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2019 HELD Campaign: Diesel

Diesel

When it comes to diesel emissions and children’s health…
Does your school get an “A” for action?

  • Diesel emissions can cause cancer and respiratory problems, and are linked to other health effects. Children are more vulnerable to harm.
  • Diesel-powered buses can be an important source of exposure for children.
  • Cleaner bus technologies and a range of low-cost options can reduce exposures for students, staff and communities.

Let’s take action on diesel emissions to ensure healthier air for our kids.

Learn about 4 Actions to reduce children’s exposure to diesel emissions.

4 ACTIONS MINI-POSTER

Learn more about the health effects of diesel emissions and actions to protect children:

Diesel emissions are harmful to health

Diesel emissions are a known cause of lung cancer and are linked to asthma and other health problems. Children can be more vulnerable to harm from diesel emissions.

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Where kids encounter diesel emissions

Children can be exposed to diesel emissions on buses, in loading zones and adjacent playgrounds, and by breathing contaminated indoor air.

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Action to protect children from diesel emissions

There are many ways to protect kids from diesel emissions, from establishing no-idling zones to replacing older buses. Parents, educators, administrators and governments all have roles to play.

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4 Actions to reduce children's exposure to diesel emissions:

WHEN IT COMES TO DIESEL EMISSIONS AND CHILDREN’S HEALTH... DOES YOUR SCHOOL GET AN "A" FOR ACTION? Diesel buses have been delivering our kids to school for decades. But when it comes to the health risks posed by diesel emissions, our children deserve better. Diesel emissions are a known cause of lung cancer and are linked to asthma, heart problems, allergy symptoms and other health concerns. Children can be particularly vulnerable to diesel emissions’ harmful effects. Is your school making the grade on diesel emissions and health? Check the list: FOUR ACTIONS TO REDUCE CHILDREN’S EXPOSURE TO DIESEL BUS EMISSIONS: #1. STOP IDLING Turn the engines off while school buses are waiting in loading zones or near school grounds. #2. AVOID BUS ‘CARAVANNING’ Ensure there is a gap between buses during travel and in loading zones to keep the exhaust of one bus from polluting the cabin air of another. #3. CHANGE THE TIMING OF SCHOOL VENTILATION Help reduce the infiltration of diesel bus and other vehicle emissions into schools by ensuring that high ventilation periods do not occur during busy loading/unloading times or rush hour. #4. UPGRADE AND REPLACE OLD BUSES Emissions from older buses can be improved with pollution control upgrades, and new technology diesel engines offer vastly improved emissions performance. Best of all, replace old diesel vehicles with new buses powered by cleaner energy such as electricity. By shifting from outmoded diesel engines towards a cleaner transportation future, we can show our kids that we care about their health and the sustainability of our planet. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DIESEL AND WHAT YOU CAN DO: visit healthyschoolsday.ca Healthy Schools Day Promoting healthy learning environments for children and youth
4 ACTIONS MINI-POSTER

1. STOP IDLING

Turn the engines off while school buses are waiting in loading zones or near school grounds.

2. AVOID BUS 'CARAVANNING'

Ensure there is a gap between buses during travel and in loading zones to keep the exhaust of one bus from polluting the cabin air of another.

3. CHANGE THE TIMING OF SCHOOL VENTILATION

Help reduce the infiltration of diesel bus and other vehicle emissions into schools by ensuring that high ventilation periods do not occur during busy loading/unloading times or rush hour.

4. UPGRADE AND REPLACE OLD BUSES

Emissions from older buses can be improved with pollution control upgrades, and new technology diesel engines offer vastly improved emissions performance. Best of all, replace old diesel vehicles with new buses powered by cleaner energy such as electricity.

Social media resources:

Picture of boy standing alongside of school bus outdoors with chicldren in the background. Text reads: Healthy Schools Day is April 4th, 2019. Learn about four actions to help protect our kids from the health risks of diesel emissions exposure.
Picture of stop sign on side of school bus. Text reads: Stop idling to reduce chcildren's exposure to harmful diesel emissions in bus loading ones and near school grounds. See the four actions to help protect our kids from exposure to diesel emissions.
Picture of chiclren exiting from school bus entering into school. Text reads: Children can be exposed to diesel emissions even while inside a school. Time the school's ventilation system to avoid drawing in pollutants during bus unloading and rush hour. See the four actions to help protect our kids from exposure to diesel emissions.
Picture of teacher with children standing outside school bus. Text reads: Diesel emissions can cause cancer and respiratory problems, and are linked to other health effects. Children are more vulnerable to harm. Learn the 4 actions to helps protect our kids from the heath risks of diesel emissions exposure.
Picture of back of school bus. Text reads: Leave a gap between buses during travel in loading zones to keep the exhaust of one bus from polluting the cabin air of another. see the four actions to help protect our kids from exposure to diesel emissions.
Picture of front of school bus. Text reads: Reduce diesel emissions by upgrading older buses or, if possible, replacing them altogether with buses powered by cleaner energy such as electricity. See the four actions to help protect our kids from exposure to diesel emissions.