[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Director Owens Announces Effort to Reduce Diesel Emissions in Nogales Area

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Director Owens Announces Effort to Reduce Diesel Emissions in
Nogales Area

PHOENIX (Aug. 13, 2008) - Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Director Steve Owens announced today that ADEQ is launching a new
initiative to reduce diesel emissions in the Nogales area on the
Arizona-Mexico border. 

The $100,000 project, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, will equip about 30 diesel trucks that cross the border several
times a day with devices to reduce particulate matter air pollution from
diesel emissions by 20 to 30 percent. The devices will be installed free
of charge to the owner. ADEQ is seeking to retrofit trucks which are
expected to be on the highways for the next several years. 

"This project will enhance ADEQ's continuing efforts in the Nogales area
to improve air quality and protect our children and families from
exposure to harmful diesel emissions," Director Owens said. "We strongly
encourage fleet owners to participate in this important effort." 

Diesel emissions contain microscopic particulate matter consisting of
both "fine" and "coarse" particles sized between 2.5 and 10 micrometers
in diameter, also known as PM2.5 and PM10.  A human hair is roughly 70
micrometers in diameter. The air in Nogales is especially affected by
particulate pollution because the city is in a valley where airborne
contaminants many times become trapped in an inversion layer.

ADEQ's Office of Border Environmental Protection in Tucson will identify
the trucks that will benefit most from the program. The program is being
promoted by the Greater Nogales/Santa Cruz County Port Authority and the
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas. 

In addition, fleet owners in the Nogales area are invited to contact
ADEQ's Office of Border Environmental Protection in Tucson at (520)
628-6733 or toll free at (888) 271-9206 for additional information.

Diesel emissions include hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides,
ozone and ozone precursors, and particulates and have been linked to
respiratory and other health problems and can trigger asthma attacks in
children. 

Director Owens added that this new effort will complement other ADEQ
programs to reduce diesel emissions, including ADEQ's program to reduce
school bus idling. 

-30-

News media interested in additional information on this or any other
topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should
contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at
communications@azdeq.gov.

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