Public News Service - Free MN Program Cleans Up School Bus Emissions

Public News Service story by Sharon Rolenc and Deb Courson

Listen to the story:

Download

Excerpt:

Diesel vehicles make up 10 percent of traffic on Minnesota roads, but account for more than 50 percent of all traffic-related air pollution. To the rescue is Project Green Fleet, a collaborative effort among businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations offering free retrofits for buses to reduce emissions. Diesel exhaust contains pollutants that increase the risk of heart and lung disease and can trigger upper respiratory problems, such as asthma.

Children are particularly vulnerable because they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults, and their bodies are still developing. This is why school bus retrofits are a priority, says Bill Droessler of the Minnesota Environmental Initiative.

“Pollution levels inside school buses can be concentrated and up to five times greater than in the surrounding ambient air.”

Click here to read or listen to the full story from Public News Service >>

Click here to learn more about Project Green Fleet and take action >>