CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Air pollution is hurting the performance of North Carolina students in the classroom and in sports, according to a new study.
It turns out a new statewide initiative could help reduce those numbers. Electric buses are coming to North Carolina and it could help keep our kids healthy. Let's connect the dots.
Yale researchers looked at test scores and pollution exposure for every public school student in North Carolina over 17 years. They found the more time a child was exposed to pollution, there was a direct correlation to failing test scores.
And while pollution in the Tar Heel State has improved over the last 20 years, kids are still exposed to a lot of it. The study suggests this is in large part because of cars and buses.
That's where a new state program enters the picture. North Carolina is currently in the process of using more than $25 million to buy 114 electric buses. Of those, 27 will be in Mecklenburg County.
Experts said these buses could significantly reduce kids' exposure to pollution and potentially help their performance in school.
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