UK government’s air quality strategy goes on trial

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Respro® UK Ltd

Supreme Court to decide whether ministers need to produce a new plan to tackle poor air quality
New plans to tackle air pollution may have to be rushed through if the UK Supreme Court rules the current strategy is ineffective.

In a landmark case, judges will today hear the culmination of a four year legal battle between the UK and EU courts over the country’s poor air quality, which has been blamed for 29,000 deaths a year.

Londoners suffered last week with some of the worst levels of air pollution seen in recent years. Yet the government has admitted the capital, along with the West Midlands and West Yorkshire, is unlikely to meet EU safe levels for air quality until after 2030 – two decades after the original EU deadline.

While ministers argued they should have more time to draw up plans to tackle nitrogen dioxide levels, the European Court of Justice last year ruled it should have proposals in place during 2015 so the time it takes to meet the legal requirements “is as short as possible”.

Air pollution campaigners hope the Supreme Court will order ministers to come up with a new plan to deliver urgent cuts to current levels of air pollution. The Supreme Court could also rule the Government must bring forward the date by which its targets have to be met.

ClientEarth, which brought the orginal case at the European Court of Justice, has called for the most polluting diesel vehicles, the main source of nitrogen dioxide pollution, to be removed from city centres.

However, campaign groups have insisted any new plan must include a host of measures to tackle air pollution in urban centres.

“The government should be forced to come up with an urgent action plan to stop people choking on dirty air and end this national disgrace,” said Jenny Bates, air pollution campaigner at Friends of the Earth. “It’s time to tackle the main cause of this pollution, which is too much dirty traffic, by encouraging cleaner vehicles and getting more people on to bikes, buses, trains.”

The government has repeatedly argued it is already delivering an ambitious package of air quality measures and is working to meet the European standards.

via UK government’s air quality strategy goes on trial – 16 Apr 2015 – News from BusinessGreen.

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Move over Beijing, New Delhi has the world’s worst air pollution

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Respro® UK Ltd

New Delhi has been dubbed the worst city for air pollution on Earth.

According to air quality levels measured in 2014 by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1,600 different cities around the globe, the Indian capital city of New Delhi was found to be the worst. The WHO indicates the air pollution is 10 times higher than acceptable standards.

The city was found to have the highest levels of particulate matter, also known as PM 2.5, known to be most harmful to human health. PM refers to small solid or liquid particles floating in the air. These particles can be made up of different substances, including carbon, sulphur, nitrogen and metal compounds.

Cancer, heart disease and other chronic respiratory problems can all be an outcome of traffic-related air pollution. Reports indicate PM levels were found to be 50 percent higher on Delhi’s roads during rush hour than during ambient air quality readings.

“Delhi is a very green city,” Kamal Meattle, a Delhi-based air pollution activist told CNN. “But even the greenest areas of Delhi have extreme pollution levels.”

Experts say the city’s burning of bio-mass, industry emissions and coal-powered power stations can all be attributed to high levels of air pollution. According to CNN, there are roughly 8.5 million registered vehicles in the city and 1,400 cars are added to the city’s streets each day.

A national Air Quality Index (AQI) was launched recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The AQI is able to monitor pollution levels in real-time across major urban cities. New Delhi is one of 10 cities where data is available.

Last week The National Green Tribunal announced measures to try to combat air pollution in Delhi including an attempt to ban diesel-powered vehicles older than 10 years off the city’s streets.

via Move over Beijing, New Delhi has the world’s worst air pollution News – The Weather Network.

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Air pollution ‘largely responsible’ for rise in lung cancer cases in recent years: doctor

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Respro® UK Ltd

TAIPEI–Air pollution is largely responsible for an increase in the number of lung cancer cases in Taiwan in recent years, a doctor said Tuesday.

The latest statistics released Tuesday by the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) show that 11,692 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2012, which represented a 6 percent spike from the previous year. The increase among women was 11 percent, the data showed.

According to the HPA, smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are both risk factors for lung cancer, while air pollution and exposure to cooking fumes can also cause lung cancer.

Tsai Chun-ming, director of the Division of Thoracic Oncology at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, however, said that the most direct cause of lung cancer is related to environmental factors such as air pollution and he urged the government to pay more attention to the problem.

Tsai also said that in recent years, the incidence of lung cancer has risen among people in the 30-40 age group, and in many cases, the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body by the time it is diagnosed.

According to the new statistics, the most common cancers in Taiwan are colon, lung, liver, breast and oral cancers, followed by prostate, gastric, skin, thyroid and esophageal cancers.

It is the first time that thyroid cancer has been included in the list of the 10 most prevalent types in Taiwan.

via Air pollution ‘largely responsible’ for rise in lung cancer cases in recent years: doctor – The China Post.

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Report: 15% of cancer cases in Haifa due to air pollution

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Respro® UK Ltd

Some 15 percent of all cancer cases in the Haifa Bay area can be attributed to air pollution, according to a new Health Ministry report. The report, which covers the decade from 1998 to 2007, says some 780 cases of cancer in the Haifa Bay area, including 30 children, were related to exposure to air pollution.

In particular, the ministry notes that there were increased instances in the Haifa Bay area relative to the rest of the country of lung cancer and bladder cancer, both associated with air pollution.

The assessment is part of an opinion paper recently issued by the Health Ministry to the Interior Ministry official who oversees objections to planned development and construction. The opinion paper was released as part of the continued discussion of objections submitted to the National Planning and Building Council against a plan to build a new fuel storage depot in the Haifa Bay.

Last month the ministry issued a report that stated the existence of a causative connection between air pollution and increased instances of cancer in the Haifa Bay area relative to other parts of the country. That report came following an objection submitted to a different plan, to expand the Haifa Bay area’s oil refineries.

It was in response to that report that the ministry was asked by the National Planning and Building Council’s objections committee to submit its findings in greater detail.

One of the two objections submitted at the time was by an environmental epidemiologist, Ella Naveh, a Haifa resident. Naveh said that the construction of the fuel depot will mean that larger quantities of fuel will be transported through the area, which will increase health risks to residents.

This week the Health Ministry provided a more detailed report, written by the head of its public health services, Prof. Itamar Grotto. Grotto reiterated information released in the past, that from 1998 to 2007, the risk of contracting any type of cancer was 16 percent greater in the Haifa area than elsewhere in the country. “Out of 4,860 cases of cancer, an estimated 780 were cases of excess morbidity in the Haifa region as a result of exposure to air pollution. For children aged 0–14, out of 60 cases of cancer, it may be estimated that approximately 30 cases were excess morbidity in the Haifa region as a result of air pollution,” Grotto wrote.

Grotto noted that in those same years, the risk of contracting lung cancer in Haifa was 29 percent higher than other parts of the country, and the risk of bladder cancer was 26 percent higher. According to Grotto, the difference cannot be attributed to smoking, because the rate of smoking in Haifa is not higher than in the rest of the country.

A few weeks ago an epidemiological study was launched in Haifa, led by the Haifa Region Association of Towns for Wastewater and Environmental Quality, the University of Haifa and the Health Ministry. The goal of the survey is to assess the extent of the connection between pollution and illness in the area. However, the Health Ministry decided not to wait for the results of the survey, but to release its report on the causative connection between pollution and illness, as well as to quote the figures.

via Report: 15% of cancer cases in Haifa due to air pollution – Nature & Environment – Israel News | Haaretz.

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UK Government faces Supreme Court hearing over Glasgow’s illegal air pollution

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Respro® UK Ltd

Environmental group ClientEarth is taking the UK Government to court over illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide in Glasgow and 15 other British cities and regions, in breach of EU limits.

This week’s hearing is the culmination of a four-year battle in UK and EU courts and follows last year’s ruling from the European Court of Justice which held that the UK must achieve air quality standards in the ‘shortest time possible’

The Government’s own estimates show that air quality in Glasgow will continue to break EU standards for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) until 2025 – 15 years after the original deadline.

Average levels of NO2 this year in the Glasgow Urban Area will be 74 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3) at the most polluted spots. The legal limit is 40 μg/m3.

A recent study by Friends of the Earth named Hope Street in Glasgow as Scotland’s most polluted street.

Air pollution has been linked to coronary artery disease, heart attacks and strokes, and has been blamed for causing more than 300 deaths per year in the city.

ClientEarth is calling on the Court to order the Government to produce a new plan showing how it will make cuts in air pollution in UK cities.

Alan Andrews, ClientEarth lawyer, said: “Politicians in Holyrood and Westminster need to work together to find a solution. Levels of pollution in Glasgow are not only harmful to health, they’re also illegal.”

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said they were making progress in partnership with councils.

She added: “Data shows that significant reductions in air pollutants have been achieved since 1990 and the action we are taking will secure further reductions.”

A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said: “The issues around air quality are often directed towards local authorities, but the really big policy drivers are in the hands of central or devolved government. Councils need to be given the appropriate powers and resources to address these issues.”

via UK Government faces Supreme Court hearing over Glasgow’s illegal air pollution | Herald Scotland.

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GREAT SMOG returns: As temperatures rocket UK faces even MORE toxic air from Continent

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Respro® UK Ltd

This week’s high temperatures will be bolstered by blasts of heat near the Continent

With thermometers poised to rise close to 80F the Government has issued another raft of pollution alerts.

Parts of the UK including Devon, Cornwall, London and the southeast will see levels creep up from tomorrow (Tuesday) towards a ‘high’ by the end of the week.

Once again people with breathing and heart problems have been warned to avoid outdoor activities and carry medication.

It comes as Britain prepares to bake in another early-summer heatwave with the mercury expected to rocket into the 70s.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is tipped to be the hottest day of the year so far beating the 21.9C (71F) recorded in London at the end of last week. Then Wednesday is predicted to get even warmer.

The warm weather is partly thanks again to high pressure dragging hot air in from France and Spain.

However it will be loaded small particles and chemicals thrown into the air from motor vehicles and fires.

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) warned Thursday and Friday will see the highest levels.

A spokesman said: “Light winds may allow high air pollution levels to accumulate across southeast England.

“Friday – further areas of high air pollution are possible, this time across southwest England as air from the Continent arrives.”

Chris Burton forecaster for The Weather Network, said the mercury will hit 77F (25C) by the day after tomorrow (Wednesday).

However he warned heavy downpours in the north and Scotland is likely to dump up to two inches of rain over the next two days.

He said: “25C is possible in a few places across southern England during Wednesday afternoon.”

It won’t be warm and sunny everywhere however, with Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England plagued with more cloud and outbreaks of rain through Tuesday and Wednesday.

“Some of the rain will be heavy, particularly across western Scotland where more than two inches (50mm) could fall over the next 48hrs.

“Pollution levels are expected to remain fairly low through Tuesday and Wednesday but as we go into Thursday and Friday, southern England could see elevated pollution levels as easterly winds drag heavily polluted air off the near Continent.

“Current forecast suggest pollution will be in the Moderate category through Thursday and Friday in southern England and south Wales with local pockets of High pollution.”

The Met Office said pollen levels are also set to hit ‘moderate’ this week meaning a double-whammy of misery for allergy sufferers.

Hay fever treatments have been flying off the shelves over the past week with the often cool and wet March blamed for a surge in symptoms.

Allergy expert Max Wiseberg of HayMax balms, said: “We have seen a large increase in sales compared to this time last year.

“There is definitely a rise in the number of people with symptoms, and consequently people buying treatments this early on.

“This is partly due to March being cool and then immediately warm soon afterwards causing birch trees to release high levels of pollen.”

Experts say air pollution, especially in London, kills around 4,000 people in the capital and almost 30,000 nationwide each year.

Allergy UK warned high levels of allergens and pollutants can trigger potentially fatal asthma attacks.

Clinical director Maureen Jenkins said: “Hay fever can bring on symptoms in people who suffer from asthma and this is made worse when pollution is high.

“Pollen and particles in the air cling together and have a joint effect, high pollution levels can certainly be a problem, especially in people with existing conditions.”

After today’s (Monday) brief lull in the fine weather Britain is about to enjoy another dose of early summer sunshine an blue skies.

Some long-range outlooks suggest the good weather could be here to stay right through until the end of June.

The Met Office is predicting temperatures of up to 77F (25C) in the south this week with highs of 16C (61F) elsewhere.

Under clear skies and sunshine it will feel close to 80F (27C) in the south – more than double the 11C average for the time of year.

This week’s high temperatures will be bolstered by blast of heat from the near Continent where pollution levels are forecast to hit ‘very high’.

The south will enjoy the best of the weather this week although the UV index, which indicates the sun’s strength, will push ‘5’ in sparking warnings to use suncream.

Temperatures double the average maximum (11C) this early in the month mean Britain could yet see the hottest April day in almost 70 years.

With more than a fortnight until the end of the month the mercury could top the 29.4C (84.94F) recorded in Camden, London, on April 16, 1949.

Defra said pollution levels will start to creep up tomorrow (Tuesday) with ‘low’ to ‘moderate’ levels forecast in central and eastern regions before hitting ‘high’ in the south on Thursday and Friday.

Met Office forecaster Dan Williams said: “Tuesday is likely to be the hottest day of the year so far and then Wednesday may top that again.

“We have a warm tropical maritime coming air mass coming in from the Azores with temperatures of 25C likely by mid week.

“There is also some warm air coming in from northern France.”

via GREAT SMOG returns: As temperatures rocket UK faces even MORE toxic air from Continent | Nature | News | Daily Express.

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Respro® Masks FAQ: I need the protection of the City™ mask, but would like the added comfort of the Sportsta™, is this possible?

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Respro® UK Ltd

I need the protection of the City™ mask, but would like the added comfort of the Sportsta™, is this possible?

Yes! The filters and valves used in both the City™ and the Sportsta™ masks are totally interchangeable.

For more FAQ,  see Respro® Mask FAQ

All Respro® products are available from our website respro.com

Respro® will ship your order to anywhere on the planet free of charge.

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Pollutionwatch: Groundhog spring

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Respro® UK Ltd

This spring is proving to be a repeat of last year. On 23 March, Paris banned odd number plate cars once again to bring particle pollution under control. As in 2014 this was accompanied by days of free public transport and reduced speed limits.

Once again the polluted air also covered most of the UK. Londoners experienced the top level of ten on the UK pollution scale on 17 March and levels between seven and nine were widespread; only the highlands of Scotland and north Wales escaped. Further particle pollution returned in early April. Warnings were provided for vulnerable people but no action was taken to control pollution sources.

NHS 111 and GP consultations for breathing problems increased last spring’s pollution episodes; there were around 1,600 extra GP consultations during the March episode and 2,700 in the April one.

Controlling air pollution would be helped if we knew which sources were the most harmful. To answer this question scientists traditionally compare measurements of one pollutant at a time to death and hospital statistics. But, in the real-world, we breathe a mixture of pollutants. Our spring pollution episodes have been dominated by so-called secondary particles that form when diesel exhaust, industrial pollution and agricultural emissions mix. These can drift over hundreds of kilometres. A new study from King’s College London separated days according to different pollutant mixtures and health data. Days dominated by secondary particles, such those in March and early April, were followed by 2% more deaths from breathing problems.

via Pollutionwatch: Groundhog spring | Environment | The Guardian.

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