Filters on Ore. firetrucks will cut soot, fumes

The Oregonian

CANBY, Ore. — Firefighters in Canby should be able to breathe easier now that the Canby Fire District's emergency vehicles have been fitted with exhaust filters designed to reduce diesel fumes.

Firetrucks spew out huge volumes of cancer-causing diesel soot, especially when they're starting up, Division Chief Troy Buzalsky said. The soot floods the parking garage and clings to and degrades the clothing firefighters wear to protect themselves from flames.

Last year, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration found that the fan system used in Canby to reduce fumes was ineffective and that the levels of diesel fumes at Canby fire stations were too high, Buzalsky said.

A federal grant is paying $78,000 for the filters, which were being fitted onto nine firetrucks last week.

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