AgdaPkt 2007-08-13 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

When Students Return to School, Turn Off the Key, Be Idle Free 7A Page 1 of2 Page 80 'Robert L. Ehrlich Michael S. SlpI" Gov...... U. Governo, Kendl P. PllIlbrlck Secf~ Volume II, Number 5 September, 2006 'When~Students'.Return~t;;"'School, i~n Oift:he Key;"S;'Idle "Fre'e' ~- By Bob Maddox, Air and Radiation Management Administration ,.~""- - ...~~ emUe Olck on photo to view, larger Image .' What seemed like the long hot summer will seem all too brief when Maryland students return to school. Students and parents will resume CQmmuting routines that will indude riding on sdlool and transit buses and In carpools. The hUSt:le and bustle surrounding the new school year brings increased traffic congestion, especially near schools where students get dropped off and picked up and Increases the .potential for children's exposure to tallptpe exhaust from buses and cars. Toem.H~p Idle Threats Diesel exhaust from idling school and transit buses can accumulate in and around the bus posing a health risk to chlldren and the bus drivers. Diesel exhaust contains significant levels of small particles, known as fine particulate matter (PM fine) -small enough to be inhaled deeply into the lungs. PM fine air pollution Is a public health concern as It .can cause health problems and aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. When buses Idle In or near the schoolyard, diesel exhaust can even enter the schoof bUilding, especially during warmer weather when doors and windows are open. The U.S. Emtlronmental protection Agency estimates that a typical bus can bum about one gallon of fuel per hour of Idling, causing significant amounts ofpollutlon and fuel waste. Noxious Exhaust Another potential health risk around the schoolyard Is Idling cars. Many drIVers and parents keep their engines running when taking children Into a school building and as they walt In their cars for children to leave school and get rides.. The tailpipe exhaust from Idling cars contains harmful air pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOX) and carbon monoxide. These pollut<ilnts directly affe(:t human health by causing acute bronchitiS or pneumonia;.. and a lowered resistance to' respiratory infections. long-term exposure may ~ause chronic lung Impairment and, because NOx Is a precursor for ozone, it Indir~Y affects human health as well. Carbon monoxide (CO) Isa by-prodtJct of fuel combustion. When many cars are idling dose together, CO can become concentrated. CO reduces the flow of oxygen in the bloodstream and Is particularly dangerous to persons wlthheatt disease. Harmful to Kids In general, children are more sensitive to air pollution because they breattleSO percent more air per pound of body' weight than adults. With this in mind, it is Important to control and reduce emissions fromvehldes. The solutions to redudng harmful emissions range from very simple voluntary actions, to costlier vehlde and fuel modifications and new technologies. stop Your Engines The simplest way to .reduce tailpipe emissions from 1dllng vehicles is to turn 01'1' the engines. Idling not only produces unnecessary emissions,lt wastes fuel. The reasons vary for why people allow buses and cars to Idle. The most common reasons seem to be comfort and convenience. People want their vehldes to stay cool or heated while the car Is stopped. Or they want listen to music or radio programs while waiting In their cars. Bus drivers may be In the habit oflea\itng engines Idle during long wa.1ts to stay warm or to .actlvate flashers. However, these reasons for Idling should not take prlOrlty overprotecting human health. http://www.mde.state.md.uslResearchCenterlPublicanonslOeneralleMDFlvoI2 _no5/idlefree... 6/612007