Abstract
The average K-12 student spends 48.6 minutes per day riding the school bus. With 180 school days in and academic year, that means on average a student spends 146 hours per year on the bus. Rural children spend up to 180 minutes per day on buses or 540 hours per year. Concentrations of PM 2.5 aboard school buses can be 4-2 times higher than ambient and roadway levels, respectively. Based on student personal air monitoring during transport it is estimated that levels of PM in and around buses can range up to 5-10 times higher than the background levels. Based on time spent commuting and the PM levels that students encounter during school bus rides, school buses significantly contribute to air pollutant exposure, including diesel exhaust particulates. Children with chronic lung conditions including asthmaticus, are extremely susceptible to PM levels and can be easily triggered into an asthma event due to exposure. The “BEST-Air©”” Program uses behavior, environmental, social and technology interventions to reduce the onset of asthma events by providing the cleanest air possible during bus commutes. Our data show an 80-87% reduction of PM pollutants in the actual breathing air of students who utilized the technique. Study results indicate an opportunity to reduce missed school days and school nurse visits due to asthma and the potential for increased learning outcomes. These findings have engaged health insurers, state health agencies, and school policy making bodies to consider utilizing this approach and institute policy changes to protect students’ health.
Presenters
John KraemerProfessor/Researcher, Environmental Science, Southeast Missouri State University, Missouri, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
KEYWORDS
ASTHMA, SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH POLICY, AIR POLLUTION
