Seven school districts in the state of Ohio have put policies in place that reduce the time diesel school buses idle while waiting for children. The toxins produced from the diesel engines can be harmful to children who are waiting to load the buses. The policies include “no idle” signs, the installation of engine filters, switching to cleaner fuels, and beginning idle-reduction policies. Many school districts in Ohio have also started or are considering biodiesel as a way to reduce the polutants while listening to the advocates for childrens health. The lowest cost solution is to implement idle-reduction policies although resistance to uncomfortable buses may be a problem in cold weather.
The schools adopting the policies have signs supplied by the Ohio Environmental Council which display a cloud of smoke, silhouettes of children and the words "No idle zone, children breathing" to remind drivers to turn off their engines. The biggest concern is the petroleum diesel fuel used in buses -- it contains soot, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, benzene and other toxins. "This toxic stew contributes to a host of health ailments including asthma attacks, painful breathing, cancer and preventable deaths."