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Diesel pollution is making us sick. Studies show that diesel pollution
contains more than 40 “air toxics” including carcinogens and fine
particulate matter. When inhaled, these air toxics have been known to
trigger asthma and heart attacks. There is also evidence that diesel
pollution causes cancer and respiratory diseases. That is why Environment Massachusetts
has launched the Campaign To Clean Up Dirty Diesel.
Brief Summary
Currently, there are 450 premature deaths, almost 10,000 asthma attacks, 13,000 respiratory symptoms in children, and 60,000 lost workdays due to diesel pollution alone each year in Massachusetts.The Boston Metro area is in the 97th percentile for health risks due todiesel pollution, and the average lifetime diesel soot cancer risk fora resident of the Boston-Cambridge area is a 563 times EPA’s acceptablerisk level.
Environment Massachusetts is currently working to reduce diesel pollution by 75% by the year 2010. While working with ACE, Environment Northeast, and Clean Water Action we plan to implement standards that will require more environmentally friendly fuels, less idling, and retrofitting of old diesel engines.
The facts on diesel pollution:
DIESEL POLLUTION MAKES US SICK
Annually, diesel pollution in Massachusetts is responsible for more than:
* 450 premature deaths
* 700 non-fatal heart attacks
* 9,900 asthma attacks
* 13,000 respirator symptoms in children
* 60,000 work loss days
OUR COMMUNITIES ARE AT RISK
Massachusetts has the highest health risk from diesel soot in New England. The Boston metro area has the 3rd highest risk from diesel pollution in the country. Small particles
of soot lodge deep in our lungs, increasing asthma rates and other health problems.
DIESEL POLLUTION IS ALL AROUND US
The major sources of diesel pollution are right near our homes and businesses: Garbage & Recycling Trucks, State-Owned Heavy Duty On-road & Non-road Diesels, Buses, Construction and Industrial Equipment, Delivery Trucks, Locomotives, and Marine Vessels.
AFFORDABLE SOLUTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TODAY
Pollution control equipment and cleaner fuels can reduce harmful fine particle pollution by up to 90% by retrofitting with Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs). States such as California, New Jersey, and New York already require these retrofits and have committed hundreds of millions of dollars to clean up their diesels. These states’ cost-effective approach will secure $13 in health benefits for every $1 spent on retrofits.
DIESEL LEGISLATION CAN MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES HEALTHY!
Diesel pollution is a huge problem. Please lend your support to a comprehensive solution and contact the Diesel Pollution Solution Coalition for more information. This session, Sen. Hart filed S.502 and Rep. Coakley-Rivera filed H.732 “An Act to Protect Public Health and Air Quality by Reducing Harmful Diesel Emissions.”
The comprehensive legislation includes three key elements that
would protect public health:
- Requires state owned, leased, or contracted diesels to install pollution retrofits by 2011.
- Requires municipal garbage and recycling trucks to install pollution retrofits by 2012.
- Establishes the “Diesel Emissions Reduction Fund” to ensure private fleets retrofits and maximize the receipts of federal dollars for diesel retrofits.
Also, Sen. Tolman and Rep. Wolf have filed S.557/H.898 “An Act Reducing Diesel Emissions from Non Road Construction Vehicles.” The bill focuses only on construction equipment as a first step and will require the use clean fuels and pollution-reduction technology for construction equipment owned by the state or used in state-funded construction projects. And, Rep. Provost has introduced two bills (H.2227 and H.840) addressing PM pollution.
