Cleaning Up Diesel Emissions - Let's Get it Done!

From California ARB:
"We have posted an on-line survey to gather information on the use of certain on-road diesel vehicles in California. The purpose of the survey is to better understand the age and use of diesel vehicles used in different operations such as long-haul, local delivery, and other types of operations. We are working on a proposal that would currently require all diesel trucks and buses subject to the regulation to meet 2007 engine standards by 2013 and 2010 engine standards by 2021. We would like any person, business or corporation that owns or is leasing, for twelve months or more, any diesel powered truck, bus, pickup, or other vehicle to complete the survey. The survey is available at the following website:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onrdiesel/onrdiesel_new.htm
A hard copy version is also available at the website.

California Air Resources Board Meeting Webcast

On the Agenda today: Health Update: Environmental Justice, Air Pollution, and Health, Alternative Fuels >>

Most Polluted Air - Top Ten Cities 2007

Here are the top ten cities most polluted by short-term particle pollution according the the American Lung Associations "State of the Air 2007" Report.

1 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, CA
2 Pittsburgh-New Castle, PA
3 Fresno-Madera, CA
4 Bakersfield, CA
5 Logan, UT-ID
6 Birmingham-Hoover-Cullman, AL
7 Salt Lake City-Ogden-Clearfield, UT
8 Detroit-Warren-Flint, MI
9 Eugene-Springfield, OR
10 Cleveland-Akron-Elyria, OH

San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose region are in the top 20 at #15. We can do better.

California has to be at the frontlines of this issue, because we have the worst air in the nation.

Governor sues EPA for failing to act on California’s Tailpipe Emissions Request >>

The National Center for Atmospheric Research analyzed the emissions and estimated that the fires emitted 7.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from Oct. 19-26, the equivalent of about 25 percent of the average monthly emissions from all fossil fuel burning in the entire state of California.

Particulate Matter Pollution is not just a global warming issue, it's an immediate danger to our health. It can contribute to diseases such as cancer, asthma and bronchitis. We respond and take urgent action against things like the recent fuel spill, but what about the air we breathe everyday?

Dirty Diesel

70% of Cancer Risk comes from Diesel Exhaust

No Escape from Diesel Exhaust.Fine particulate matter pollution in the air is responsible for at least 70,000 deaths a year...Studies throughout the world show that people who live or work around diesel engines are at highest risk. But what about the rest of us? Exposure studies suggest that commuters on busy roadways, on diesel transit buses, and on commuter trains receive above-average exposures to fine particles. Studies by California Air Resources Board (CARB) researchers estimate that during the relatively small part of the day when we are in our vehicles, we experience over half of our exposures to ultrafine particles and black carbon.

Diesel Exhaust =Toxic Emissions

American Lung Association of California