Subscribe now

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Air pollution is damaging US school kids

(Image: David McNew/Getty)

THE buses that take our children to school should be safe places. But according to John Wargo, a professor of environmental risk analysis and policy at Yale University, they are polluted by diesel exhausts.

Riding the buses with monitors, Wargo and his colleagues discovered that children were at “significant risk” from tiny particles of half-burnt diesel fuel sucked in through doors at bus stops or belched out by the bus in front. At its worst, when lines of idling buses dropped off and picked up students at schools, the pollution…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

More from New Scientist

Explore the latest news, articles and features

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop