Protecting Rhode Island families from diesel pollution
Diesel Pollution Makes Rhode Islanders Sick
We see it everywhere—thick clouds of black exhaust billow from trucks, buses, construction equipment, and trains.
But the scariest thing about diesel pollution is what we don’t see.
Diesel exhaust contains very fine soot particles and air toxins. When
these tiny particles are inhaled deep into our lungs, they can trigger
asthma and heart attacks and cause lung cancer.
Children are especially susceptible to the health threat posed by
diesel pollution. Children are exposed to extremely high levels of
diesel pollution in or near school buses that are not equipped with
modern pollution controls. Seniors are also at elevated risk, as diesel
pollution has been linked to fatal heart attacks.
The health problems from diesel pollution are not limited to seniors
and children. The primary sources of diesel pollution are concentrated
in urban areas. Everyone who lives or works in a city faces grave
health effects from diesel pollution. People who commute by car, train
or bus are also exposed to diesel pollution.
Rhode Island at Risk
Providence County ranks among the worst six percent of all counties in
the United States for health impacts from diesel pollution. The average
lifetime cancer risk from diesel soot for Providence County residents
is 330 times higher than the acceptable risk level determined by the
United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Diesel pollution in Rhode Island causes unacceptable health problems each year.
• 50 premature deaths
• 80 non-fatal hearth attacks
• 900 asthma attacks
• 1400 respiratory symptoms in children
• 5500 missed days of works
Source: Clean Air Task Force, An Analysis of Diesel Air Pollution and Public Health in America (Feb. 2005).
The Rhode Island Diesel Pollution is a coalition of health, labor, community
and environmental organizations working to reduce diesel pollution 75% by 2015.
Diesel Engines Are Here to Stay; Let’s Make Them Cleaner
A First Step: Diesel Pollution Initiative Passes the Anti-Idling Act
The Rhode Island Diesel Pollution Initiative was formed by the American
Lung Association, Clean Water Action, Environment Northeast, and the
Environment Rhode Island to reduce the threat that diesel pollution
poses to public health across Rhode Island.
In 2006, we beat the special interests and passed the Anti-Idling Act
to ban the unnecessary idling of diesel engines. The law also requires
the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to issue
a report that identifies sources of diesel pollution and strategies for
reducing pollution from these sources. The Anti-Idling Act represents
the first step on a path towards cleaner, healthier air in Rhode
Island. But we can do much more to reduce diesel pollution.
Reducing Diesel Emissions 75% by 2015
Beginning in 2007, federal standards will require new diesel engines to
be 90% cleaner than they are today. Since these standards only apply to
new engines, older, dirtier diesels will be on Rhode Island’s roads and
at our job-sites for years to come, unless we act now.
Today we have the technology to reduce diesel pollution across Rhode Island by:
• Installing diesel particulate filters onto old dirty engines
• Using cleaners fuel, such as ultra-low sulfur diesel or biodiesel
• Replacing or rebuilding the diesel fleets that expose Rhode
Islanders to the highest levels
pollution.
We Can Save Lives Working Together
This
year, Rhode Island has the opportunity to make reducing diesel
pollution a top public health priority. The next important step is the
study of the sources of and solutions for diesel pollution in Rhode
Island.
To get serious about reducing diesel pollution, the study must create a
roadmap for how Rhode Island can achieve a 75% reduction in diesel
pollution by 2015. We have the technology to make this happen. Now we
need the state plan and the political will.
Join the Rhode Island Diesel Pollution Initiative and be part of the solution!
Rhode Island Diesel Pollution Initiative
American Lung Association
www.lungri.org - (401) 421-6487 X20
www.env-ne.org - (617) 469-6375
Environment Rhode Island
www.environmentrhodeisland.org - (401) 421-6535
Clean Water Action
www.cleanwateraction.org/ri - (401) 331-6972