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I am writing to express my deep concern about the negative health
impacts of diesel pollution from trucks and buses and I urge the
California Air Resources Board to adopt the strongest regulation
possible to clean up the top sources of diesel particulate matter
in California.  In my community that includes the agriculture
trucks that surround our schools and homes.

California has the worst air quality in the nation. Trucks and
buses are a major contributor to the particulate matter and ozone
pollution that causes serious health consequences. In the Central
Valley, where my asthmatic children live, 12,000 vehicles drive my
by home every hour.  At least 50% of those vehicles are trucks and
buses. Pollution from trucks and buses result in an estimated 4,500
premature deaths and 71,000 cases of asthma and lower respiratory
symptoms each year. Equally important, truck drivers are 1.5 to 2
times as likely as workers not exposed to diesel exhaust to develop
lung cancer during their lives.  As a respiratory therapist and
concerned parent, I see too many people suffer for the damaging
effects of diesel truck emissions.

To protect the health of all Californians, I urge the California
Air Resources Board to adopt the strongest possible diesel truck
regulations.