EPA Awards Grant to Reduce Respiratory Hazards from Diesel Emissions in Puerto Rico

Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $1.4 million Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant to the University of Puerto Rico – Medical Sciences Campus. The grant provides funding to replace a number of old heavy duty drayage trucks. The university is also developing seminars and resources for diesel vehicle owners and the general public in Puerto Rico to raise awareness about the harmful environmental impacts of diesel emissions.
 
It has been estimated that this grant will reduce particulate matter (PM) emissions by 3.2 tons and nitrogen oxide emissions by 43.3 tons for the lifetime of the vehicles. This is the fourth DERA grant that EPA has awarded to the University of Puerto Rico – Medical Sciences Campus.  In total, the agency has awarded close to $5 million for the replacement of 57 trucks and the retrofitting of 58 trucks, resulting in an estimated total PM emissions reduction of 40.7 tons and a total nitrogen oxide emissions reduction of 500.1 tons.
 
“Exposure to diesel exhaust is a concern due to its complex mixture of various gases and fine particles that contain more than 40 toxic compounds according to the EPA,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “The gases include hydrocarbons and oxides of carbon, sulfur and nitrogen. The particles mainly consist of organic carbon compounds adsorbed onto cores of microscopic elemental carbon. More than 95% of these particles are less than 1 micrometer in size and are respirable. Due to their tiny size, diesel exhaust PM can be inhaled deeply into the lungs and even into the bloodstream. Short-term exposure to high concentrations of diesel PM and exhaust can cause headaches, dizziness and irritation of the eyes, nose and throat severe enough to distract or disable workers. Prolonged exposure can increase the risk of cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary and respiratory diseases, as well as lung cancer.”
 
The environmental and industrial hygiene professionals at Zimmetry Environmental provide testing, monitoring and consulting services to help protect workers and the public from airborne hazards such as diesel exhaust, PM and other chemical and microbial hazards across Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. They have even sponsored an educational video about diesel exhaust, PM and air quality issues that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/mAjDvBwKFWE
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental and compliance services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

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