Theresa May admits full extent of Britain’s toxic air crisis

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Respro® UK Ltd

Air pollution is the fourth biggest public health risk in the country, alongside cancer, obesity and heart disease, the Prime Minister has admitted.

Replying to a letter signed by 220 doctors, warning that “time is running out” to deal with the UK’s “toxic air scandal” Theresa May also admitted: “It disproportionately affects some of the most vulnerable in our society, including the elderly, people with lung and heart conditions, and the very young.”

The letter states that children’s lung growth is being stunted by toxic pollution, which is leading to other health problems, notably asthma.

In her letter, the Prime Minister blamed diesel vehicles as a major cause of the problem. Diesel cars received subsidies by the Labour government, on the basis that they emit less carbon dioxide than petrol-powered cars, but it is now known they emit other harmful pollutants, known as nitrogen oxides. It has also since been revealed their levels of emissions were covered up by Volkswagen, in a major scandal.

Emphasising the Government’s determination to tackle the problem, the Prime Minister said: “Poor air quality is the fourth largest risk to public health, behind only cancer, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

“It disproportionately affects some of the most vulnerable in our society, including the elderly, people with lung and heart conditions, and the very young.”

The Prime Minister has been urged to begin phasing out diesel vehicles, but motorists who were encouraged to buy them by the government are now very angry that new incentives to discourage their use has rendered their cars worthless.

A recent study by the London Mayor’s office linked toxic air pollution to 9,000 deaths a year.

Replying to Professor Jonathan Grigg, Professor of Paediatric Respiratory and Environmental Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, the Prime Minister added: “I agree with you that one of the main reasons our cities continue to face pollution problems is the significant levels of NOx (nitrogen oxides) emissions that diesel vehicles produce.”

“Harmful emissions from transport contribute significantly to the air quality challenge we face.”

Ministers had committed more than £2bn since 2011 to encourage motorists to buy ultra-low emission vehicles and support greener transport schemes.

Source: Theresa May admits full extent of Britain’s toxic air crisis | The Independent

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Friends of the Earth launches air quality proposals ahead of impending Government plan

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Respro® UK Ltd

The Government has today (11 April) been called upon to commit to clean air quality measures by climate change campaign group Friends of the Earth (FoE), as a new survey shows that almost half of UK citizens support restriction on polluting vehicles.

The creation of a new Clean Air Act and a plan to end illegal pollution in 2018 are among specific actions in FoE’s proposed plan, ahead of the Government’s much-anticipated Air Quality Plan expected this week. Other measures include a diesel scrappage scheme and a wide-ranging network of plug-in points for electric vehicles (EVs) by 2025.

“This is a gold-standard setting plan for what is needed to ensure clean air everywhere,” FoE air pollution campaigner Oliver Hayes said. “We need tough action on the causes of pollution but also real incentives to help drivers get out of dirty diesels and into cleaner alternatives.

“It’s not acceptable if the Government promises to clean up the air only in pollution hot-spots because everyone deserves to breathe clean air.”

Public support

Ministers need to produce a draft plan by 24 April after a successful legal challenge from environmental law firm ClientEarth ruled that the Government’s 2015 version failed to comply with relevant EU Directives. Air pollution leads to an estimated 40,000 early deaths each year in the UK, while it was recently reported that London breached its annual legal limit within five days of 2017.

Politicians are gradually starting to respond to the worsening issue; Sadiq Khan last week announced that London will have the world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in 2019, while the Government is thought to be considering the national rollout of a diesel scrappage scheme.

A new YouGov survey commissioned by FoE shows that British citizens back restrictions on polluting vehicles. The poll, released today to coincide with FoE’s proposals, shows that 46% support restricting the use of certain cars, such as diesel, to combat air pollution in UK towns and cities.

According to the survey, 39% people said they would support restrictions, even if it meant they or their family couldn’t use their own cars in those areas. It follows on from a previous FoE survey which revealed that almost half of car-owning UK adults would be likely to switch to a cleaner vehicle with Government support.

‘Dismissive of progress’

While reports show that diesel vehicles are now responsible for almost 40% of all NO2 emissions in the UK’s major cities, diesel car registrations are at an all-time high. In March, more businesses and consumers chose a new diesel car than in any other month in history, with figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) showing that almost quarter of a million left showrooms.

According to SMMT, diesel vehicles can play an important role in helping to improve air quality, contrary to recent media coverage. Diesel cars emit, on average, 20% lower CO2 than petrol equivalents, SMMT has noted.

The organisation also highlights that the latest Euro 6 vehicles are cleaner than ever, citing real-world tests on a London 159 bus route which showed a 95% drop in NOx compared with previous generation Euro 5 buses. The latest Euro 6 cars are classed as low-emission for the purposes of the proposed London ULEZ, meaning drivers of these vehicles will be free to enter the zone without charge.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “Euro 6 diesel cars on sale today are the cleanest in history. Not only have they drastically reduced or banished particulates, sulphur and carbon monoxide but they also emit vastly lower NOx than their older counterparts – a fact recognised by London in their exemption from the ULEZ that will come into force in 2019. Some recent reports have failed to differentiate between these much cleaner cars and vehicles of the past.

“This is unfair and dismissive of progress made. In addition to their important contribution to improving air quality, diesel cars are also a key part of action to tackle climate change while allowing millions of people, particularly those who regularly travel long distances, to do so as affordably as possible.

Source: Friends of the Earth launches air quality proposals ahead of impending Government plan

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London parents could face ban on taking kids to school by car 

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Respro® UK Ltd

Parents who use a car on the school run will be fined up to £130 in parts of London to tackle air pollution and dangerous driving, the Standard has learned.

The unprecedented action is being taken around two primaries and could be copied across the capital as part of the escalating battle against toxic air.

Cars will be banned from streets near the schools at morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times and pupils will have to walk or cycle to lessons.

Hackney council is behind the “School Streets” intiative, at St John the Baptist C of E primary, Hoxton, and Tyssen community primary, Stamford Hill.

If popular it plans to extend the move which could spell the end of the school run, a significant contributor to rush-hour gridlock if it catches on.

Feryal Demirci, Hackney’s Cabinet member for neighbourhoods, transport and parks, told the Standard: “Too many children in Hackney are driven to school. It’s bad for air quality and it’s bad for their health.

“School Streets is one thing we’re doing to try to make it safer and easier for children to walk and cycle to school.”

She said “shocking footage” of cars driving on the pavement outside Tyssen primary showed more action was needed.

Parents are divided about the crackdown, which comes ahead of the Government’s latest plans to tackle toxic air.

Mother-of-one Tara Faley, 24, said dangerous drivers were putting lives at risk and were “completely oblivious to everything else and people just park or drive where they want”.

Psychiatrist and mother-of-two Amina Rawat, 44, said: “The school needs to help parents find another way to drop their kids off.

“There has to be an alternative. The fine is a lot of money — especially for families here.”

Tyssen headteacher Jackie Benjamin said she hoped the traffic restrictions would improve air quality and road safety.

The dramatic measures were requested by parents and teachers who could no longer tolerate the behaviour of “road-rage” drivers who were held up behind the cars of parents dropping their children at the gates.

Ms Benjamin said: “I have been here two years and noticed straight away we have a problem with traffic.

“Other staff said they have been fighting it for 10 years. What is planned is to put a camera at the bottom of the road to take images of cars coming down when they should not. They will be fined by a fixed penalty notice.”

The penalty will be £130, reduced to £65 if paid within 14 days. The first School Street will be Crondall Street outside St John the Baptist, starting in June, after consultation.

The second would be Oldhill Street outside Tyssen —  which takes children as young as two — from September.

Extraordinary video footage at Tyssen shows cars and even a van mounting the kerb and driving illegally along the pavement while horrified pedestrians dodge out of the way.

School CCTV shows vehicles driving on the inside of the barrier placed near the entrance to stop pupils running into the path of cars.

Police have written to the drivers responsible warning they will be prosecuted if they continue.

However, the Standard later witnessed the same outrageous driving last Friday.

Vans and mopeds mounted the pavement to overtake stationary traffic as children and parents passed. Just after 8.25am a courier and white delivery van drove onto the kerb as pupils headed to school.

Miss Faley said: “I was walking with my four-year-old son the other day and a car mounted the pavement to avoid the traffic jam.

“It’s outrageous and unacceptable with so many people around at these times. I’ve had at least 10 arguments where I’ve had to tell people to be careful with their driving.

“After school, children want to run around with their friends, but it’s very dangerous.” She added, however: “£130 is a very steep fine.”

Mona Hussain, 29, said: “You cannot cross the road safely and cars are parked everywhere.

“I support what the school is doing to make everything safer, but the fine is a lot of money just for dropping your children off.”

Sultana Miah, 23, said the restriction would put her off using a car during the school run but “is harsh on parents”.

Automatic number plate recognition will be used identify offenders. Blue Badge holders will be automatically exempt and residents and businesses can register to be exempt.

Council staff and teachers are expected to be on the street when the scheme is introduced to inform motorists.

Restrictions would apply between 8.30am-9.15am and 3.15pm-4pm. Vehicles parked in the street before they come into force will be able to drive out of it without a fine. Penalty notices will be delivered to offenders by post.

This week Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed plans to introduce an Ultra Low Emission Zone in 2019.

Motorists with the dirtiest vehicles will have to pay £12.50 a day to drive into central London.

The zone will later be expanded to the South and North Circulars.

Within days Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom is expected to unveil the Government’s latest blueprint to deal with toxic air after judges twice ruled that its proposals were too weak.

Other London councils are also stepping up action. Parents who leave cars idling outside several schools in Waltham Forest will risk £20 fines, the Standard recently revealed.

Bollards are being put up either side of narrow Macklin Street in Camden between 8.30am and 9.15am and 3.15pm and 4pm to protect pupils attending St Joseph’s Catholic primary from traffic and pollution.

Source: London parents could face ban on taking kids to school by car | London Evening Standard

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Spring is not the only thing in the air 

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Respro® UK Ltd

Warmer days are welcome, but this is often our most polluted time of year, with agriculture one of the biggest culprits

Longer days are here at last, but in terms of air quality, spring is often our most polluted time of year. Pollutants left over from the northern hemisphere winter cause increased ozone at ground level. Coastal areas are most vulnerable and the problem tends to move south through spring.

During March, ozone on Shetland reached four on the UK’s 10-point warning scale. Heavy fertiliser use and spreading manure that was stored over winter causes big releases of ammonia each spring. This reacts chemically with pollution from traffic and industry to create particles that can stay in the air for a week or more. These caused pollution to reach eight on the UK’s 10-point scale across England in February, and six during March.

Industry and new vehicles have to meet ever tightening emission standards, but targets for controlling ammonia from farming are less ambitious. Over-use of fertiliser costs farmers money. It harms our rivers and our air and releases powerful greenhouse gases. Ammonia from farming decreased substantially in the early 1990s, but progress has stalled since. In Turkey and eastern Europe it has increased, while Denmark halved ammonia emissions between 2000 and 2010 showing what can be done.

The particles from the ammonia, traffic and industry mixture can drift a long way. Around one third of the health impacts from western Europe’s particle pollution occurs in other parts of the world, but this is not the only way that we export pollution. Based on goods traded in 2007, western Europe’s consumption of Chinese products causes around 55,000 early deaths from air pollution deaths across China each year.

Source: Spring is not the only thing in the air | Environment | The Guardian

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WHO: Pollution Kills 1.7 Million Children Every Year

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Respro® UK Ltd

Exposure to environmental pollutants kills 1.7 million children under the age of five each year, according to two new reports released by the World Health Organization. Worldwide, more than one in four deaths among children under the age of five are attributable to environmental hazards such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, contaminated water, and poor sanitation, the WHO reports.

The first report finds that some of the most common causes of death among young children — diarrhea, malaria, and pneumonia — can be prevented through access to safe water and clean cooking fuels, and other efforts to reduce environmental risks.

The second report details the impact that exposure to polluted environments has had on child mortality, Reuters reports.

“A polluted environment is a deadly one — particularly for young children,” WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said in a statement. “Their developing organs and immune systems, and smaller bodies and airways, make them especially vulnerable to dirty air and water.”

According to the second WHO report, 570,000 children under the age of five die every year from respiratory infections linked to indoor and outdoor air pollution, and second-hand smoke; 361,000 die every year from diarrhea, because of poor sanitation, hygiene, and limited access to safe drinking water; and 270,000 die during their first month from conditions that could have been prevented through improved sanitation, access to safe water, and reduced air pollution. Another 200,000 deaths from malaria could have been prevented through mosquito control and safer water management, the report finds.

The WHO reports detail long-term effects that environmental pollution can have on children’s’ health, as well. Children exposed to air pollution and second-hand smoke have an elevated risk of developing pneumonia and chronic respiratory problems, such as asthma.

Increasing volumes of electronic waste from disposed smartphones and other devices can expose children to toxins linked to reduced intelligence, lung damage, and cancer, the WHO says. The volume of so-called e-waste is expected to reach 50 million metric tons by 2018 — a 19% increase from 2014.

In 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the WHO’s cancer arm, classified outdoor air pollution as a carcinogen for humans, reporting links to lung and bladder cancer. In September 2016, the WHO said that more than 90% of the world’s population lives in areas where air pollution exceeds levels considered safe for humans.

Climate change has heightened risk factors, as well; rising temperatures and CO2 levels has led to increased pollen counts, which is linked with asthma prevalence among young children. Between 11 and 14% of children under the age of five currently suffer from asthma-related symptoms, and 44% of those cases are attributable to environmental factors, the WHO says.

To mitigate these risks, the WHO has called on governments to reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution, protect pregnant women from second-hand smoke, and provide safe water and sanitation.

Source: WHO: Pollution Kills 1.7 Million Children Every Year | Financial Tribune

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Firms could be sued over diesel cancer 

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Respro® UK Ltd

Employers have been told they are legally obliged to protect their staff from diesel fumes — and could be sued if workers develop cancer later in life.

The Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have issued the warnings because diesel fumes have been reclassified as a “grade 1 carcinogen”, meaning they are a “definite cause of cancer”. As many as 500,000 UK jobs are affected.

The warning applies to a huge range of employees, including professional drivers, bus and railway station staff, rubbish collectors, garage mechanics and warehouse and construction workers.

The reclassification, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organisation, came after it found that people exposed to diesel fumes at work were up to 40% more likely to develop lung cancer.

“In Britain, over 650 people a year die of lung or bladder cancer as a result of being exposed to diesel exhaust fumes at work,” said the IOSH. “About 800 new cases of cancer linked to diesel exhaust exposure are registered each year.”

The HSE said diesel fumes’ status as a carcinogen meant they were covered by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations. Employers must regularly assess dangers to staff and minimise exposure or face prosecution.

Researchers from Imperial College London say 500,000 UK workers are exposed to diesel.

Professional drivers are badly affected because air intakes suck in exhaust fumes from the vehicle in front.

Professor John Cherrie from the Institute of Occupational Medicine, who advises the IOSH, said that when a car fitted with monitors drove behind a diesel vehicle, particle concentrations shot up to two to four times the background level but sometimes much higher. “Some very high levels were measured behind buses with low-level exhausts,” he added.

Frank Kelly, professor of environmental health at Kings College London, who chairs the government’s advisory committee on air pollution, said drivers should stay clear of diesels. “In slow-moving or stationary traffic drivers should keep at least a car-length from the vehicle in front, especially diesels.

“In queues or slow moving traffic keep your windows closed and your air-con on recirculation. Ideally you should also avoid driving at all in rush hour.”

Such practical advice may have to be issued formally to staff by many organisations, who must also monitor their employees’ health.

“In the UK, health surveillance is compulsory for workers exposed to carcinogens,” said the IOSH. “Surveillance should be carried out by an occupational health professional.”

Such obligations will raise costs for organisations such as construction and transport firms, garages and police forces. However, the IOSH said the savings in human health would be far greater.

Source: Firms could be sued over diesel cancer | News | The Times & The Sunday Times

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Largest pollution control op begins 

Posted on April 7, 2017 by Respro® UK Ltd

Inspections have exposed violations by companies illegally discharging pollutants and falsifying monitoring data, despite emergency responses to the ongoing air pollution in northern regions, according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

Severe violations were exposed by the nation’s top environmental officials during random inspections in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the neighbouring provinces of Henan, Shanxi and Shandong, it said.

The ministry announced the launch of a yearlong intensified inspection programme in the area’s 28 major cities, starting yesterday. Up to 5,600 government workers will be transferred from across the nation to support the mission, making the campaign the largest-ever national operation in the field of environmental protection.

On Tuesday, Chen Jining, the minister of environmental protection, visited Sinopec Beijing Yanshan Co, a major petrochemical enterprise in Fangshan district, to inspect levels of discharged pollutants.

Chen said that after waiting for 20 minutes, he was unable to obtain records on the repairing of equipment related to emissions monitoring.

It showed the company failed to operate as required in controlling and reducing emissions of air pollutants, and it has been required to correct its problems, Chen said.

In addition to poor management, Zhao Yingmin, the vice-minister of environmental protection, exposed severe violations by a new material production company in Anyang, Henan province, which was found to have falsified monitoring data to make sulfur dioxide emission levels show a negative reading.

As of Monday, inspectors in seven cities in northern regions had exposed 200 pollution problems, including excessive emissions, falsified monitoring data and weak implementation of laws by local governments, according to the ministry.

The ministry said on Wednesday that blue-sky days in the 28 major cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and neighbouring provinces of Henan, Shanxi and Shandong accounted for 60.9% of the month, an increase of 20.6% year-on-year.

Beijing started to see the air quality improve by 5pm on Wednesday, but it is forecast to worsen again, becoming severe, the second-highest level in the six-tier quality system, according to the China National Envi­ronmental Monitoring Center.

At least 13 cities, including Beijing, had issued orange alerts, the second-highest emergency response level, as of Wednesday.

“It’s essential to implement the restriction efforts fully, and tighten the controls on construction sites and dust caused by vehicles,” Chen said.

Source: Largest pollution control op begins – Regional | The Star Online

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Living in an area with high air pollution may impact women’s breast density

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Respro® UK Ltd

A study of nearly 280,000 women in the United States has found that living in areas with a high level of fine particles from air pollution may increase a woman’s chance of having dense breasts – a well-established risk factor for breast cancer – according to a new study published in the open access journal Breast Cancer Research.

The study, the largest of its kind to investigate the association of air pollution with breast density, found that for every one unit increase in fine particle concentration (PM2.5), a woman’s chance of having dense breasts was increased by 4%. Women with dense breasts were around 20% more likely to have been exposed to higher concentrations of PM2.5. Conversely, women with less dense, or breasts with more fatty tissue, were 12% less likely to have been exposed to high concentrations of PM2.5.

Breast density is measured by mammography and reflects the relative amounts of different tissue types in the breast. Breasts with a majority of fatty tissue are easier to interpret by mammography and so abnormalities become easier to spot. Dense breasts contain a higher percentage of fibroglandular tissue which obscures mammography and makes it difficult to identity abnormalities such as a breast tumour.

Dr Lusine Yaghjyan, lead author from the University of Florida, said: “Our findings suggest that previously reported geographic variation in breast density could, in part, be explained by different air pollution patterns in urban and rural areas. Breast density is a well-established and strong breast cancer risk factor so future studies are warranted to determine if the observed associations are causal, which if confirmed may have implications for risk prevention.”

The researchers also looked at the association between ozone exposure and breast density among the 280,000 women included in the study. They found that every one unit increase in ozone concentration was associated with a 3% lower chance of having dense breasts.

Dr Yaghjyan explained: “We found a positive association between fine particle concentration exposure and breast density but an inverse association between ozone exposure and breast density. This is an intriguing result that warrants further investigation to unpick any possible biological mechanism that might cause ozone exposure to reduce a woman’s chance of having dense breasts.”

Chemical constituents of PM2.5 air pollution are known to include pollutants that have endocrine disrupting properties. According to the researchers, although causation cannot be established in this observational study, due to uncontrolled factors, these pollutants could potentially influence breast density by interfering with growth of cells in the breast and increasing the relative amount of fibroglandular tissue.

Women for this study were selected from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium, a population-based cohort of women undergoing mammographic screening across the United States. Mammographic data, including breast density, was included from women who were screened between 2001 and 2009. Breast density was measured using the BI-RADS system, a method developed by the American College of Radiology to standardise beast density measurements. Air pollution data corresponding to the areas where the women lived before or around the time of their mammogram was obtained from the United States Environment Protection Agency.

Source: Living in an area with high air pollution may impact women’s breast density

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