PHOENIX, AZ – Nine Valley schools are joining an effort to reduce pollution near campuses, according to a Thursday announcement by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Various middle and elementary schools in the Maricopa Unified School District joined the Anti-Idling Bus Program which works to reduce diesel pollution in the air nearby school campuses.
The program, which began in 2004, requires that all school buses turn off their engines when waiting for students in loading and drop-off areas by schools.
In addition to turning off their engines, the buses must remain about 100 feet away from school buildings so that no diesel emissions will be brought into the school’s air intake systems.
According to the ADEQ, diesel emissions from the buses can aggravate respiratory problems and the carbon monoxide it produces can potentially reduce the learning capacity in children.
"This is proving to be a great partnership between ADEQ and school districts throughout the state," said ADEQ Director Benjamin H. Grumbles. "It has produced outstanding results in reducing the children's exposure to toxic diesel exhaust and we strongly encourage other school districts in the state to join us in this important effort."
Approximately 157 schools now participate in the program, resulting in about 4,800 school buses reducing their idling times and through that, their emissions.
