Issues: Oil & Energy

No Breathing in the Aisles
Diesel Exhaust Inside School Buses


This February 2001 study from NRDC and the Coalition for Clean Air shows that children who ride a diesel school bus may be exposed to up to four times more toxic diesel exhaust than someone traveling in a car directly in front of it. The study found that excess exhaust levels on school buses were 23 to 46 times higher than levels considered to be a significant cancer risk according to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency and federal guidelines.

OVERVIEW & QUICK REFERENCE
Press Release
Frequently Asked Questions

FULL REPORT IN PDF
Adobe Acrobat file (size: 235k)
Click here if you need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader (free)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Links indicate sections available as individual webpages)
Introduction
Introduccion en Español
Chapter 1: Diesel Exhaust Exposures on California School Buses -- Study Results
Chapter 2: The Serious Health Impacts of Diesel Exhaust
Chapter 3: Cleaner Alternative Fuel School Buses Are Available Today
Chapter 4: Clean Fuel School Bus Success Stories Across America
Chapter 5: So-Called "Clean" and "Green Diesel" School Buses Remain Dirtier Than Alternative Fuel School Buses
Chapter 6: Aftertreatment, Repowers, and Rebuilds: How We Can Make Our Existing Diesel School Bus Fleet Cleaner
Chapter 7: Funding Is Available to Help School Districts Switch to Alternative Fuel School Buses, But More Is Needed
Chapter 8: Local Air Quality Agencies Can Adopt Fleet Rules Requiring School Districts to Purchase Only Clean Alternative Fuel School Buses
Chapter 9: Conclusions and Recommendations
Report Credits and Acknowledgments

Appendices
Appendix A: School Bus Monitoring Study Protocol
Appendix B: Potential Cancer Risk to Children in School Buses
Appendix C: The Aethalometer
Appendix D: Portable Monitor/Data Logger
Appendix E: Emissions Comparisons of ARB Certified Diesel, CNG, Propane (LPG) School Bus Engines and Non-Certified "Green" Diesel School Bus Engine Technology
Appendix F: Examples of Available Funding Sources for Conversion to Alternative Fuels
Appendix G: Sample Letters to the Air Board, the School District and Elected Officials
Appendix H: Sample School Board Resolution in Support of an Alternative Fuel School Bus Policy

For printed copies of this report, see our Publications List.

Sign Up For Our Monthly Newsletter

See the latest issue >

Related Stories

Efficient Appliances Save Energy -- and Money
A consumer's guide to buying energy efficient appliances and electronics.
Living Green: Here Comes the Sun
Finally, good affordable solar power for the rest of us.

Find Your Favorite NRDC website

News & Blogs:
OnEarth
Switchboard
Nature's Voice
Activism:
BioGems
Polar Bear SOS
Health & Green Living:
Simple Steps
This Green Life
Global Warming & Energy:
Beat the Heat
Move America Beyond Oil
Ocean Protection:
Your Oceans
For Kids:
Green Squad
For Business:
Building Green
Market Innovation
Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2)
NRDC Cool Sites:
It's Your Nature
GreenDay+NRDC