Clean School Bus USA a Cog in
EPA's Wheel for Healthier Schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 3, 2006) - The U.S. EPA included its Clean School Bus initiative in a list of eight programs designed to make school environments healthier.

The month of October is set aside each year for agencies and organizations that work to protect children's health to make a special effort to inform the general public as well as school officials on beneficial federal programs. The goal of Clean School Bus USA is to reduce both children's exposure to diesel exhaust and the amount of air pollution created by diesel school buses.

The EPA recommendations also include Tools for Schools Kit, a plan of action for schools to take to cost effectively improve indoor pollution; the Healthy School Environment Assessment Tool, or HealthySEAT, a software program designed to help schools monitor all of its environmental health and safety issues; Toxic-Free Schools for classroom and science lab chemicals; asthma information and related pest management control programs; lead poisoning program; and the Environmental Kids Club Web site with games, science, math, and art activities.