| Success
Story Number |
9 |
| Location |
Philadelphia, PA |
| Fleet
Makeup |
1 double-decker bus |
| PDD
Recognition Status |
Platinum
(awarded April 15, 2006) |
| Clean
Diesel Project Category |
AFTER-TREATMENT
RETROFIT DEVICE |
| Project
Description |
One double-decker bus retrofitted with diesel oxidation catalyst - Lubrizol Purifier Catalyst. The catalyst is verified for 20% particulate reduction and 50% reduction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). |
| Background |
Asthma BUSters is a group devoted to educating children and their families about the dangers of Asthma and how to prevent risk and manage symptoms. The bus itself is a Bristol (British-style) double-decker bus which has been converted to a mobile classroom. The lower deck is used to survey children using a culturally-sensitive video presentation, in an attempt to diagnose in a non-clinical way whether each child has (or is at risk for) Asthma. The upper deck provides another venue for the Asthma BUS staff to speak to children-6th graders are specifically targeted-about how to prevent and treat Asthma and Asthma attacks. About 25% of children surveyed by the Asthma BUS staff are ascertained as likely Asthma sufferers. Although 20% of those are false positives, they are all given a copy of the educational video to show their parents and information on treatment options, in the hopes that those families will obtain medical care for their child. Asthma BUS staffers coordinate with school nurses in an effort to follow up on children at high risk for Asthma complications. Instructors also discuss smoking with children, and help to connect families in need with low-cost or no-cost care opportunities. Ultimately, the goal of Asthma BUSters is to prevent illness and death, reduce missed school days, and raise awareness about Asthma-related public health problems such as air pollution. The Asthma BUS was retrofitted to help contribute to improved health outcomes for students as well as Asthma BUSters employees, and to set an example for other nonprofit organizations. |
| Update |
The Asthma BUSters were awarded Platinum Status at the Clean Air 5K
Run on April 16, 2006. AsthmaBUSters Project Coordinator Colin Cleary
- "Given the work of AsthmaBUSters, I thought it was important
that our bus reduce its own pollution," said Colin Cleary.
"I'm glad we were able to make this happen."
|
| Contact |
Colin Cleary, AsthmaBUSters Project Coordinator |
| Web
Link |
Asthma BUSters |
| More
Information |
|
