Cleaning Up Dirty Generator Exhaust with CleanAIR’s Big Stainless Steel Box

Diesel emergency generators made “greener” using emissions control technology

Santa Fe, NM – February 14, 2008 – In today’s “green” economy, there’s a dirty little secret hiding behind many hospitals, colleges and data storage centers. It’s the diesel emergency generator.

Belching soot, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide, diesel exhaust created by back-up generators is a proven cause of cardiovascular and pulmonary health problems. The National Air Toxics Assessment estimates the cancer risk from exposure to diesel emissions is ten times higher than the combined cancer risk from all other hazardous air pollutants. Diesel emissions also contribute to atmospheric haze, smog, acid rain and global climate change.

Although a necessity when the power grid fails to deliver, industrial diesel generators create an unhealthy situation, particularly when operated next to hospitals and schools. Back-up generators are also a little-known “ungreen” reality of today’s giant data storage facilities.

When sooty generator emissions are clouding the horizon, there is a solution. Turning brown emissions “green” can be done with a big shiny, stainless steel box developed by CleanAIR Systems. When attached to an emergency generator, brown smoke and toxic emissions are almost eliminated.

What’s in this mysterious box that makes emissions disappear? Is it all just smoke and mirrors? Hardly. The answer can be found in multiple self-regenerating diesel particulate filters enclosed in a sleek, stainless steel, ultra-quiet silencer shell manufactured by CleanAIR Systems, a leader in emissions control technology. The CleanAIR PERMIT™ Filter/Silencer system dramatically reduces dirty soot (particulate matter) from generator exhaust by more than 85%. The amount of smelly hydrocarbons and deadly carbon monoxide also plunges by 99%.

How many emergency generators are in use pumping toxic emissions into our atmosphere? Taking into account that the majority of hospitals, colleges and data centers require back-up power to operate in case of a power failure, consider these statistics:
- According to the American Hospital Association, there are over 5,700 registered U.S. hospitals. Critical care facilities rely heavily on back-up generators in the event of a power outage.

- The American Association of Community Colleges lists 1,195 community colleges. Most colleges have at least one emergency generator (and some have several) on campus to keep buildings up and running in case of a blackout.

- AFCOM (Association for Computer Operations Management) counts 3,600 of the world’s largest data storage centers as members, representing every major industry. Back-up generators are a critical element of every data storage facility in order not to loose crucial data when the power goes out.

When other commercial and public facilities such as mining operations, semiconductors, and credit card companies are included in the count, there are an estimated 100,000 industrial standby generators currently operating in the United States alone.

What’s being done to control emissions on thousands of emergency generators? In California, air quality regulations for emergency generators are stringent and well enforced, many times requiring emissions control technology such as CleanAIR’s Filter/Silencer to be installed by the facility, especially if a generator is in operation within the vicinity of a school. But regulations in other parts of the country have more leeway, allowing many emergency generators to be operated without air pollution controls.

With thousands of large, emergency generators spewing harmful air pollution into our environment, maybe it’s time we clean up our dirty little secret.

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About CleanAIR Systems:
CleanAIR Systems is a technology-based corporation manufacturing emissions control systems with worldwide distribution. Our 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/.

Easy Fleet Maintenance with the CleanAIR AeroCLEAN™ for Diesel Particulate Filters

Santa Fe, NM – August 29, 2007 – Today’s diesel fleet managers are challenged by new equipment technology and stringent air quality regulations. Keeping diesel particulate filters clean and in good working order is one of those challenges. The AeroCLEAN™ System developed by emissions control manufacturer, CleanAIR Systems, offers fleet managers a fast, easy and safe solution for filter maintenance.

Over time, self-cleaning diesel particulate filters can build-up a layer of non-combustible ash that requires cleaning of a fleet’s exhaust filters. This routine maintenance allows the filters to function properly, as well as extends the life of the filter. Without the correct equipment and understanding of filter technology, the cleaning process can become a problem. If water or solvents are used to dislodge ash, ceramic filters can be negatively affected. High heat methods can cause thermal shock and may crack or melt filters. CleanAIR’s AeroCLEAN™ extends the life of a filter by using a non-thermal, dry cleaning technique to safely loosen and blow out collected ash in under 15 minutes.

Originally designed for a select market segment using off-road equipment retrofitted with CleanAIR PERMIT™ Filters, the AeroCLEAN™ is capable of safely cleaning filters in-field. The cleaning system requires no electricity and is safe enough to use on a daily basis if frequent cleaning is necessary to keep a fleet’s diesel particulate filters in top shape.

With new on- and off-road regulations looming on the horizon and particulate filters becoming an integral part of emissions control for diesel vehicles such as construction and mining equipment, the AeroCLEAN™ is reaching a wider market looking for a safe, effective way to service fleet vehicles.

The AeroCLEAN™ handles all sizes of CleanAIR PERMIT™ Filters. The enclosed cleaning system uses no heat or electricity, requiring only a compressed air source for its dry cleaning method. Utilizing a rugged, sturdy construction, the AeroCLEAN™ can be taken directly into the field for as-needed cleaning of vehicle filters. The unit’s large containment area allows for repeated maintenance of multiple filters before collected material is removed. With a cleaning cycle of less than 15 minutes, the AeroCLEAN™ is a fast, easy solution for cleaning diesel particulate filters.

For more information on CleanAIR Systems’ AeroCLEAN™, visit www.cleanairsys.com.

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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/.



Tags: diesel particulate filters, diesel particulate matter, diesel emissions, diesel engine emissions, off-road diesel, diesel construction equipment, mining equipment, emissions standards, emissions control technology, emissions control technologies, cleaning diesel particulate filters, cleaning plugged diesel filters, filter cleaning system, fleet maintenance, diesel emissions system, diesel retrofit, self-cleaning diesel particulate filters


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CleanAIR Systems Participates in NY Off-Road Diesel Emissions Testing with the PERMIT™ Diesel Particulate Filter

Santa Fe, NM – August 7, 2007 – CleanAIR Systems, a manufacturer of innovative emissions control solutions, is pleased to announce their PERMIT™ diesel particulate filter technology has been included in the Clean Diesel Technology/Off-Road Field-Testing Program at the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) in Maspeth, Queens, NY. Part of a 3-year project conducted by Southern Research Institute for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the program will establish a universal testing protocol that can be adopted by other state and federal agencies for in-use emissions testing. CleanAIR’s passively regenerating PERMIT™ Filter has been installed on two pieces of off-road diesel construction equipment used primarily for snow removal and loading of road salt onto trucks. In-use emissions reduction testing on the filters is currently underway. The PERMIT™ Filter has proven to be a leader in emissions control technology by reducing pollutants during field testing of diesel particulate matter by greater than 85%, as well as reducing emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons by as much as 99%.

The first round of vehicle retrofits and testing of clean diesel technologies has been completed with ten companies participating in the program. Emissions control technologies being tested include active diesel particulate filters, passive diesel particulate filters, diesel oxidation catalysts, selective catalytic reduction technology, and flow-through particulate filters. The goal of the Clean Diesel Technology Program is to assess and improve diesel engine emissions generated by off-road equipment, produce emissions factors with and without a variety of control technologies, and evaluate the performance of emissions control technologies used within the test via a standard testing protocol developed during the program.

“This is an important initiative to help control air pollution caused by emissions from existing diesel engines,” said Stephen Piccot, director of Environment and Energy Research at Southern Research Institute. “Our collaborative approach will provide important performance, economic, and operational information that will be invaluable in designing future diesel retrofit programs, not to mention developing better air quality policies and equipment usage guidelines.”

CleanAIR technical sales engineer, Ralph Wintersberger explains, “CleanAIR Systems has been working for years with government entities and private industry in California to clean up emissions due to the state’s strict air quality regulations. We’re very encouraged to see New York and other Northeastern states doing the same through programs like this. Our product has been in-use and tested by DSNY for almost a year, cleaning up particulate matter, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide from diesel vehicle emissions. We’ve worked one-on-one with NYCDEP (New York City Department of Environmental Protection) and DSNY to help implement standards for emissions control to bring New York standards closer to emissions standards set by California Air Resources Board (CARB) levels.” Wintersberger continued, “Emissions control technology that is affordable is also a factor in the guidelines being considered by NYCDEP. For CleanAIR Systems, ‘customized products at affordable prices’ is what we do best.”

“Preliminary test results on CleanAIR diesel particulate filters included in the program show greater than 90% reduction on all emissions of particulate matter, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide,” said Southern Research Institute’s Senior Project Leader, William S. Crews. A report will be issued at the conclusion of testing, providing information on all clean diesel emissions control technologies that participated in the program, along with effectiveness as it relates to testing on DSNY’s off-road construction equipment.

(end)

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 www.cleanairsys.com.


Press Release Deconstructed:

Tags: diesel particulate filters, diesel particulate matter, diesel emissions, diesel engine emissions, emission reduction, off-road diesel emissions, diesel construction equipment, clean diesel, diesel vehicle emissions, emissions standards, emissions control technology, emissions control technologies, emissions testing, air quality regulations

The Facts:

• CleanAIR Systems’ PERMIT™ diesel particulate filter technology is included in the Clean Diesel Technology/Off-Road Field-Testing Program at the New York City Department of Sanitation.



• The project conducted by Southern Research Institute for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will establish a universal testing protocol for off-road diesel vehicles that can be adopted by other state and federal agencies for in-use emissions testing.



• The first round of vehicle retrofits and testing has been completed with ten companies, including CleanAIR Systems, participating in the program. Technologies being tested include active diesel particulate filters; passive diesel particulate filters; diesel oxidation catalysts; selective catalytic reduction technology; and flow-through particulate filters.



• The goal of the Clean Diesel Technology Program is to: assess and improve diesel engine emissions generated by off-road equipment, produce emissions factors with and without a variety of control technologies, and evaluate the performance of emissions control technologies used within the test via a standard testing protocol developed during the program.



• Preliminary test results show that CleanAIR diesel particulate filters included in the program have reduced emissions of particulate matter, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide on test vehicles by greater than 90%.

Information Sources:
CleanAIR Systems, PERMIT Filter
NYCDEP
NYSERDA
Southern Research

Quotes:
“This is an important initiative to help control air pollution caused by emissions from existing diesel engines,” said Stephen Piccot, director of Environment and Energy Research at Southern Research Institute. “Our collaborative approach will provide important performance, economic, and operational information that will be invaluable in designing future diesel retrofit programs, not to mention developing better air quality policies and equipment usage guidelines.”

CleanAIR technical sales engineer, Ralph Wintersberger explains, “CleanAIR Systems has been working for years with government entities and private industry in California to clean up emissions due to the state’s strict air quality regulations. We’re very encouraged to see New York and other Northeastern states doing the same through programs like this. Our product has been in-use and tested by DSNY for almost a year, cleaning up particulate matter, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide from diesel vehicle emissions. We’ve worked one-on-one with the NYCDEP (New York City Department of Environmental Protection) and DSNY to help implement standards for emissions control to bring New York standards closer to emissions standards set by California Air Resources Board (CARB) levels.” Wintersberger continued “Emissions control technology that is affordable is also a factor in the guidelines being considered by NYCDEP. For CleanAIR Systems, ‘customized products at affordable prices’ is what we do best.”

“Preliminary test results on CleanAIR diesel particulate filters included in the program show greater than 90% reduction on all emissions of particulate matter, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide,” said Southern Research Institute’s Senior Project Leader, William S. Crews.

Extras:

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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.

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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

CleanAIR Systems, Inc. to Retrofit School Buses and Fire Trucks with Emission Control Devices in Spokane, Washington

Santa Fe, NM- January 10, 2003 - CleanAIR Systems, Inc. was awarded a contract to retrofit 58 school buses and 27 fire trucks with its ASSURE™ diesel oxidation converter (DOC) in Spokane, Washington. CleanAIR's ASSURE™ DOC reduces diesel particulate matter by 25 percent and carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon by up to 90 percent. The project is funded by Avista Corp., a Spokane-based energy company. Seattle-based Western Peterbilt, Inc. will perform the installation of the replacement mufflers.

"CleanAIR Systems' participation in this project will benefit many people in Spokane in significant ways," said CleanAIR Systems President Michael Roach. "Retrofitting 85 school buses and fire trucks with our ASSURE™ DOC will not only help improve the air quality in the city, it will also protect school children, firefighters, emergency department personnel and patients from being exposed to increased levels of diesel emissions."

Most school buses and emergency vehicles are diesel-powered due to the fact that they are more fuel-efficient than gas-powered vehicles. However, diesel-powered vehicles emit 50 to 80 times more particulate. CleanAIR Systems provides a solution to this problem, offering a variety of emissions reductions systems for all diesel engines.

Several studies have found that children's exposure to diesel emissions when riding school buses can be as much as 16 times higher than the ambient exposure levels. Similarly, a study of firehouses in major cities found that firefighters are exposed to increased levels of particulates from diesel emissions while in the firehouse.

According to the American Lung Association of Washington, reducing toxic emissions from diesel engines will provide many benefits, including a reduction in lost school days for children and work days for parents and asthmatics, a decrease in hospital visits due to respiratory ailments, and a reduced cancer risk for the population.

Spokane is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a serious nonattainment area for carbon monoxide and a moderate nonattainment area for fine particulate. With work on an air quality maintenance plan that will show how Spokane will stay in attainment in the long term, along with the required two clean years back-to-back, the city hopes to complete the process of being redesignated from nonattainment to attainment status for carbon monoxide.

CleanAIR Systems, Inc. Awarded Contract to Retrofit School Buses with Emission Control Systems in Puget Sound

Project will reduce emissions of harmful diesel particulates by more than 90 percent

Santa Fe, NM – November 28, 2001 - CleanAIR Systems, Inc. recently was awarded a contract with the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to retrofit school buses with diesel particulate filters and oxidation converters in Everett, Wash. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is funding the Everett Clean Diesel School Bus Retrofit Project, the first voluntary initiative under the agency’s Diesel Solutions Program, through a grant received from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is among the first EPA-funded, on-road retrofit projects to be executed.

“We are proud to participate in this project to help the community of Puget Sound improve its air quality,” said CleanAIR Systems President Michael Roach. “By the end of this year, hundreds of Everett school children will be riding to school on some of the cleanest buses in the world.”

CleanAIR Systems was selected from among other major manufacturers of emission control systems to supply products for this pilot program. The company will equip some of the school buses with its PERMIT™ filter, and others with its ASSURE™ converter. The PERMIT™ filter reduces particulate emissions by 85 percent, and carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons by more than 90 percent. The ASSURE™ converter reduces carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons by more than 90 percent, and particulates by 10 to 50 percent. In addition, the buses will be fueled with ultra-low-sulfur fuel. CleanAIR Systems is working with Durham School Services, owner of the bus fleet and the third largest student transportation contractor in the nation, to retrofit the buses by the end of 2001.

“The Everett Clean Diesel School Bus Retrofit Project is very important to us because it will demonstrate how a school bus fleet in our region can be made dramatically cleaner through the use of cleaner fuels and advanced technology retrofit devices,” said Dennis McLerran, executive director of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. “We are very excited about being able to demonstrate to school districts that these fuels and retrofit devices can make a big difference in how clean their fleets are. There is a growing understanding that diesel exhaust is a health hazard, especially to children, and this project will give very real benefits immediately to the school kids who ride on and play near these buses.”

As part of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s Diesel Solutions Program, the Everett Clean Diesel School Bus Retrofit Project is the first of seven projects to be carried out. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, which serves King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties in Washington, launched its Diesel Solutions program this year to make diesel vehicles in the region dramatically cleaner. The Diesel Solutions Program aims to reduce particulate emissions by 436 tons per year over the next five years. According to the agency, this would reduce 1,505 cases of respiratory symptoms in asthmatic children annually, and prevent 30 to 34 premature deaths each year.

Until this year, parts of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s four-county region had been on the EPA’s nonattainment list because levels of carbon monoxide, ozone and particulate matter persistently exceeded the national ambient air quality standards. The EPA has established maximum concentrations for these priority pollutants, above which adverse health effects may occur. Although no longer classified as nonattainment, the area is now close to exceeding limits for particulate matter and ozone.