JAY – School Committee members held an initial reading of a proposed policy that would limit school-bus idling.

The policy applies to the operation of every diesel-powered bus owned and operated by the Jay School Department.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency claims that exposure to diesel and exhaust fumes, even at low levels, is a serious health hazard and can cause respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis, the policy states.

Diesel emissions are well-documented asthma triggers and may increase the severity of asthma attacks, it reads. Asthma is the No. 1 cause of missed school days for American children and asthma affects more than one in nine children in New England, it reads.

Besides that, idling buses waste fuel and financial resources, according to the policy.

Staff will be required to attend a training session on no idling and will need to sign a form that states they have been trained and will adhere to the policy.

Under the guidelines, school bus drivers will shut off bus engines immediately upon reaching their destination, and buses will not idle while waiting for passengers. The rules apply to all bus use.

Buses will not be restarted until they are ready to depart their location.

School bus drivers will also be required to limit idling time during early morning warm-up to manufacturer’s recommendations – generally three to five minutes in all but the coldest weather and for the pre-trip safety inspections.

A chart indicates that buses can idle at temperatures above 20 degrees for five minutes maximum; between 10 and 20 degrees, 15 minutes, and below 10 degrees as necessary.

“I do like the idea buses not idling,” elementary school Principal Chris Hollingsworth told School Committee members on Feb. 5. “We can notice the difference.”