Category Archives: Air Quality

Forest fires hit Indonesia, as scientists warn blazes are ‘new normal’

Forest fires are once again sweeping across Indonesia, with academics warning that the blazes, which have become an annual event since the mid-1990s, have become the “new normal”. So far five Indonesian provinces have declared emergencies as result of forest fires, according … Continue reading

Posted in Air Quality, Asia | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Portland air quality remains unhealthy, but some relief may come Friday 

Portland’s air quality rating remains unhealthy on Friday, although some relief may come later in the day. The thick haze from wildfires in British Columbia has blanketed the Portland area this week amid record heat. KGW chief meteorologist Matt Zaffino says westerly winds … Continue reading

Posted in Air Quality, USA & Canada | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Pierce County burn ban for smoky air includes barbecues, campfires 

Diminished air quality prompted the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to ban all outdoor burning in the region Wednesday. The state 1 burn ban went into effect at 4 p.m. for Pierce, King, Snohomish and Kitsap counties because smoke from British … Continue reading

Posted in Air Quality, USA & Canada | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

B.C. wildfires cause light orange haze over Vancouver in wake of air quality advisory

Vancouver residents are experiencing a small taste of what others in the B.C. Interior have been enduring for nearly a month. This morning, a light orange haze has descended over Vancouver. The misty skies are the result of smoke being … Continue reading

Posted in Air Quality, USA & Canada | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Air pollution deaths expected to rise because of climate change

If things don’t change, researchers say air pollution worsened by climate change could cost tens of thousands of lives a year New research predicts that air pollution worsened by climate change will cost tens of thousands of lives if changes are not made. The … Continue reading

Posted in Air Quality, Health Effects of Air Pollution | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

German court orders diesel ban in bid tackle air pollution

Judge demands ban placed on most polluting diesels entering German city of Stuttgart from January 2018, ruling previous plans from city government not ambitious enough A judge in the German city of Stuttgart has ordered the most polluting diesel cars … Continue reading

Posted in Air Quality, Europe, Germany | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Maternal exposure to air pollution early in pregnancy linked to preterm, low birth weight babies

Exposure to air pollution early in a pregnancy could increase risk for preterm birth and low birth weight, according to a study led by researchers at NYU School of Medicine, and published on July 27 in Environmental Health Perspectives. The study, … Continue reading

Posted in Air Quality, Health Effects of Air Pollution, Medical Studies | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Scottish Government accused of showing “remarkable disregard for public health” on air pollution 

Environmental groups accuse UK Government of “kicking urgently needed action into the long grass” with plan to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040 Environmental groups have accused the UK Government of “kicking urgently needed … Continue reading

Posted in Air Quality, Europe, UK | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment