NESCAUM (Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management) is assisting citizens’ groups in the northeast states (CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT) in surveying the extent of diesel vehicle emissions in their communities. The project will gather data and draw attention to the problem of heavily smoking trucks and buses.
Diesel trucks and buses emit soot or small particles that can travel deep into the lungs when breathed and aggravate asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory problems and exacerbate environmental problems including smog and visibility. Despite representing less than 5 percent of the vehicle miles traveled, diesel powered vehicles emit more than half the particulate matter and almost 13 percent of all oxides of nitrogen (an important ingredient in smog) emitted by all vehicles.
Some of the compounds in diesel emissions are known to cause cancer. The great majority of visible smoke emissions from diesel engines result from poor maintenance and/or tampering with emission controls. It is these visible emissions that are targeted in NESCAUM’s diesel monitoring project. However, improving maintenance will reduce emission of all pollutants.
Communities can use information on emissions to pinpoint pollution problems, advocate for improved maintenance programs--especially for publicly owned or operated fleets--and help pass legislation and regulations for local trucks and buses.
Anyone wishing to get their community, group, classroom or school involved can contact Barbara Berney at NESCAUM, <bberney@nescaum.org>, 129 Portland Street, Boston, MA 02114, (617) 367-8540.