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May 15, 2002
Contacts:
Andrew Weisser, (818) 703-6444
aweisser@earthlink.net
or your local American Lung Association
at (800) LUNG-USA. www.californialung.org
Editors Note: The American Lung Association
of California is relying on donated ad space for this related
Spanish and English print ad campaign regarding diesel health
impact. Download high-quality
PDF versions of the Spanish and English print ads here.
Five Local Governments Commit to Purchase Cleaner
Vehicles
American Lung Association of California Pushes
for More
-- Statewide Campaign Raises Awareness about
Diesel Exhaust, Particulate Matter and Cleaner Alternatives during
Clean Air Month
(May 15, 2002 -- Oakland, CA) The American Lung Association
wants Californians to know that air pollution can make them sick
and vehicles, including diesel trucks and buses, are the major
culprit. The solutions are simple, including clean fleet ordinances
and resolutions from local governments.
Cleaner alternatives are available and the American Lung Association
of California believes that cities and counties should be key
partners in the fight against air pollution, especially because
of the money available and spent on local government vehicle fleets
each year. When cities and counties make public commitments to
purchase cleaner vehicles, as five have done already, they provide
cleaner air for their communities and push the market for cleaner
vehicles. The five local governments that have cleaner fleet ordinances
or resolutions in California are: County of Contra Costa, City
of Fresno, City of Los Gatos, City/County of San Francisco, and
City of Tulare.
May is the American Lung Association’s Clean Air Month
and the organization continues its 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 to these problems. It continues its work to encourage
cities and counties to adopt cleaner vehicle ordinances, and to
encourage everyone to advocate for more zero-emission and ultra-low-emission
vehicles in California.
"A major problem is the proliferation of sport utility vehicles,"
said John Balmes, MD, president of the California Thoracic Society,
the American Lung Association of California’s medical section.
"It’s ridiculous to be driving a truck to the grocery
store. We need to switch over to zero-emission and ultra-low-emission
vehicles to reduce emissions."
The American Lung Association of California is offering print
ads that provide health facts about diesel and tell Californians
"There’s Even More You Should Know About Diesel."
(For free copies, visit: http://californialung.org/spotlight/cleanair01_ads.html).
Diesel exhaust has been linked to lung cancer. It has been listed
as a known human carcinogen since 1990 and in 1998, the California
Air Resources Board (CARB) formally listed diesel particulate
as a Toxic Air Contaminant. In fact, diesel particulates are the
most significant source of air toxics in California and account
for 70 percent of the cancer risk from toxic air contaminants
statewide, according to CARB. Diesel exhaust can also exacerbate
lung diseases such as asthma and emphysema.
Diesel exhaust is a major contributor to ozone air pollution.
Despite their small numbers compared to the total vehicles in
California, diesel engines account for 40 percent of the total
nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx). NOx contributes to the formation
of ground level ozone (smog). A comprehensive study of children
in Southern California shows that ozone air pollution may actually
cause asthma.
The American Lung Association has been working hard in California
to reduce emissions from diesel-powered cars, buses and trucks
by advocating the steady transition from diesel to cleaner fuels
such as natural gas, electricity and fuel cells.
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.
Particulate matter is among the most harmful of all air pollutants.
When inhaled, these tiny particles can lodge deep into the lungs.
Particulate matter is especially harmful to people with lung disease
and heart disease. Recent research has linked exposure to relatively
low levels of particulate matter with premature death. Those at
greatest risk are the elderly and people with pre-existing respiratory
or heart disease.
The American Lung Association is urging the California Air Resources
Board to adopt the stringent new air quality standards for particulate
matter currently included in the staff proposal going to the Board
for a June vote. The proposal, which significantly strengthens
the current standards, includes new standards for fine particles,
less that 2.5 microns in diameter, and revised standards for coarse
particles. If implemented, the proposed new standards for particulate
matter air pollution would result in 6,500 fewer premature deaths
annually and 389,000 fewer days of lower respiratory symptoms
in children annually.
The American Lung Association of California is also urging the
state to rely more on renewable energy such as wind, solar and
geothermal for electricity generation. Renewable energy is a cleaner
alternative to power plants and a viable option. It already provides
about 11 percent of the state’s electricity.
During its Clean Air Month in May, the American Lung Association
reminds individuals, companies and organizations that everyone
can make a difference in the fight against air pollution. Californians
can help reduce air pollution by driving less and making their
next vehicle a zero-emission vehicle such as an electric car.
In fact, reduced purchase and rental rates are available on cleaner-fueled
vehicles at the American Lung Association’s web site through
a partnership with EV Rental Cars (http://californialung.org/spotlight/evrental.html).
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 cleaner fuels such as electricity, compressed
natural gas or fuel cells.
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 13-17.
For more information about Clean Air Month activities in your
area, call your local American Lung Association at 1.800.LUNG.USA
or visit our web site at www.californialung.org.
The American Lung Association, which has been fighting lung disease for
more than 95 years, is one of the only voluntary health agencies
that advocates for clean air policies. With the generous support
of the public and the help of our volunteers, we have seen many
advances against lung disease. However, our work is not finished.
In our second century, we will continue to strive to make breathing
easier for everyone. Along with our medical section, the California
Thoracic Society, we provide educational programs, community service,
advocacy and research. The American Lung Association's activities
are supported by Christmas Seals and Chanukah and Kwanzaa e-Greetings,
along with other voluntary contributions. For more information,
visit www.californialung.org.
###
Five Local
Governments Commit to Purchase Cleaner Vehicles
-- American Lung Association of California Pushes for More
-- Statewide Campaign Raises Awareness about Diesel Exhaust, Particulate Matter
and Cleaner Alternatives during Clean Air Month
(News Release -- May 15, 2002)
Print Ads: There’s Even More You Should Know About Diesel
View or Download Ads
There’s Even More You Should Know About Clearing the Air
(Clean Air Tips)
California Air District Resource Directory
2002
There’s Even More You Should Know About Diesel
Frequently Asked Questions About Diesel Fuel
Particulate Matter Air Pollution - There’s Even More You Should Know About Particulate Matter
Public Health and Diesel
Fact Sheet
Renewable Energy - There’s Even More You Should Know About Renewable Energy
There’s Even More You Should Know About Smart Growth, Urban Sprawl, Air Quality and Health
Fact Sheet
Clean Air Month 2002 Proclamation
Sample Proclamation for California Cities & Counties
Milestones in Air Pollution History
American Lung Association Timeline
Cleaner Fuels -- There’s Even More You Should Know About Cleaner Vehicles
Environmental Justice
Fact Sheet
Position Statement: Reducing Public Exposure To Diesel Emissions From Heavy Duty Vehicles
Green Diesel: Fact or Fiction? Reducing Toxic Soot from Trucks and Buses
(Backgrounder from Natural Resources Defense Council and Coalition for Clean Air)
From Breathe Easy Magazine, Spring/Summer 2002:
Cover Story: Smog and Your Lungs
Public Policy Update: Association Works to Reduce Diesel Exhaust
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