Forest fires cause pollution worse than that in toxic cities, says NRSC study

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Respro® UK Ltd

NRSC found that such high-magnitude events had the potential to destroy a wide variety of flora and fauna as the levels of pollution become higher than those in some highly polluted cities.

As massive fires engulfed forests in Uttarakhand last month, a study by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) found that such high-magnitude events had the potential to destroy a wide variety of flora and fauna as the levels of pollution become higher than those in some highly polluted cities in the country.

The Hyderabad-based NRSC studied changes induced by forest fires in the atmosphere over Uttarakhand, using space-based observations and model simulations. The study revealed that concentrations of trace gases and aerosols rose to alarming levels during a massive fire in April-May 2016.“CO (carbon monoxide) levels were more than double the normal values, while NO2 (nitrogen oxide) concentrations were nearly three times the normal values.

“Elevated levels of AOD (aerosol optical depth) also indicate that substantial amount of aerosols was emitted during the main phase as well as towards the end of the fire event,” said the NRSC study.Forest fires are major sources of trace gases and aerosols, and the emissions influence the chemical composition of the Earth’s atmosphere and climate system significantly.

“Various pollutants released by forest fire events include trace gases such as CO, CO2 (carbon dioxide), NO2, CH4 (methane) and ozone, in addition to photo-chemically reactive compounds, and fine and coarse particulate matter. Through direct emissions as well as secondary physical and chemical processes, forest fires can have a significant impact on the tropospheric chemistry and also can serve as a major source of air pollution,” noted the researchers in the study.

Citing other sources, the researchers said that biomass burning had a significant effect on the concentrations of CO in the atmosphere and the amount of CO emitted during a forest fire episode could match the entire anthropogenic contribution in a year.The study highlights that the transport of CO and other pollutants in an ecologically and environmentally sensitive area can have potential effects.

“Immediate effects include changes in local weather and environment. Long-term impact includes effect of snow albedo and glacier melting. A detailed study on the extent of damage to the glacial belt needs to be ascertained through more ground-based studies,” the NRSC study added.

The damage

Pollutants released by forest fires: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, methane, ozone, and fine and coarse particulate matter
Carbon monoxide emitted during a forest fire can match the entire anthropogenic contribution in a year.

via Forest fires cause pollution worse than that in toxic cities, says NRSC study- The New Indian Express

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London ferries produce same pollution as hundreds of buses and trucks – but are not policed by tough new emission regulations

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Respro® UK Ltd

London ferries produce same pollution as hundreds of buses and trucks – but are not policed by tough new emission regulations

Ferries used by commuters and tourists in the centre of London are spewing out pollution equivalent to hundreds of buses and trucks every day.

Meanwhile, cruise ships docking at places like Tower Bridge pump out as much toxic nitrogen oxide gases and particulates as nearly 700 lorries each.

These vessels – alongside the tour boats, container ships and tugs that use the river every day – can use filthy fuel and engines because they operate under the same rules as trawlers in the North Sea.

Boats can therefore emit up to 100 times the level of sulphur oxide gases (SOx) permitted for cars, vans and buses.

These lax standards mean river traffic is far from complying with the targets set by London’s low emission zone, let along the ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) coming into force next year.

Decades of reform have seen increasingly tight regulations placed on cars and vans, culminating in the London mayor’s ULEZ – which will stretch to the North and South Circular roads by 2021.

While the contribution of boats to the city’s air pollution crisis is small compared to that of  road vehicles, campaigners and experts have warned that river traffic is being left behind – despite the threat it poses to Londoners living near the Thames.

Ralph Hardwick from No Toxic Cruise Port, a campaign group fighting against a new cruise port in Greenwich, said the river had been completely overlooked in Sadiq Khan’s latest plans to clean up the city’s toxic air.

“Nothing on the Thames has really got emission controls, so when the mayor is trying to have ultra-low emissions, it’s just not going to touch the river,” he said.

“You can’t call London a low emission zone when the river is not included.”

As the mayor’s authority does not extend to London’s rivers, responsibility for the pollution coming from river traffic falls on the Port of London Authority (PLA), and emissions targets are ultimately set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

“It’s a bit of a strange dichotomy where you can have cars that are subject to increasingly strict restriction and then on the river next to them sometimes you have boats subject to restrictions that permit greater levels of emissions,” said Professor Matt Loxham, an air pollution toxicologist at the University of Southampton.

Shipping pollution typically contains high levels of SOx – pollutants that have been linked with a variety of diseases.

Under the sulphur emission control area introduced by IMO in 2015, which covers the Thames, boats must use fuel that contains 0.1 per cent sulphur in efforts to reduce this pollution. This is 100 times more sulphur than is permitted in road diesel.

“SOx are irritants to the airways – a bit like nitrogen dioxide – they can cause inflammation and in people who are predisposed they can exacerbate asthma or respiratory conditions,” said Professor Loxham.

Some London boats, such as the Thames Clippers – high-speed catamarans that carry commuters and sightseers – use gasoil with SOx levels comparable with those found in road diesel.

However, Dr Tristan Smith, a shipping researcher at University College London, estimates the lack of stringency on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions means the engines used by these boats produce quantities around 10 times higher, per passenger, than London buses.

Compared to a truck operating under the latest European diesel standards, the figure is closer to 20 times higher.

Measures like ULEZ are intended to keep vehicles that do not meet the strictest emissions standards out of the city. Data suggests 9,500 Londoners currently die prematurely every year due to air pollution, and scientists say the lethal cocktail of gases and particles is having far-reaching effects.

“It’s not just about asthma, it’s about cancer, heart disease, poor sleep and dementia as well,” said Professor Hugh Montgomery, an intensive care medic at University College London.

However, Martin Garside from PLA said that not only is the Thames a “vital transport artery”, its river traffic serves a key role in actually reducing air pollution in the city.

“With a single barge able to carry the load of 50 lorries, it is central to reducing traffic and pollution on London’s congested roads,” he said.

“Last year more than four million tonnes of cargo was transported by water between terminals on the Thames – equivalent to more than 300,000 lorry movements removed from London’s roads.”

In May the PLA released its own air quality strategy for the Thames, including targets to cut NOx and particulates by half over the next 25 years.

Such measures are already being implemented in the Thames Clippers, but critics have pointed out that even with these changes pollution levels would still far exceed those of road vehicles.

“To me it’s weak – it’s a lot of smoke and mirrors to say they are doing something,” said Mr Hardwick.

Dr Smith said that considering the capacity the road sector has shown for bringing down pollution, the same ought to be done for the river.

“Given that we hybridised the London buses (which handles a lot of the transient emission issues) 10 years ago, and they were much more stringently regulated then and are now, there is no good technological or environmental reason why the river craft shouldn’t at least meet equivalent standards,” he said.

“Instead, we’ve let their regulation be left to be driven by international multilateral negotiations at the IMO.”

As it stands, PLA estimates use of the river accounts for just 1 per cent of the city’s annual emissions – a figure that will rise to around 3 per cent in the next decade due to improvements in road engines and an increase in river traffic.

However, this figure covers the city in its entirety, and concentrations of toxic pollutants around the Thames are likely to be far higher.

Germany’s Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) has conducted assessments of air pollution in port cities around Europe, from Venice to Hamburg, and found universally harmful levels of pollution.

Of particular note were the levels of highly dangerous ultrafine particulates, which were on average present at levels 400 times higher than is considered “safe”. The tiny size of these particles allows them to penetrate deep into the lungs and cause damage.

Dietmar Oeliger, head of transport policy at NABU, said that, although the organisation was yet to measure levels on the Thames, the share of the area’s pollution coming from boats “must be quite high”.

“Along the rivers you tend to have very high concentrations of ultra-fine particles and I’m sure this is the same in London,” he said.

Mr Hardwick said ultimately control over river emissions needs to come from the government.

“They need to step up and say we can’t carry on allowing vessels in UK waters continuing to pollute as they are,” he said.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Shipping is an international industry, so it is entirely appropriate that there is a global approach to regulating shipping through the IMO.”

“This government is doing more than ever before to reduce harmful emissions across all modes of transport.”

Experts point out there are alternatives available that would bring river traffic in line with the standards being applied to the road.

“Belgium now has a hydrogen powered river craft operating (hydroville), and the Netherlands and other European inland waterways are increasingly electrifying river traffic,” said Dr Smith.

According to NABU, a switch to low-sulphur fuel combined with particulate filter and emission-reducing catalysts would virtually eliminate air pollution from boats being used in cities.

“Incentivising such solutions will be important if London’s river craft aren’t going to end up significantly behind the curve and creating a growing share of London’s emissions,” said Dr Smith.

via London ferries produce same pollution as hundreds of buses and trucks – but are not policed by tough new emission regulations | The Independent

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Beijing is tackling air pollution at street level

Posted on June 22, 2018 by Respro® UK Ltd

Beijing just announced a new policy to control the number of cars without local licences on the road in order to ease traffic and reduce air pollution.

Starting November 1 next year, people can no longer drive cars with non-Beijing licences without a time limit. They can apply for permits that allow them to drive in the city a maximum of 12 times per year, with each permit effective for seven consecutive days.

The policy means that a person who owns a car with a licence registered elsewhere can only drive it for 84 days in the capital per year. During days without permission to drive, their cars cannot be driven or parked in public areas in the city that are not residential parking lots.

“There have been too many cars with non-Beijing licences on the roads in recent years, which has made the traffic terrible,” said Ding Zhe, 42, a resident who now takes the subway to work, even though he owns a car with a Beijing licence, because of the inescapable traffic congestion.

The number of cars registered in Beijing was 5.97 million as of April, according to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport.

However, the number of cars without Beijing licences that are driven constantly in the downtown area is as high as 700,000 – as many as the total number of cars in Hong Kong.

To control the rapid increase of cars in the capital, Beijing started a policy in 2010 where people have to apply for licence plates and obtain one through a lottery before they buy a car.

However, due to the large demand, the possibility of getting a licence has become more and more difficult. Those who don’t want to try their luck choose to buy a car registered elsewhere and use that vehicle in the city.

Digital permits

Many car retailers provide services to help people get a non-Beijing licence with a cost of about 4,500 yuan (Bt23,000).

After the purchase, the car owners only need to put a record online to get digital permits on a weekly basis to drive their cars in the capital.

In 2015, the authority gave out 50,000 permits every day. In 2016, the number soared to 100,000 a day. Since the start of 2017, the authority has given out 725,000 permits every week. This aroused the attention of city managers.

“The aim of the permit is for people who do not live in Beijing to drive their cars into the capital to deal with matters occasionally,” said Zhang Rui, an associate professor focused on city planning at Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture.

“People who permanently use their cars without local licences in the city have actually harmed the fairness of the lottery policy.

“Even though there is rigid demand for cars, the city policymakers still have to make social fairness a priority to ensure the effectiveness of existing regulations,” she said.

via Beijing is tackling air pollution at street level

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Millions of British children breathing toxic air, Unicef warns

Posted on June 21, 2018 by Respro® UK Ltd

Millions of British children breathing toxic air, Unicef warns
More than 4.5m affected, says UN group, while tests suggest children’s shorter height increases exposure on busy roads

More than 4.5 million children in the UK are growing up in areas with toxic levels of air pollution, the UN children’s organisation Unicef has warned.

Tests suggesting that children walking along busy roads are exposed to a third more air pollution than adults, as their shorter height places them close to passing car exhausts, were also released on Thursday.

The Unicef report found that almost a third of under-18s live in places with unsafe levels of small particulate pollution, including 1.6 million under-fives and 270,000 babies. The analysis is based on the World Health Organization limit set in 2005, which is 60% lower than the legal limit in England and Wales.

Amy Gibbs, at Unicef UK, said: “The findings force us to face a shocking reality about the acute impact on children’s health. Worryingly, one third of our children could be filling their lungs with toxic air that puts them at risk of serious, long-term health conditions.

“It’s unacceptable that the most vulnerable members of society, who contribute the least to air pollution, are the ones suffering most from its effects,” she said. “The government must accept this is a children’s health crisis and offer targeted action and funding to reduce their exposure.”

The tests on children’s exposure next to busy roads are relevant to the millions of children walk to school each day, with experts are advising that where practical parents choose quieter routes, away from traffic, as this can cut pollution exposure by almost two-thirds. Other scientists have suggested parents use covers on their prams and buggies during the school run to protect their infants from air pollution. Half of all children walk to school, but being driven to school by car instead can actually result in greater pollution exposure for those inside the vehicle, previous research has shown.

Prof Jonathan Grigg, at Queen Mary University of London, said: “My research has shown that exposure of young children to higher amounts of air pollution from traffic has a major impact on their lungs. Although parents can reduce this impact by walking on less polluted roads, the UK government must take further steps to reduce toxic emissions on all roads.”

The environment secretary, Michael Gove, said the school run tests were troubling: “This a further demonstration of why we need to take strong action now to improve air quality.” He said the government was acting, but added: “By taking simple steps, like leaving the car at home for the school run, we can work together to reduce air pollution and protect our health.”

Lack of funding for local authorities to tackle air pollution is a key issue, the select committee MPs said. “The car industry is partly responsible for our toxic streets, and seeing the government resist calls for an industry-financed Clean Air Fund is incomprehensible,” said Neil Parish MP, chair of the environment committee.

The school run tests analysed particulate pollution on different routes taken by primary and nursery schoolchildren in London, Manchester and Leeds. Small measuring devices were carried by each child and adult, with one measurement taken on each route in each city. In Manchester, a test found that the upper deck of a bus was much less polluted than the lower deck.

The tests were commissioned by Global Action Plan for Clean Air day, which falls on Thursday and is supported by the government and 180 organisations. The organisers are calling on people to leave their car at home where possible. When streets were closed to traffic for the 2018 London marathon, pollution levels dropped by 89%.

Mala Kapoor, who took part in the tests in Leeds with her daughter Ariyan, said: “I was shocked to hear that children are more exposed than adults to air pollution from exhaust fumes. When going out I do try to take more back routes – it might take me a couple of minutes longer but if it reduces Ariyan’s exposure to air pollution, then it’s worth it.”

via Millions of British children breathing toxic air, Unicef warns | Environment | The Guardian

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South Asian monsoon efficiently purifies the air of pollutants, but also distributes them across the globe

Posted on June 20, 2018 by Respro® UK Ltd

The same phenomenon recurs every year. During the dry season, in winter, burning fossil fuels and biomass in South Asia creates a huge pollution haze: the Atmospheric Brown Cloud. How and why it disappears as soon as the rainy season starts in spring has now been clarified by an international team of scientists led by the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry. The result is that thunderstorm updrafts, lightning and chemical reactions enhance the self-cleansing power of the atmosphere, allowing atmospheric pollutants to be efficiently washed out of the air. However, the pollutants that are not eliminated are transported into the upper troposphere by the monsoon and then spread worldwide.

No weather phenomenon defines South Asia as much as the monsoon: this enormous circulation system leads to dryness in winter but brings intense precipitation in summer. The summer monsoon is created by the heating of air masses over the Indian subcontinent and the warm air rising. As a result, humid ocean air is drawn in and flows over land towards the Himalayas. Deep thunderstorm clouds produce rain over the region for months, guaranteeing water supplies and safeguarding harvests.

Atmospheric researchers have long suspected that the rising air masses also transport pollution high into the atmosphere, even above the rain clouds. “We anticipated that gaseous and particulate pollutants are transferred into an anticyclone, a huge clockwise circulation of winds, which forms above the clouds over South Asia as a result of the thunderstorm convection,” says Jos Lelieveld, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry. Geographically, the countries of Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Tibet, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan are part of South Asia. In this region, nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide emissions from burning coal and other fossil fuels have increased by fifty percent over the past decade. However, the pollution cloud is also fuelled by other sources, in particular the combustion of biomass by the region’s large population.

The monsoon transports atmospheric pollutants and eliminates them

Evidence that the South Asian monsoon actually transports pollutants through the cloud layer as high as the stratosphere has now been provided by an elaborate expedition with the HALO research aircraft: in 2015, the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, together with colleagues from the Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), launched the “Oxidation Mechanism Observations” mission (OMO). “Our research flights revealed that the monsoon also effectively removes pollutants from the atmosphere,” said expedition leader Lelieveld. The pollutants are carried aloft from the surface and rapidly converted into compounds that are more easily removed by rain.

The scientific team’s study thus uncovered the monsoon’s virtue but also its downside: a large proportion of South Asia’s pollutants moves up above monsoon clouds into the anticyclone. There they accumulate and are then distributed around the globe. For example, almost ten percent of South Asia’s sulphur dioxide emissions reaches the stratosphere, which in turn has effects on the climate and the ozone layer. The monsoon therefore not only represents a type of efficient pollutant washing machine, but simultaneously contributes to global atmospheric pollution.

HALO reveals the sources of atmospheric pollution and the degradation processes

The scientists achieved these findings from measurements in the anticyclone: in July and August they flew up to 15 kilometres into the monsoon outflow, between the eastern Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, and analyzed the composition of the atmosphere with the research aircraft HALO. They passed over regions in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and North Africa to investigate the extent of the phenomenon.

During the survey flights, they identified numerous chemical compounds in order to understand the sources of atmospheric pollution and the chemical processes in the atmosphere: sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, ozone, aerosols, chlorine-containing molecules, hydrocarbons and their degradation products.

More carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide, but also more hydroxyl

For example, the measurement flights revealed that carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide concentrations within the anticyclone were significantly increased compared to outside. “The large amounts of sulphur dioxide originate from combustion processes by human activities and are much higher than natural background concentrations,” says atmospheric researcher Hans Schlager of the DLR. This, in turn, means that a substantial proportion of atmospheric pollution is transported to altitudes up to 15 kilometres. In addition, the researchers were able to demonstrate that India represents a significant source of pollutants. It was previously assumed that much of the emissions come from China, because the monsoon’s area of influence extends as far as East Asia.

“We also analysed the levels of hydroxyl radicals and found significantly higher concentrations within the anticyclone than outside it,” relates Max Planck researcher Hartwig Harder, who was present during the entire expedition. The hydroxyl molecule (OH) is better known as the atmospheric cleansing agent because it is highly reactive and efficiently oxidizes pollutants. Chemically, this has two effects: on the one hand, their solubility and thus their ability to lock on to existing airborne particles change, making them easier to wash out of the atmosphere by precipitation. On the other hand, the oxidized molecules can combine to form new aerosols. Because the anticyclone expands widely and disperses the particles, this effect can impact the global climate.

More atmospheric cleaners thanks to lightning

The atmospheric cleanser OH primarily forms when ozone and water are broken down by sunlight. Once the radical has reacted with pollutants, it is generally lost. However, if nitrogen oxides are present, it is recycled and can purify repeatedly, explains the atmospheric chemist Andreas Hofzumahaus of Forschungszentrum Jülich. Nitrogen oxides are formed not only by the combustion of diesel fuel, but also by lightning in the atmosphere. Because lightning frequently occurs during monsoon thunderstorms, the self-cleaning power at 15 kilometres altitude is maintained despite the atmospheric pollution. According to the scientists, even much more OH is recycled than is primarily formed.

This means, then, that the monsoon weather phenomenon not only pumps pollutants high into the atmosphere, but simultaneously provides a cleaning mechanism to remove some of those pollutants again.

This explanation was confirmed by the results of an established numerical model system, which computes the chemical processes in the atmosphere globally. Based on this model, it is possible to determine, among other things, the concentrations of individual chemical compounds such as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and those of the OH radical – verified based on the measurements. The OH decreases by a factor of two to three if the scientists do not take into account the nitrogen oxides produced by lightning in the model.

Because it can be assumed that pollutant emissions in the region will continue to increase in future years, the researchers headed by Jos Lelieveld are interested in how the two faces of the Janus-headed South Asian monsoon will develop in the future: Will the cleaning and transport mechanism continue to exist side by side or will they be tilted in one direction or the other?

via South Asian monsoon efficiently purifies the air of pollutants, but also distributes them across the globe

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Smoke from El Niño fires subdued dawn chorus in Singapore

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Respro® UK Ltd

In 2015 the El Niño drought brought severe fires to Indonesia’s forests and peatlands. The resulting air pollution spread across much of Southeast Asia. Now a study has linked the haze to changes in the dawn chorus some 300 km away in Singapore.

“We’re the first to show a clear effect of the haze pollution on biodiversity,” says Matthew Struebig of the University of Kent, UK. “Previous studies have demonstrated impacts of the forest fires on wildlife activity or the suitability of habitat, but no-one has looked at the pollution effects over in Southeast Asia.”

Although fires occur each year in Indonesia’s forests and peatlands, those in 2015 were exacerbated by a prolonged drought caused by the El Niño -Southern Oscillation and Indian Ocean Dipole. In September and October 2015 the air pollution from the haze regularly reached “unhealthy” or “very unhealthy” levels. Pollution levels near the fires were 15 times greater than in Singapore.

Struebig, Benjamin Lee and Zoe Davies analysed recordings of the dawn chorus made before, during and after the haze at the ‘EcoLink’ wildlife overpass in forest in central Singapore. The prevailing winds at the site brought smoke from Indonesia.

Built in 2013, the 62-m long EcoLink bridge is 50 m wide and re-connects two tropical lowland rainforests, the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve. Construction of the Bukit Timah Expressway 30 years ago separated these two reserves.

“The acoustic work was originally intended as a cost-effective way to sample bats remotely,” says Struebig. “Ben was tasked with setting up a monitoring scheme of the new green bridge infrastructure that had been built in Singapore. We recorded the dawn chorus as a bonus, but it quickly became evident that this was changing during the onset of the haze.”

The team assessed four acoustic indices from the soundscape recordings, for a total of 78 mornings between January 2015 and March 2016. All four indices decreased – by up to 37.5% – when the smoke pollution began in September 2015. The acoustic complexity and bioacoustic indices had recovered almost completely 16 weeks after the smoke dispersed but the acoustic diversity and normalized difference soundscape index remained low.

“This suggest that some components of the ecological community continued to be absent or torpid for at least four months after the smoke dissipated,” writes the team in Environmental Research Letters (ERL). The recordings mainly picked up noise from birds and insects, as well as human activity.

Terrestrial vertebrates are likely to suffer from air pollution in similar ways to people, including respiratory diseases, lack of oxygen, irritated eyes and skin, increased stress, and death. The haze may also harm animals indirectly through its reduction of light and sound, which could hamper foraging, decrease the availability or size of prey or alter plant timings.

“We show that (relatively) simple acoustic indices can…track biodiversity patterns in response to quite rapid environmental changes,” says Struebig. Rolling the technique out over a larger area could show how far the pollution impacts reach from the source, and the extent to which biodiversity recovers. “We don’t expect acoustic studies to replace core field research – nor would we want them to – but in some situations, such as dangerous pollution conditions, they are safer and more cost effective to implement,” he adds.

Struebig is now monitoring a site in Borneo with a network of recorders whilst the landscape undergoes conversion. “The idea is to see whether acoustic techniques could be used to monitor biodiversity – in particularly species of conservation concern – as part of conservation commitments by landowners, particularly oil palm and forestry,” he says. “It’s early days and it’s much more challenging than the context in Singapore, but there are some early signs that this is possible.”

via Smoke from El Niño fires subdued dawn chorus in Singapore – Physics World

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Delhi’s air pollution still ‘severe’

Posted on June 18, 2018 by Respro® UK Ltd

Although Delhi’s pollution level has decreased, the severity of the situation continues to exist for the sixth consecutive day.

The pollution level that dipped to ‘severe plus’ state has come to ‘severe’ category due to rapid dispersion of pollutants, Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research institute (SAFAR) said.

According to the data by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the PM10 level (presence of particles with a diameter less than 10 mm) was recorded at 424 in Delhi-NCR and 420 in Delhi on Sunday.

The dispersion of pollutants has become faster after the local winds picked up speed, which in turn has rapidly decreased the pollution level and improved air quality, said Gufran Beig, a scientist at SAFAR, adding that the air quality is expected to improve further.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city remained severe at 402. An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor, and 401-500 severe.

The PM10 level had climbed to 778 in Delhi-NCR area and 824 in Delhi on Wednesday, bringing to light that severe pollution could be a ‘summer-time problem’ too.

The PM2.5 level (presence of particles with diameter less than 2.5 mm) that deteriorated from very poor to severe has now come to poor category.

It was 110 in Delhi-NCR and 107 in Delhi today, the CPCB data said.

There was a dip in the air quality level on Tuesday due to dust storms in western India, particularly Rajasthan, which increased coarser particles in the air, it added.

It was a warm morning in the national capital with the weatherman predicting thunderstorm and light showers on Sunday.

via Delhi’s air pollution still ‘severe’ – Mail Today News

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People in Manchester ‘exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution’

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Respro® UK Ltd

Report finds life expectancy in region reduced by average of six months due to pollution

Dangerous levels of air pollution are having a devastating impact on the health of people living in Greater Manchester and costing the regional economy £1bn every year, according to a new study.

The report found that toxic air is reducing life expectancy in the region by an average six months and, over the next century, estimates “1.6 million life years” will be lost unless action is taken.

The report by IPPR North comes ahead of a national air pollution conference being held in Salford on Thursday.

The thinktank’s director, Sarah Longlands, said the “human cost of the air pollution crisis” in the city could not be overstated.

“People’s lives are being cut short, our children’s health is being put at risk and this is before you even consider the £1bn annual economic burden that poor quality air places on the local economy.

“For too long, the debate on air pollution has been focused on London. But now for the first time, we understand the full extent of the problem in Greater Manchester. We simply cannot allow this to continue.”

The report found:

  • Central Manchester has the highest rate of emergency hospital admissions for asthma in England, more than double the national average. North Manchester comes in second place.
  • Manchester council ranks as the second worst in England for PM10 particulate pollution, which is linked to conditions such as lung cancer and asthma.
  • Hotspots for dangerous air quality include Manchester’s Oxford Road, which exceeded legal limits 90 times during 2016.

It also found that the region has one of the worst polluting bus fleets in the UK, with 20% of the fleet made up of the most polluting vehicles, compared with just 10% in London. Only 15 buses are entirely electric, compared with more than 500 in London.

The report calls on Greater Manchester’s mayor, Andy Burnham – who will address Thursday’s conference, to take urgent action and for the national government to give the city the powers and funds necessary to tackle air pollution.

Alison Cook, policy director at the British Lung Foundation, said the report showed Manchester was one of the most polluted places in the UK.

“This report provides more detail on the health impact of air pollution on the city than we’ve had before,” she said. “Ambitious and concrete measures from the mayor and central government must now follow, such as rolling out charging zones in the most polluted areas.”

ClientEarth, which has successfully taken the government to court three times over its lack of action on air pollution said the study would make “worrying reading” for people in the city.

“While the UK government continues to drag its feet over its legal and moral duty to meet legal limits of air pollution in the shortest time possible, it is essential that local and regional leaders, including the mayor of Greater Manchester, do everything they can to protect people’s right to breathe clean air.”

Burnham said the report set out in “stark terms” the level of threat air pollution poses to health in Greater Manchester.

He said a range of measures were already in place or being planned, but added: “We also need a comprehensive national strategy to support our local work – backed by substantial, up-front investment from the government – so that we can all work together to tackle this serious problem that is affecting us all.”

via People in Manchester ‘exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution’ | UK news | The Guardian

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