SCHOOL BUSES AND IDLING

School buses provide our children with safe, convenient transportation. Diesel exhaust from school buses, however, poses a health risk, particularly to children. Diesel exhuast contains small particles as well as smog-forming and toxic air pollutants. Exposure to diesel exhaust can cause lung damage and respiratory problems and can exacerbate asthma and existing allergies. Buses that idle outside schools can pollute the aire inside school buildings as well as outdoors. Fortunately, there are steps that schools can take to reduce diesel exhaust from school buses.
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction recommends the following for all school districts:
1. Buses should not idle longer than five (5) minutes. Additional idling does not help the school bus get warmer.
2. Buses should not park "nose to tail" when it can be avoided.
3. Buses should not idle while loading or unloading on school grounds.
4. Buses should not park on school grounds near building air-intake systems.
5. No bus should run without the driver being within three feet of the bus.

All school systems in the SEQL region have anti-idling policies in place. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction required all systems to develop a policy in reaction to the fuel shortages in the fall of 2005.

How Are Children Affected?

Air pollution from diesel vehicles has health implications for everyone,but children may be more susceptible to this pollution because they breathe 50 percent more air per pound of body weight than do adults.