master Family Fund, the Ohio Environmental Council has worked to bring area school districts into a forum to address the impacts of diesel exhaust on students and the community.

The Franklin County Diesel School Bus Working Group is comprised of eight central Ohio school districts (Bexley, Canal Winchester, Columbus, Franklin County MR/DD, Gahanna-Jefferson, New Albany-Plains, Westerville and Worthington) developing clean diesel plans to address the impacts of diesel exhaust on students and the community.

The OEC is teaming with the fleet managers to find effective and affordable solutions, focusing on the 4-R’s of diesel clean up: Retrofit existing vehicles with pollution controls, Refuel with cleaner fuels, Replace older vehicles and Reduce idling.

The ultimate goal is to help school districts improve their bus fleet, making them not only the safest mode of transportation but the healthiest. Learn More.

Stark County Diesel School Bus Working Group

With the support from the Herbert W. Hoover Foundation and the Stark Community Foundation, the OEC is working with 17 districts and the Stark County Educational Service Center, in Stark County to address the negative impacts of diesel emissions on students, drivers, and the community.

Congratulations to Minerva Local Schools and Alliance City Schools! OEC aided these two districts in applying for, and receiving, an Ohio EPA Clean Diesel School Bus Retrofit Grant. The total amount awarded is $92,401. This money will go towards the purchase of 12 diesel particulate filters which reduce diesel emission pollution by as much as 90% as well as closed crankcase ventilation systems.

OEC also helped Canton Local Schools apply, and receive, a US EPA Region 5 grant for $154,848 to retrofit their diesel fleet with diesel particulate filters, diesel oxidation catalysts, and closed crankcase ventilation systems.

Grant Programs to Clean Up Diesel School Buses

There are federal and state grant programs to assist school districts in retrofitting and replacing buses in their fleet. Please click on the following link to find out more about these programs.

Take Action to Clean Up Dirty Diesel Engines