There’s Even More You Should Know About Diesel
Sick of the stinky smoke that spews out of diesel buses and trucks? The toxic air contaminant isn’t just a smelly nuisance, it’s a serious public health risk that contributes to lung cancer, asthma attacks and bronchitis.
May is the American Lung Association’s Clean Air Month and the organization is launching a major public information campaign in California to raise public awareness about the health dangers of diesel exhaust and other air pollutants, as well as realistic solutions for improving air quality.
The campaign is centered around the theme, "There’s Even More You Should Know About Diesel," and includes English and Spanish print ads donated by Ground Zero ad agency. The ads provide health facts about diesel and include the theme.
There is definitely a lot more Californians should know about diesel. Since 1990, diesel exhaust has been listed as a known carcinogen under California's Proposition 65, and in 1998, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) formally listed diesel particulate as a toxic air contaminant. The extensive scientific literature demonstrates that exposure to diesel exhaust increases the risk of developing lung cancer and can exacerbate lung diseases such as asthma and emphysema.
Diesel is Toxic to Your Health
Forty chemicals in diesel exhaust are on California's list of toxic air contaminants. California residents face high diesel-related health risks based on the heavy concentration of diesel truck traffic in urbanized areas and recent reports that diesel cancer risks far outweigh the cancer risks from other toxic air contaminants. In fact, diesel particulates account for approximately 70 percent of the cancer risk from toxic air contaminants statewide, according to CARB.
Diesel exhaust is also a major source of other pollutants including nitrogen oxide emissions and ozone air pollution, which also contribute to lung disease. More than 4 million Californians have lung disease, which is a leading cause of death in America and is growing faster than almost any other leading killer.
The American Lung Association has been working hard in California to reduce emissions from diesel-powered buses and trucks and advocate for the steady transition from diesel to cleaner non-diesel alternative technologies such as natural gas, fuel cells and electricity.
Local American Lung Associations around the state have been working with their local transit agencies and school districts to encourage them to purchase natural gas buses instead of diesel.
May is Clean Air Month
During its Clean Air Month in May, the American Lung Association reminds individuals, companies and organizations that we can all make a difference in the fight against air pollution. For example, Californians can ask their local leaders to pursue alternatives to diesel-powered buses.
Reducing diesel exhaust is just one way to fight air pollution. Californians can also reduce air pollution by driving less and making their next vehicle a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) such as an electric car. Businesses, schools and other organizations can fight air pollution by encouraging carpooling and bicycling, offering incentives for using low-pollution forms of transportation, encouraging employees to telecommute whenever possible and purchasing company vehicles and buses powered by zero-emission and low-emission fuels such as electricity, fuel cells, and natural gas.
Californians can also commute to school, work or play using the original zero-emission vehicle, the bicycle. The American Lung Association of California is a cosponsor of the California Bike Commute, a weeklong bike-to-work event held every May. This year commuters are encouraged to try this healthy alternative during the California Bike Commute, May 14-18.
For a copy of the American Lung Association of California’s Reducing Public Exposure to Diesel Emissions from Heavy Duty Vehicles Position Statement, visit our web site at www.californialung.org/advocacy/diesel_position.html.
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