Press Release
What’s the “other” second-hand smoke that poses a health risk to 25
million students every school year?
Heraeus Sensor Technology offer parents practical tips and
strategies to protect children exposed to diesel school bus pollution.
YARDLEY, Pennsylvania, August 16, 2018- One of the most visible signs
indicating “back to school” season is the return of the ubiquitous yellow
school buses to the nation’s roads and highways. It also means the return
of an invisible threat to children’s health: billions of small particles from
diesel exhaust, known as fine particulate matter, as well as other toxic
substances. These pollutants, known as coarse and fine particles, are
among the 40 toxic substances and smog-forming nitrogen oxides that can
cause lung damage and aggravate asthma, allergies, bronchitis and other
respiratory health problems for children.
While diesel pollution from school buses presents a serious health
concern, “it is an issue that many parents are not aware of its implications
for their children,” says Bob Gliniecki, Product Manager of Heraeus Sensor
Technology, a leading provider of platinum sensors to the transportation
industry. Gliniecki, who served as a school board president in his
hometown for five years, added, “parents need to be informed and
engaged with their local school district to make sure they are taking the
necessary steps to reduce harmful emissions of their school bus fleet. The
respiratory health of children is at stake.”
According to the American School Bus Council, over 26 million K-12
children are transported by 500,000 licensed school buses each school
year, covering nearly 5.8 billion miles. Diesel emissions from these buses
and other transportation sources is particularly harmful to children because
they are more susceptible: their lungs are not fully formed, and they
breathe 50 percent more air per pound of body weight than adults.
Additionally, researchers have identified a phenomenon called “self
pollution” in which emissions from the exhaust pipe can seep back into the
bus cabin through tiny openings, giving children a second dose of harmful
exposure.
One way school districts are addressing this issue is by replacing aging
bus fleets or doing retro-fitting with pollution-cutting filters. Sensors play an
important role in adjusting and optimizing the operation of the school bus
emission control components. Heraeus high-temperature exhaust fume
temperature sensors ensure that the Exhaust Gas Recirculation system,
Diesel Particulate Filter and the SCR catalyst are operating properly.
Heraeus soot sensors measure the presence of soot in the exhaust, which
is a critical indication whether the diesel particulate is functioning properly.
As a former school board president, Gliniecki believes the most effective
way to make school buses healthier for children is parental involvement.
He observed, “In my five years on a school board, parents rarely raised
questions about school bus safety. There are numerous ways to be
informed, get involved and influence school policies.” Gliniecki offers
practical advice parents should employ when engaging with their child’s
school:
Assert your rights. Parents have a right to request and review a
district’s contract with a transportation provider or the district’s
transportation manager. Gliniecki noted that parents can request
information on the physical condition of the buses, the age of the
fleet, inspection records, maintenance schedules, repair history or
even the driving records of the drivers, adding, “You are within
your rights to request and obtain any information that pertains to
your child’s health and safety while riding on a school bus.”
Become familiar with state “No Idling” laws and local
regulations. Studies have shown that idling significantly increases
self-pollution within the bus. Currently, 31 states have enacted
anti-idling laws to restrict idling of more than five minutes in any
continuous 60-minute period. To reduce harmful emissions,
parents should ensure school districts are complying with any state
no-idling laws or request one to be established in community
school zones. Most modern buses no longer need extended idling
beyond five minutes to warm up.
Request school district plans for fleet management. Replacing
and/or retro-fitting older buses with better emissions-controlling
technology are two proven ways for school districts to directly
address diesel pollution. While it is understandable that school
districts and transportation companies to delay capital
expenditures as long as possible, Gliniecki says, “informed,
engaged and vocal parents can ensure that these investments
remain a high priority.”
While 95% of the nation’s 500,000 school buses are diesel powered,
Gliniecki points out that calls for an immediate conversion to electric buses
is not feasible. “Given the current limitations with electric batteries, diesel
buses will continue to play the leading role in transporting school children.
The goal is to make sure school districts use technologies and employ no-
idling policies to reduce the amounts of harmful pollutants children get
exposed to.”
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About Heraeus Sensor Technologies
Heraeus Sensor Technology is a global leader in platinum thin film
technology, providing highly precise and reliable platinum temperature
sensors and heating elements for automotive exhaust gas cleaning, e-
mobility, industrial processing, energy management, white goods,
electronics and life science. Core competencies are thin and thick film
processes and special material know-how to design expansion matched
sensor solutions which allow reliable operation between -200°C and
1000°C. For more information, please visit www.heraeus-sensor-
technology.com.
About Heraeus
A globally leading technology group, Heraeus is headquartered in Hanau,
Germany. Founded in 1851, it is a family-owned portfolio company which
traces its roots back to a pharmacy opened by the family in 1660. Today,
Heraeus combines businesses in the environmental, energy, electronics,
health, mobility and industrial applications sectors.
In the 2017 financial year, Heraeus generated revenues of €21.8 billion.
With approximately 13.000 employees in 40 countries, the FORTUNE
Global 500-listed company holds a leading position in its global markets.
Heraeus is one of the top 10 family-owned companies in Germany.