Changing our Idling Ways

Hotline, Fall 2003

by Suzanne Seppi, GASP Executive Director

As children board school buses this fall, there is good reason to hope everyone will be breathing just a little easier. Why? Because there should be a lot less bus idling going on near the schools. Our readers will remember the recent May 6, “Stop School Bus Idling” Day that Allegheny County Council proclaimed on behalf of GASP. The proclamation was a reminder to the public, but GASP also sent informational packets, including sample anti-idling policies, to 300 local schools. Reinforcing GASP’s educational effort, the Health Department subsequently sent informational anti-idling packets to school districts.

Reduced idling, however, is voluntary and the proclamation was uniquely directed at school buses. There are many other vehicles, such as diesel trucks, buses, trains, and off-road equipment like construction vehicles, that also release unhealthy emissions. Since idling is often just a thoughtless act, an anti-idling regulation seemed like a no-brainer to County Council Vice President Rich Fitzgerald. Councilman Fitzgerald, in counsel with GASP, proceeded to the next obvious step, which was creating a proposal to control unnecessary idling by large diesel vehicles. Many other states and cities, including Philadelphia, have such ordinances. Using some of these models as a guide, an anti-idling ordinance proposal was put on the agenda for County Council’s consideration on June 17, 2003.

Following that County Council action, several special committee meetings were held with stakeholders such as Port Authority Transit, school districts, the Health Department, environmental groups and trucking companies. There was little resistance to this common sense pollution reduction strategy but there were some suggestions for additions and changes, taking into account situations where idling is unavoidable. For example, exceptionally cold weather might require additional vehicle warm-up time.

On August 19, 2003 the ordinance was finalized and presented to County Council, sponsored by Councilman Fitzgerald. It passed County Council unanimously and County Executive Jim Roddey later signed it. The Board of Health will refine the ordinance. Following are some highlights of the ordinance:

Diesel emissions are no small problem. A national estimate of cancer risk from diesel exhaust found that it is the #1 air toxics cancer risk in the United States.1 Moreover, particulate matter, a major component of diesel exhaust, has been linked to a wide variety of serious health impacts. These include upper and lower respiratory problems, such as asthma attacks and possible asthma onset, to heart attacks and premature death.2 The national non-profit group Clean Air Task Force has noted that there are few other sources of air pollution in the environment that are so widespread and toxic.

Unfortunately, those most affected by this toxic emission are our most vulnerable populations: the young, who breathe 50% more air per pound of body weight, and those already suffering cardiac or pulmonary disease. Additionally, minority populations and the poor are disproportionately affected because they are more likely to live in inner cities where their neighborhoods are exposed to high levels of diesel exhaust.

Making progress towards healthy air is the goal, and GASP is grateful for the cooperative work of the County Council and the Health Department in working to bring this relatively painless pollution solution to the county. The policy/rule-making turf for these two county entities is not clear and each is concerned about that. We expect that a new working relationship is being developed. It may be that creating the most effective process, one that incorporates the efforts and wisdom of both County Council and the Health Department, will require breaking new ground. We believe County Council and the Health Department are up to the job, and that is good news for the county’s environment. Stay tuned!

1. “Diesel Engines: Health and Environmental Impacts,” Clean Air Task Force, p.1, http://www.catf.us
2. Ibid, p. 2

Group Against Smog and Pollution | gasp@gasp-pgh.org | 412-325-7382
Wightman School Community Building, 5604 Solway Street, #204, Pittsburgh, PA 15217