NC Public School Children Face High Exposure to Toxic Air Pollution from Cars and Trucks

(May 31, 2006 - Raleigh, NC) More than 50 percent of North Carolina public school students sit in classrooms that are within one-quarter mile of a major roadway, increasing their exposure to elevated levels of toxic air pollutants and raising the risk of respiratory problems.  For children with asthma, pollution from the tailpipes of cars and trucks can increase asthma attacks, emergency room visits, respiratory infections and hospitalizations.  The findings are part of  “School Days and Roadways,” an analysis conducted by the North Carolina office of Environmental Defense and Resource Data Inc. (www.environmentaldefense.org/go/cleancarsnc).  NC lawmakers are considering clean car bills (HB 2185 and SB 1560) in the current session.

“From playing kickball in kindergarten to running track in high school, public school students face a higher risk for breathing problems every day they go to school,” said Michael Shore, senior air policy analyst for Environmental Defense.  “We can’t move the schools.  We can’t re-route the roads.  But North Carolina should set stricter limits on the pollution that comes out of tailpipes and enters our children’s windpipes.”

To reduce dangerous emissions from automobiles and trucks, the analysis concludes that North Carolina should adopt clean car standards, which would set a pollution limit that is stricter than federal standards. 

Because of their size and breathing rates, children are more vulnerable than adults to the air pollution that comes from mobile sources such as cars and trucks, which account for 60% of the state’s toxic air pollution.  All told, about 85 percent of children in the state who attend public kindergarten through twelfth grade go to schools that are within one mile of a major road.  Major roads include US highways, NC highways and interstates. 

“Although it makes sense from a planning and transportation standpoint to build schools close to roads, the unintended public health consequence is that many children spend a lot of time in areas with elevated pollution levels.  Children and tailpipe pollution just don’t go together.  One plus the other equals too much exposure to dangerous pollutants,” said Shore.  “The most important step that North Carolina can take to reduce tailpipe pollution and protect our children is to adopt tighter emissions standards.”

Eleven states have passed legislation that reduces emissions from cars and trucks beyond federal standards.  The report says North Carolina should join those states and maintain its reputation as a leader in improving air quality.