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A recent study by the Clean Trucks Pennsylvania Coalition reveals that nearly 70,000 children in Pennsylvania are at risk due to exposure to diesel pollution. The study highlights that 122 K-12 schools, 217 licensed childcare centers, and 300 public parks are located within 500 meters of interstate highways with heavy truck traffic. This proximity exposes children to dangerous levels of toxic diesel emissions.
Janet Conklin, a researcher with Generation180, emphasized the vulnerability of children, stating, "Children are particularly vulnerable because they breathe more air per unit of body weight, spend more time outside, and their lungs and immune systems are still developing." The study identifies areas such as Camp Hill, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, and York as particularly affected.
The coalition recommends implementing no-idling zones, air quality monitoring, and landscape buffers to mitigate the impact of diesel pollution. According to the Clean Trucks Pennsylvania Coalition, transitioning to electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses is crucial to reducing emissions and protecting communities from pollution.
The study underscores the urgent need for Pennsylvania to address its diesel pollution problem, which disproportionately affects children, the elderly, and low-income communities living near highways and industrial areas. By adopting strong policies like the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule, the state can improve air quality and promote environmental justice.