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Cleaning Up Diesel PollutionWhat's NewDiesel 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. How You Can HelpPlease e-mail your state legislators and ask them to support the Diesel Bill (SB 502 and HB 732). Brief SummaryCurrently, there are 450 premature deaths, almost 10,000 asthma attacks, 13,000 respiratory symptoms in children, and 60,000 lost work days due to diesel pollution alone each year in Massachusetts.The Boston Metro area is in the 97th percentile for health risks due to diesel pollution, and the average lifetime diesel soot cancer risk for a resident of the Boston-Cambridge area is a 563 times EPA’s acceptable risk 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 or renewing of old diesel engines. |