By Eric Stevick
Herald Writer
EVERETT — Everett School District’s diesel buses have dramatically reduced their production of fine particles and toxic emissions that can cause health problems.
The pollution-cutting efforts of the district and its transportation contractor, Durham School Services, were recognized Monday. They were the first partners in a regional "Diesel Solutions" program led by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to reduce diesel exhaust emissions.
Durham is in varying stages of using three pollution reduction strategies on its fleet. They include an ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel and retrofitting its buses with particulate filters and a device that converts harmful carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water.
"This program is very important to the health of our communities and especially to the health of school children," said Dennis McLerran, executive director of the clean air agency.
Diesel exhaust is a major source of fine particles and more than 40 substances that are listed as hazardous pollutants, reports the clean air authority. The tiny particles can become trapped in the small airways of the lungs when inhaled.
Reducing the emissions cuts the incidence and severity of asthma attacks and risks of lung cancer, McLerran said. Studies have also linked diesel particulate to other respiratory ailments and heart disease.
Earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency gave a Clean Air Excellence Award to the Diesel Solutions program. It was one of 20 nationwide.
Paul Roberts, an Everett School Board member and director of planning and community development for the city of Everett, described the district as "a pioneer" in reducing school bus emissions.
The new technology has made a difference, said Brian Higginbotham, general manager of Durham’s Everett operations.
He pointed to records that show a 50 percent reduction in particulate matter in buses running on the ultra-low-sulfur diesel and a 95 percent reduction in particulate matter, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in buses with the ultra-low-sulfur diesel and particulate filter.
The filter is a ceramic honeycomb device that catches fine particles of soot, the unburned fuel, and burns the particles carrying the hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide to ash, officials said.
The fuel costs about 8 cents more per gallon while the filters run about $5,500 each.
Sixty-six percent of the Everett fleet is now using the ultra-low sulfur diesel, Higginbotham said. Six buses have the device to convert carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, and 13 buses have been retrofitted with the particulate filters.
The EPA rules will require new diesel engines to meet lower emission levels beginning in 2007 and the ultra-low-sulfur fuels for most on-road engines in 2006.
You can call Herald Writer Eric Stevick at 425-339-3446
or send e-mail to stevick@heraldnet.com.
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