EPA Announces Nearly $96 Million to Protect New York Students from Diesel Exhaust

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced the recipients of their 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition. For New York, the rebates total about $95.7 million and will help 47 communities across the state purchase 350 electric buses and 5 propane buses to replace existing diesel buses.

The Clean School Bus Program is meant to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money for school districts, and produce cleaner air. EPA claims that phasing out diesel engines will ensure cleaner air for students, bus drivers, and school staff working near the bus loading areas, and for the communities these buses drive through.

Exposure to diesel exhaust is a concern due to its complex mixture of various gases and fine particles that contain more than 40 toxic compounds, according to the EPA. The gases include hydrocarbons and oxides of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen. The particles mainly consist of organic carbon compounds adsorbed onto cores of microscopic elemental carbon.

More than 95% of these particles are less than 1 micrometer in size and are respirable. Due to this tiny size, diesel exhaust PM can be inhaled deeply into the lungs and even into the bloodstream. Short-term exposure to high concentrations of diesel PM and exhaust can cause headaches, dizziness, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Prolonged exposure can increase the risk of cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary, and respiratory diseases, as well as lung cancer.

“Diesel exhaust exposure is not just a concern for students, teachers, and faculty,” said Frank Selamie, President of CTSI. “Anyone living or working in communities close to busy roads, freeways, ports, construction sites, truck yards, and other facilities with diesel engines could be at risk. Diesel exhaust can even make its way indoors in many instances. These are all reasons why the environmental and industrial hygiene professionals at CTSI offer testing, monitoring, and consulting services protect against exposure to diesel exhaust and other airborne pollutants.”

To learn more about CTSI’s industrial hygiene, environmental, health, and safety services, please visit www.ctsiweb.com, email contactus@ctsiweb.com, or call (212) 971-7016.

About CTSI
Established in 1992, Consulting & Testing Services, Inc. (CTSI) was founded on one strong commitment: to provide efficient and expert services to clients based on professionalism, innovation, and cost-effective expert solutions. This commitment has been furthered with CTSI’s reputation in fostering client relationships in all sectors of the Environmental, Health, Safety, and Construction industries. CTSI prides itself in utilizing a high quality service based on its diverse team of staff and professionals’ concise recommendations and solutions to the most pressing dilemmas. The company operates offices in New York and Florida that service clients across the United States.

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Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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