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Tuesday, April 29, 2008 @ 1:26 PM
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Along with the spring flowers, signs are popping up at
schools participating in the collaborative effort between
West Virginia’s Department of Environmental Protection and
the Department of Education to establish idle free zones.

The Idle Free Zone campaign is an outreach project targeted
at reducing diesel emissions from school buses, but
includes exhaust emissions from passenger vehicles and
delivery trucks on school property.  The signs are meant to
encourage compliance with the WV State Board of Education
policy 4336 to minimize idling.  The goal is to raise
awareness and stop or limit engine idling.

“The cooperation between our agencies will provide benefits
not only in creating even healthier school environments,
but improving air quality as well,” said John Benedict,
Division of Air Quality Director.  “This project should
improve air quality both outside and inside the schools
that participate.”

The idle free zone signs are free to the approximately 800
public schools in the state, and to private schools and
Head Start locations as well.  To date, 47 county public
school systems, as well as a few private schools, are
participating. 

“If all of the more than 3,700 public school buses in the
state decreased idling by 30 minutes a day during the
school year, fuel cost savings would amount to
approximately $700,000 a year,” said Ben Shew, Department
of Education transportation director. He added that this
estimate does not include potential savings from reduced
school bus idling at extracurricular activities, such as
sporting events and field trips.
       
Diesel fumes from idling school buses can be harmful when
loading students onto buses, particularly when several
buses are lined up and running all at once.  According to
the American Lung Association, children are more
susceptible to air pollution than healthy adults.  Their
respiratory systems are still developing and they have a
faster breathing rate.  Diesel exhaust can aggravate
respiratory and cardiovascular disease and existing
asthma.     
                       
   
“By not idling, you use less fuel, save money, and help air
quality,” said Renu Chakrabarty, the DEP’s team leader for
the Idle Free Zone.  “It’s a win-win situation.”
               
For more information about the idle free zone project, go
to www.wvdep,org/daq and click on the Idle Free Zone
graphic, or go to the diesel exhaust emissions link on the
right side of the page.  To inquire about the free signs,
school administrators may contact Tammy Mowrer at (304) 926-
0499 ext. 1237, or e-mail her at tmowrer@wvdep.org.

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Contact: Kathy Cosco 304-926-0440