Diesel Campaign

The Philadelphia region, which includes Delaware, does not meet federal air quality standards for particulate matter (soot) and ozone (smog) – pollutants found in diesel emissions. Clean Air Council works to reduce pollution from diesel emissions in Philadelphia and Delaware through its work on ports, and the Diesel Difference Working Groups in both areas.

 

Particulate matter (PM) can have many negative health impacts that include an increased rate of asthma and asthma attacks, bronchitis, heart disease, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and other respiratory and heart-related impacts. New studies even show that PM can contribute to diabetes and obesity, as well as an increased rate of cancer.

 

Clean Air Council focuses its diesel pollution reduction program work on delivery and drayage trucks, public and school buses, and machinery at the Philadelphia and Delaware ports. Some of the strategies the Council uses include anti-idling campaigns, diesel exhaust retrofit programs, community air monitoring, and working with industry through the Diesel Difference Groups to come up with creative solutions for reducing diesel pollution.