[DEHC] Don't Emit, Retrofit! Diesel Pollution Solution event, 10/22, noon

[Rosanne.Foley at codman.org]

Don't Emit, Retrofit!
Diesel Pollution Solution:  "Scientist Demonstrates Effective Diesel 
Pollution Control Device"
 
Date: Monday 10/22
Time: 12 Noon
Location: Grace Church (tentative)
 
Air pollution from diesel vehicles is a problem, especially in our cities. 
 How bad is the problem?  What can we do to fix it?  The Diesel Pollution 
Solution coalition is holding a press conference/educational event in 
Dorchester on Monday 10/22 at 12 NOON with Senator Jack Hart, Senior 
Scientist from the Clean Air Task Force Bruce Hill, health professionals, 
advocates and community members.  Like many urban areas, Dorchester is 
getting more than its fair share of harmful diesel fumes.
 
Dr. Bruce Hill, senior scientist with the Clean Air Task force, will use 
special equipment to measure the amount of emissions from 2 diesel trucks. 
One of the trucks has new retrofit filter technology installed that gets 
up to a 90% reduction in harmful emissions.  The other is just a standard 
box truck with no retrofit equipment installed.
 
Senator Jack Hart will speak to current legislation that will help MA 
catch up to other states like CA, NY, and NJ in cleaning up dirty diesels. 
 Although the diesel problem is bad, as Dr. Hill will illustrate, the 
solution is simple . . . we must install filters on as many vehicles as 
possible to maximize health benefits in our community. Senator Hart is 
working right now to move a comprehensive bill that would require priority 
fleets install filters over a period of years.  These fleets include: 
waster haulers, recycling trucks, state and municipally owned vehicles, 
and the legislation creates a fund to assist private fleets. 
 
This will help eliminate the 475 preventable deaths from diesel each year, 
and the help reduce suffering from asthma.
 
This is a great learning opportunity for people of all ages.  The activity 
will include: hands-on scientific 'fieldwork' and analysis with an expert; 
opportunity to apply scientific information for advocacy in the 
legislature with a senator; opportunity to serve the community by speaking 
out on the impact of diesel in local health.