Tens of thousands of California schoolchildren ride aging school buses that emit harmful pollutants, an analysis of state data shows.
Unlike many states, California does not require bus owners to take buses off the road after a set number of years. As a result, California has some of the oldest buses in the nation.
The emissions from older school buses are harmful to both children and air quality for the broader community.
Children riding in conventional diesel school buses are exposed to more air pollution than those riding in cleaner natural gas or low emission diesel buses, according to a 2003 study conducted by the California Air Resources Board.