Diesel School Bus Becomes First to Receive Pollution Control Retrofit in Puerto Rico

Improving Air Quality for School Children

Santa Fe, NM – May 30, 2007 – Exhaust from diesel school buses can be dangerous to the health of children. Puerto Rico has decided it’s time to do something about it.

In May, the country unveiled its first school bus retrofitted with emissions control technology to reduce toxic diesel emissions and improve air quality for Puerto Rican school children.

According to an article published in the journal Population Research and Policy Review, “Puerto Rican children are more likely to have asthma than children in any other racial/ethnic group in the United States.” As noted in a study conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health, and the Coalition for Clean Air, riding a diesel school bus may increase the risk of cancer and aggravate respiratory problems in children. Recently E/The Environmental Magazine reported diesel emissions are classified by the EPA as a “likely carcinogen”, with dangers of breathing diesel exhaust ranging from respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis to lung cancer and heart disease. In Puerto Rico, this health threat is especially true for children already impacted by asthma.

The retrofitted diesel school bus was presented during a ceremony in San Juan at the Polytechnic University on May 11th. Alan J. Steinberg, Regional Administrator of the EPA, discussed the benefits of providing air pollution control equipment for aging vehicles. “Pollution from school buses has health implications for everyone, especially asthmatic children. By developing local capacity and promoting the Clean School Bus program in Puerto Rico, where more kids suffer from asthma than anywhere else in the U.S., we are progressively reducing diesel pollution to make that familiar black puff of smoke a relic of the past.”

Air pollution control products and services to retrofit the bus were provided by emissions control manufacturer, CleanAIR Systems, Inc., working in conjunction with emissions reduction consultant, Emisstar. The retrofitted bus is the start of a national initiative aimed at cleaning up school buses throughout the country as a joint effort between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Puerto Rico Clean School Bus USA Workgroup.

Launched in 2003 by the EPA, Clean School Bus USA is a voluntary partnership with the goal of reducing children’s exposure to diesel exhaust through the reduction of unnecessary bus idling, providing funding to retrofit buses with emissions control technology, and replacing older buses with less-polluting models. The majority of Puerto Rican school buses were built prior to 2004. They generate a significant amount of pollutants such as fine particulate matter and can release up to six times more pollution than buses built after 2004. CleanAIR Systems provided the program with an ASSURE DOC (diesel oxidation converter) which will cut school bus emissions of particulate matter by at least 20%, hydrocarbons by 50% and carbon monoxide by at least 60%. The CleanAIR ASSURE DOC can be used with either diesel or biodiesel fuels.

“We’re glad we were able to make a difference in Puerto Rico when it came to cleaning up their school buses,” said Ralph Wintersberger, CleanAIR Sales Engineer. “Emisstar brought this to our attention and jointly our two companies worked with the EPA to get this program off the ground.”

“Emisstar is pleased to lend our expertise to this exciting and important first step in improving the health and well-being of school children in Puerto Rico,” added Glenn Goldstein, Emisstar Principal.

Puerto Rico has also joined the Northeast Diesel Collaborative, allowing it to compete for future EPA grant money in order to purchase air pollution control equipment to retrofit the rest of their bus fleet.

About CleanAIR Systems:
CleanAIR Systems is a technology-based corporation manufacturing emissions control systems with worldwide distribution. Their products are designed to control air pollution such as diesel particulate matter and NOx, for on- and off-road vehicles, as well as stationary machinery and power generation. Visit CleanAIR Systems online at http://www.cleanairsys.com/.


Extras --
The Facts:
The majority of school buses in Puerto Rico are older models which produce six times more pollution than buses manufactured after 2004, creating an unhealthy atmosphere for Puerto Rican school children and contributing to an already high rate of asthma.

Retrofitting their first diesel school bus with emissions control technology supplied pro bono by CleanAIR Systems, Inc., Puerto Rico works with the EPA to establish the Puerto Rico Clean School Bus USA Workgroup.

Information Sources:
Population Research and Policy Review 2005:
Premature Birth and Asthma Among Young Puerto Rican Children
by Bridget K. Gorman and Nancy S. Landale

Environmental Health Perspectives - August 2002
Bad Grades for School Buses – Children’s Health
By Angela Spivey

Emagazine.com – The Environmental Magazine
May 20, 2007
Are my kids breathing in dangerous exhaust fumes by riding the school bus?

Quotes:
“We’re glad we were able to make a difference in Puerto Rico when it came to cleaning up their school buses,” said Ralph Wintersberger, CleanAIR Sales Engineer. “Emisstar brought this to our attention and jointly our two companies worked with the EPA to get this program off the ground.”

“Emisstar is pleased to lend our expertise to this exciting and important first step in improving the health and well-being of school children in Puerto Rico,” added Glenn Goldstein, Emisstar Principal.

View press release as PDF

Find High Resolution Photos for this press release

Use a CleanAIR Logo

See a Slide Show with examples of the ASSURE DOC

View a Video

Contact us: mailto:louise@cleanairsys.com

Cleaning Up Emissions

Santa Fe, NM – May 15, 2007 – CleanAIR Systems, a leading manufacturer of air pollution control products, has launched the PERMIT Filter/Silencer as a new addition to their line of diesel particulate filters. The Filter/Silencer is designed to eliminate black smoke, diesel odor and reduce noise from prime power and emergency generators. Facilities and companies with generators are already familiar with silencers installed to lessen engine noise. In today’s green economy, silencer products need to do more. With the enforcement of stringent pollution regulations, generator owners also need emissions control technology along with sound reduction to meet demanding air quality laws. Using CleanAIR PERMIT Filters, which are verified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to meet the strictest air pollution laws in the United States, the PERMIT Filter/Silencer meets both requirements.

In the United States alone, there are an estimated 100,000 industrial standby generators. The majority have no emissions control technology installed on them. Most are used on a limited basis by commercial and public facilities such as colleges, critical care facilities and data storage centers in case of an emergency. These generators are run periodically for routine testing and maintenance. But some facilities also use their generators as prime power to minimize peak power loads on the electrical grid. During operation diesel generators emit a variety of pollutants such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons – all of which can cause serious health issues, especially for children and older adults. Due to our need for energy, generators and the air pollution they produce have become a part of every community.

Recent reports by the Clean Air Task Force, Environmental Health Perspectives and The Coalition for Clean Air all detail the dangers of fine particulate matter (PM) pollution. The health impact of particulate air pollution ranges from asthma attacks and lung cancer to cardiac problems and decreased life expectancy. The World Health Organization estimates that thousands of deaths each year may be caused by exposure to PM. And the American Lung Association believes fine air-borne particulate represents our most serious health threat. Not only is particulate matter a global environmental hazard, but also a dangerous health problem.

With this in mind, CleanAIR Systems designed the PERMIT Filter/Silencer to be installed on the exhaust of a generator, eliminating visible black smoke, toxic diesel odor and noise while the engine is running. Available for all stationary engine sizes, emissions of particulate matter are substantially reduced by more than 85% and emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons by up to 99%.

“All kinds of facilities use our PERMIT Filter/Silencer to reduce pollution and help with sound. We work with schools, hospitals, power plants and just about anyone who has a generator,” explained CleanAIR Sales Engineer, Daniel Serrano. “Many times space can be an issue. That’s why we combined our diesel particulate filters with a silencer. Now the customer purchases just one unit instead of two separate products that take up a lot of space. Our PERMIT Filter/Silencer does the job of both by eliminating emissions while at the same time providing sound reduction. It also reduces the overall cost.”

The PERMIT Filter/Silencer is custom designed to fit each job. Its stainless steel construction is corrosion-resistant; thereby extending the life of the product. By using more durable, light-weight stainless steel, the Filter/Silencer offers a 50% total weight reduction over average silencer-only products, allowing for easier installation and shipping. Each PERMIT Filter/Silencer is also fully insulated to reduce heat loss and provide sound reduction.

“We looked at silencer designs already on the market and knew we could design a better, more efficient product that also incorporated our CARB verified PERMIT Filters to reduce air pollution,” concluded Michael Roach, President of CleanAIR Systems. “It was a real group effort with our engineering, manufacturing and technical sales staff all offering input as to what our customers needed. We designed a premium pollution control product that all facilities from schools and hospitals to power generation plants can afford to install for better emissions control.”

Although we have come to rely on diesel generators for essential backup power, as in the case of school, emergency facilities and hospitals, they can also be cleaned up with readily available emissions control technology. Diesel particulate matter and other pollutants are eliminated when a generator is retrofitted with a CleanAIR PERMIT Filter/Silencer, helping to decrease the impact of diesel air pollution on our health and the environment.

For more information on the CleanAIR PERMIT Filter/Silencer visit http://www.cleanairsys.com/products/filters/index.htm

About CleanAIR Systems:
CleanAIR Systems is a technology-based corporation manufacturing emissions control systems with worldwide distribution. Their products are designed to control air pollution such as particulate matter and NOx, for on- and off-road vehicles, as well as stationary machinery and power generation. Visit CleanAIR Systems online at http://www.cleanairsys.com/.


Extras:
The Facts:
-- CleanAIR Systems introduces the PERMIT Filter/Silencer, an air pollution control product for generators, to substantially reduce emissions of dangerous particulate matter by greater than 85%, and carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons by up to 99%., as well as reduce noise levels.

-- Particulate matter is considered a global environmental hazard and a dangerous health problem. There are an estimated 100,000 industrial emergency and prime power generators in use in the United States. The majority have no emissions control technology installed on them.

-- The PERMIT Filter/Silencer can be installed by any facility with a generator to eliminate black smoke, diesel odor and reduce sound. Examples: schools and college campuses, waste water treatment centers, hospital and critical care facilities, emergency shelters, data storage centers, manufacturing facilities, private companies, municipal buildings, correctional facilities, mining operations, farm operations using pumping equipment, and power generation facilities.

-- The CleanAIR Filter/Silencer combines the benefits of a silencer for sound reduction and the benefits of diesel particulate filters for emissions control, into one space-saving unit. Containing CARB verified PERMIT filters, the CleanAIR Filter/Silencer has all-stainless steel construction and is fully insulated for sound attenuation. Available for all engines sizes, the custom-designed PERMIT Filter/Silencer is rust resistant, light weight, and easy to install.

Quotes:
“All kinds of facilities use our PERMIT Filter/Silencer to reduce pollution and help with sound. We work with schools, hospitals, power plants and just about anyone who has a generator,” explained CleanAIR Sales Engineer, Daniel Serrano. “Many times space can be an issue. That’s why we combined our diesel particulate filters with a silencer. Now the customer purchases just one unit instead of two separate products that take up a lot of space. Our PERMIT Filter/Silencer does the job of both by eliminating emissions while at the same time providing sound reduction. It also reduces the overall cost.”

“We looked at silencer designs already on the market and knew we could design a better, more efficient product that also incorporated our CARB verified PERMIT Filters to reduce air pollution,” concluded Michael Roach, President of CleanAIR Systems. “It was a real group effort with our engineering, manufacturing and technical sales staff all offering input as to what our customers needed. We designed a premium pollution control product that all facilities from schools and hospitals to power generation plants can afford to install for better emissions control.”

Find High Resolution Photos for this press release

Use a CleanAIR Logo

See a Slide Show with examples of the PERMIT Filter/Silencer

View a Video to see how the PERMIT Filter/Silencer works on a generator

Contact us: mailto:louise@cleanairsys.com

Cleaning Up Emissions with New CleanAIR Filter/Silencer

Santa Fe, NM – May 14, 2007 – Leading emissions control manufacturer, CleanAIR Systems introduces a new addition to their line of diesel particulate filter products, the PERMIT Filter/Silencer, designed to reduce exhaust emissions from prime power and emergency generators. Facilities using gensets for power generation are already familiar with silencers installed to lessen engine noise. With the enforcement of stringent pollution regulations, generator owners also need emissions control technology along with sound attenuation to meet demanding air quality laws. The PERMIT Filter/Silencer incorporating CleanAIR’s CARB verified PERMIT Filter, meets both requirements.

Available for all stationary engine sizes, CleanAIR’s PERMIT Filter/Silencer is installed on the exhaust of a generator, eliminating visible black smoke, diesel odor and noise while the engine is running. Emissions of particulate matter are substantially reduced by more than 85% and emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons by up to 99%.

“Keeping our customer in mind, we designed our PERMIT Filter/Silencer specifically to fit facilities that need to reduce emissions and sound,” explained CleanAIR Sales Engineer, Daniel Serrano. “By combining our diesel particulate filters with a silencer, the customer no longer needs two separate units that take up a lot of space. Our PERMIT Filter/Silencer does the job of both by eliminating emissions while at the same time providing sound reduction. It also reduces the overall cost.”

Manufactured using 304 stainless steel, the PERMIT Filter/Silencer is custom designed to fit each application. Utilizing CleanAIR’s integrated approach, the product is entirely designed and manufactured in-house, including: product design; flow, stress and sound modeling; filter catalyzation; and custom fabrication of the silencer shell. Each PERMIT Filter/Silencer is fully insulated to reduce heat loss and provide sound attenuation.

The stainless steel silencer is corrosion-resistant, thereby extending the life of the product. Using stainless steel also reduces the product’s total weight by up to 50% over silencers currently on the market constructed of mild steel, allowing for easier installation.

“We looked at silencer designs already on the market and knew we could design a better, more efficient product that also incorporated our CARB verified PERMIT Filters,” concluded Michael Roach, President of CleanAIR Systems. “It was a real group effort with our engineering, manufacturing and technical sales staff all offering input as to what our customers wanted in an emissions control product. Our team designed a premium product using stainless steel construction, incorporating our PERMIT Filters and still maintained a comparable price advantage. In this way all facilities from schools and hospitals to power generation plants can afford to install a better emissions control product.”

For more information on the CleanAIR PERMIT Filter/Silencer visit http://www.cleanairsys.com/products/filters/index.htm

About CleanAIR Systems:
CleanAIR Systems is a technology-based corporation manufacturing emissions control systems with worldwide distribution. Their products are designed to control air pollution such as particulate matter and NOx, for on- and off-road vehicles, as well as stationary machinery and power generation. Visit CleanAIR Systems online at http://www.cleanairsys.com/.


Extras:
Tags:
diesel particulate matter, diesel emissions, emergency generator, prime power generator, CARB verified, emissions control technology, genset

The Facts:
-- CleanAIR Systems introduces the PERMIT Filter/Silencer for prime power and emergency diesel generators, to substantially reduce emissions of particulate matter by greater than 85%, and carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons by up to 99%.

-- Containing CARB verified PERMIT filters, the CleanAIR Filter/Silencer has all-stainless steel construction and is fully insulated for sound attenuation.

-- The CleanAIR Filter/Silencer combines the benefits of a silencer for sound reduction and the benefits of diesel particulate filters for emissions control into one space-saving unit.

-- Available for all engines sizes, the custom-designed PERMIT Filter/Silencer is rust resistant, light weight, easy to install and comparable in price to similar products made of less durable mild steel.

Quotes:
“Keeping our customer in mind, we designed our PERMIT Filter/Silencer specifically to fit facilities that need to reduce emissions and sound,” explained CleanAIR Sales Engineer, Daniel Serrano. “By combining our diesel particulate filters with a silencer, the customer no longer needs two separate units that take up a lot of space. Our PERMIT Filter/Silencer does the job of both by eliminating emissions while at the same time providing sound reduction. It also reduces the overall cost.”

“We looked at silencer designs already on the market and knew we could design a better, more efficient product that also incorporated our CARB verified PERMIT Filters,” concluded Michael Roach, President of CleanAIR Systems. “It was a real group effort with our engineering, manufacturing and technical sales staff all offering input as to what our customers wanted in an emissions control product. Our team designed a premium product using stainless steel construction, incorporating our PERMIT Filters and still maintained a comparable price advantage. In this way all facilities from schools and hospitals to power generation plants can afford to install a better emissions control product.”

Find High Resolution Photos for this press release

View press release as PDF

Use a CleanAIR Logo

See a Slide Show with examples of the PERMIT Filter/Silencer

View a Video to see how the PERMIT Filter/Silencer works on a generator

Contact us: mailto:louise@cleanairsys.com

Announcement: CleanAIR Receives Technology Transfer Award from LANL

Santa Fe, NM – May 14, 2007 – CleanAIR Systems, Inc. received the 2006 Technology Transfer Regional Impact Award from Los Alamos National Laboratories (LANL) on May 10th, honoring organizations with a connection to LANL that have made a significant contribution to the economy of Northern New Mexico. Nominees for the award demonstrated an economic impact on the state through the creation of new jobs, new products or implementation of a unique resource for entrepreneurs.

CleanAIR Systems was awarded the recognition of being the first company to receive the Technology Transfer Award, having shown “strong regional as well as national impact” in execution and real-world development of a clean energy technology invented by LANL.

In addition to making a contribution to the New Mexican economy, LANL looked for nominees who reflected the spirit of entrepreneurship through personal risk taking, strong personal commitment, ingenuity, as well as being a role model for regional innovation.

Photo:
Michael Tripodi, CleanAIR Engineer Manager; Kevin Ott, LANL; Joe Vick, CleanAIR Chemist (photo courtesy of LANL)

New Mexico Tops List for Cleanest Cities in the U.S.A.

The Facts:

• The American Lung Association ranks three New Mexico cities in the top ten cleanest cities for long-term particle pollution in their annual State of the Air Report 2007.
  
• The cities are: Santa Fe - #2, Farmington - #5, Albuquerque - #10.
  
• The study looked at various factors such as ozone pollution and soot levels in ranking US cities as having high levels of air pollution (top 25 most polluted cities) or low levels of air pollution (top 25 cleanest cities).
  
• New Mexico also ranked high in the Top 25 Cleanest Counties for Long-Term Particle Pollution. The counties chosen were: Santa Fe - #6, Grant - #15, and San Juan - #19.
  
• Santa Fe, New Mexico is also home to CleanAIR Systems, one of the country’s top companies for emissions controls technology, specializing in controlling emissions of particulate matter (soot) and NOx, (which contributes to ozone pollution and smog.)

Quotes:

• “Having fourteen years of experience in the field of air pollution control, CleanAIR Systems is thrilled that our home state ranked so high with three of the top ten spots for cleanest cities. We chose Santa Fe for our business because it is clean and environmentally aware.”
  Michael Roach, President CleanAIR Systems
  
• “We sell our products all of over the world, trying to make a better environment. It would be great if everyone could have the air quality we have here in New Mexico.”
  Tom Mosley, CleanAIR Customer Service Representative

Release:

Santa Fe, NM – May 3, 2007 – The American Lung Association released its annual “State of the Air 2007” report on May 1st. Included in the analysis were three New Mexican metropolitan areas, ranking at the top of the list for cleanest cities in the U.S.A. CleanAIR Systems, a Santa Fe manufacturer of air pollution control technology, immediately took note of the news as an opportunity to congratulate its home state on an environmental job well done.

CleanAIR’s field of expertise is in reducing particle pollution from vehicles and stationary machinery. They have also entered the market of selective catalytic reduction for NOx emissions. NOx is a contributing pollutant to ground-level ozone and smog. As both pollutants are the basis of the American Lung Association’s annual report, CleanAIR takes special interest each year in the results.

The study looked at various factors such as ozone pollution and soot levels in deciding which US cities have the highest and lowest levels of air pollution. Santa Fe-Espanola came in at number two under the Top 25 Cleanest U.S. Cities for Long-Term Particle Pollution. Farmington was 5th and Albuquerque was tenth on the list. Los Angeles came in at number one on three different lists as the dirtiest city.

“Having fourteen years of experience in the field of air pollution control, CleanAIR Systems is thrilled that our home state ranked so high, having three of the top ten spots for cleanest cities. We chose Santa Fe for our business because it is clean and environmentally aware,” explained Michael Roach, President of CleanAIR Systems.

New Mexico also ranked high on the list for the Top 25 Cleanest U.S. Counties for Long-Term Particle Pollution. The counties chosen were: Santa Fe County at #6, Grant County at #15, and San Juan County made the list at #19.

“We sell our products all of over the world, trying to make a better environment. It would be great if everyone could have the air quality we have here in New Mexico,” added CleanAIR Customer Service Representative, Tom Mosley.

About CleanAIR Systems:
CleanAIR Systems is a technology-based corporation manufacturing emissions control systems with worldwide distribution. Their products are designed to control air pollution such as particulate matter and NOx, for on- and off-road vehicles, as well as stationary machinery and power generation. Visit CleanAIR Systems online at http://www.cleanairsys.com/.

Extras --

• Source Information:
  American Lung Association State of the Air 2007
  Air Quality Press Relesase
  
• View press release as PDF
  
• Find High Resolution Photos from CleanAIR
  
• Use a CleanAIR Logo
  
• See a Slide Show
  
• View a Video

Contact us: mailto:louise@cleanairsys.com