Clean Air News

RALEIGH–Diesel exhaust from trucks, buses, construction equipment and other vehicles pose a major health risk to North Carolina commuters, according to a new report released today by Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Carolinas Clean Energy Coalition, American Lung Association of North Carolina and Environment North Carolina. The report, produced by the non-profit Clean Air Task Force, a Boston-based environmental research group, shows that even though individuals spend only a tiny portion of their day commuting, it’s during the commute that they receive more than half of their overall exposure to deadly fine particle pollution.

“Exposure to diesel exhaust during commutes poses a serious public health risk that needs to be addressed,” Susan King Cope, American Lung Association of North Carolina stated. “The good news is that the technology is available today to reduce diesel pollution from trucks, buses and other sources by over 85%, ensuring a cleaner and safer environment for all North Carolinians.”

Diesel exhaust is a significant contributor to fine particle pollution, which can cause lung cancer, stroke, heart attack and premature death.  Diesel vehicles emit this soot at ground level where people breathe, which can also trigger asthma attacks and make people more likely to become allergic. Some health researchers have estimated that such fine particles are responsible for shortening the lives of at least 70,000 Americans each year, including 300 North Carolinians.  

“North Carolina has made great strides in cleaning up soot-forming pollution from power plants,” Elizabeth Ouzts, state director for Environment North Carolina said.  “This report shows clearly that North Carolina leaders now need to act to clean up soot pollution from vehicles.”

The Task Force specifically investigated diesel exhaust levels during commutes in New York, Boston, Austin and Columbus, Ohio and found that diesel particle levels were four to eight times higher inside commuter cars, buses and trains than in the ambient outdoor air in those cities.

“Our investigation demonstrated that you may be exposed to high levels of diesel particles whether you commute by car, bus, ferry, train or on foot,” Dr. Bruce Hill, senior scientist for Clean Air Task Force and the principal investigator on the study stated.

Legislators in New York have acted to ensure that major contributors to soot pollution—including school buses, public transit vehicles, and construction equipment—are using modern control technology to reduce their emissions by 85 percent, and legislators in other states are joining them.  The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Carolinas Clean Air Coalition, American Lung Association of North Carolina, and Environment North Carolina are supporting similar policies in North Carolina.  In addition to state action, the coalition of environmental and health groups is calling on the federal government to fully fund the Diesel Emission Reduction Act to provide additional funds for state diesel retrofits.

“Unfortunately, nationally there are 13 million existing diesel engines in service today that are polluting at high levels, but this can be corrected with a simple filter,” Anne Gilliam, diesel and biofuels program coordinator for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy stated. “The fuels and technologies are available to make our commutes healthier.  All we need now is the political will.”

The new report can be found online at www.catf.us/goto/noescape

For information about diesel risk in specific communities, go to: www.catf.us/

projects/diesel/dieselhealth/.

National media teleconference hosted by Clean Air Task Force to discuss this landmark report:  No Escape from Diesel Exhaust: How to Reduce Commuter Exposure.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007, 2:30 p.m. EST

Call-in:  1-800-351-6805, Pass code: 4016