Association Works to Reduce Diesel Exhaust

from "Public Policy Update", Breathe Easy news magazine, Spring/Summer 2002

The American Lung Association of California is working to reduce diesel exhaust, which is a toxic air contaminant that contributes to asthma, lung cancer and other lung diseases. The association continues to monitor the implementation of the California Air Resources Board's "transit bus rule," which requires transit agencies to clean up existing buses and buy cleaner new buses. They must choose between an alternative fuel or lower emission diesel fuel pathway to achieve emissions reductions.

American Lung Associations across the state encouraged transit agencies to choose cleaner alternative fuels such as natural gas and 27 transit agencies with close to 5,000 buses chose that path.

Unfortunately, pollution-reduction efforts for diesel engines have become substantially more complicated. Recent studies show that key smog reduction technology (particulate traps)are only readily available for newer (1994-2001)model year engines and that this technology has the side effect of increasing ozone air pollution.

The American Lung Association of California will continue to research and monitor developments in diesel pollution control technology and advocate for strengthening the transit bus regulations to ensure that anticipated emissions reductions are achieved. It will also advocate for additional statewide policies to control diesel emissions from municipal waste trucks and other sources.