Inhaling Diesel Exhaust Can Cause Respiratory Diseases: Virginia to Modify to Electric School BusesTop Stories

May 14, 2018 11:02
Inhaling Diesel Exhaust Can Cause Respiratory Diseases: Virginia to Modify to Electric School Buses

(Image source from: Sonny Merryman Inc)

As yellow diesel powered school buses have shuttled generations of kids  to and from school, but today few schools are trying to transform for electric or battery powered buses to hit Virginia roads in near future. There are thousands of school buses that run on diesel in Virginia.

The United States Public Interest Research Group, that work to win concrete results on real issues that affect of millions of lives. Their aim is to uncover the facts that benefits public and bring them through media as well as one-to-one interactions.

The U.S. PIRG recently published a report urging school districts to ditch diesel. “Inhaling diesel exhaust can cause respiratory diseases and worsen existing conditions. While diesel technology has improved in recent years, with new buses emitting far less, the exhaust is still dangerous for children,” says Matt Casale, with U.S. PIRG.

He further said, “Kids are especially vulnerable because their lungs are still developing and because they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults that may result in asthma or it may even cause cancer. For kids there is no established safe level of exposure to diesel exhaust pollutants.”

Fairfax county that has one of the largest school bus fleets in the nation is considered as a leader in terms of electric buses in Michigan.

Jeff Palntenberg, Assistant superintendent of facilities and transportation for Fairfox County Public Schools said that he still has some concerns about electric bus technology, especially regarding range and reliability.

By Sowmya Sangam

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Virginia  Schools  School buses  Kids