UK faces European court over coal plant emissions

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Respro® UK Ltd

Brussels will haul the UK into court for breaching emissions limits of the toxic pollutant nitrogen dioxide (NOx) at its coal-fired Aberthaw power plant in Wales, the bloc announced on Thursday.

The Aberthaw plant in the Vale of Glamorgan is currently operating under a permit allowing emissions of 1200mg of NOx per normal cubic metre (Nm3) – more than twice the 500mg limit set out in the EU’s large combustion plant directive.

Toxic fumes from Britain’s coal plants alone are responsible for 1,600 premature deaths a year and health costs from related damage to respiratory systems have been estimated as high as as €3.7bn (£2.7bn) a year.

Molly Scott Cato, the Green MEP for South West England and Gibraltar said: “This is further evidence of the government’s refusal to take air quality seriously and another nail in the coffin of their claim to be the greenest government ever.”.

Doug Parr, Greenpeace’s chief UK scientist added: “It’s becoming increasingly clear that burning dirty coal is incompatible not just with our carbon reduction targets but with efforts to clean up our air too. The leaders of the next government need to keep their promises and get on with the job of phasing out unabated coal within the next decade.”

NOx emissions are a key component in ground-level ozone and a cause of acid rain, which damages forests, waterways and historic buildings. They can also cause ‘eutrophication’ which threatens biodiversity through the excessive growth of plants like algae.

The UK is planning new investments to upgrade the Aberthaw power station, and has been working “constructively” on the issue, the commission says. But a deadline to implement the emissions-cutting directive passed seven years ago, and Brussels ran out of patience.

It would now be “impossible” for Aberthaw to meet a stricter power plants NOx emissions limit of 200mg which is due to come into force next year under the industrial emissions directive, a commission spokesperson said.

“The UK came to us with a national transition plan, showing how they wanted to reach the next directive’s target. But they did not give enough evidence that what they presented would translate into real life,” the official said.

In a separate move, the commission also said that it would take the UK to the European court over its poor treatment of urban waste water in 17 localities, which pose a threat to human health, inland waters and the marine environment.

Four municipal regions were found to have inadequate treatments of waste water – Banchory, Stranraer, Ballycastle, and Clacton – while one, Gibraltar, had no treatment plant at all.

In 10 other regions, waste water discharged into freshwaters and estuaries failed to meet the higher standards set for such sensitive sites. These were: Lidsey, Tiverton, Durham, Chester-le-Street, Winchester Central and South, Islip, Broughton Astley, Chilton, Witham and Chelmsford.

“All communities in the UK deserve access to proper waste treatment that protects local rivers, biodiversity and human health,” said Catherine Bearder, the Liberal Democrat MEP for south-east England. “It is about time effective action was taken to ensure water companies and local authorities clean up their act.”

According to the EU, nearly half of all surface waters on the continent are unlikely to achieve the bloc’s ‘good ecological status’ target for 2015.

The two separate infringement cases against the UK are expected to come to court before March 2017. There will be a UK supreme court hearing into a separate British infringement of EU air pollution laws on 16 April.

A government spokesperson said it would continue to work with the European commission: “Air quality has improved significantly in recent decades – we have invested £2bn since 2011 to continue this.

“We are tackling emissions from industrial sources by setting stringent limits for industrial installations, including coal power stations – Aberthaw Power Station is also investing to meet future emission limits set by the EU. It would be inappropriate to comment on this case further while infraction proceedings are underway.”

via UK faces European court over coal plant emissions | Environment | The Guardian.

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Only radical action can help tackle London’s air pollution crisis

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Respro® UK Ltd

There is an air pollution emergency happening in this city, and the Government is failing to get a handle on it.

The latest evidence of this health crisis, released yesterday by scientists at the University of Edinburgh, points to the increased risk of strokes during smog episodes such as the one that hit the capital last week. These findings, on top of the fact that 29,000 people die prematurely every year in the UK because of air pollution, reveal the gravity of the situation we’re facing.

Of course the air pollution problem in London isn’t new — many people I’ve spoken to in Holborn and St Pancras have been affected by poor air quality for years.

When the dreadful settings of the traffic lights on Euston Road trap me as a pedestrian in the middle of the traffic for minutes, I can feel the effects on my own wellbeing.

But against mounting evidence, the empty words of ministers and half-hearted approach of the Mayor of London look increasingly reckless.

It’s clear that half-measures simply aren’t good enough. The Mayor’s policies have ranged from daft (sticking pollution to the road) to ineffective (insufficient Ultra Low Emissions Zones). Meanwhile, central government’s response to the crisis has been to focus on cutting “red tape” — a move which campaigners say could lead to the closure of thousands of pollution monitoring stations.

During the last smog episode the Government rightly urged those with health problems to stay indoors. But nobody should be forced to stay indoors because of air pollution. We need to look at radical measures to tackle air pollution at source.

The official health advice is that anyone experiencing discomfort, listed as sore eyes, coughing, chest pain or a sore throat, should consider reducing activity, particularly outdoors. But what if someone is a construction worker — a labourer, someone on a zero-hours contract and just can’t afford, in every sense of that word, to allow our unacceptable air quality to threaten their lives as well as their livelihood? It’s not that easy to call your boss and say “sorry, too dangerous for me today”.

In Paris, for example, the authorities made public transport free during a smog episode. Measures such as this should be considered during smog episodes in Britain.

The fact is that we shouldn’t need “emergency measures” to cut air pollution, we have to cut levels permanently. We should be looking to cut the amount of motorised vehicles, particularly those using diesel, on our city-centre roads and move towards cleaner transport. The electric taxis being announced are a welcome step. Finally, we need to reduce fares on public transport by redirecting the billions earmarked for spending on new roads.

The Government’s inaction on air pollution is inexcusable, and follows a general trend from the Establishment parties of side-lining issues such as climate change and air quality. The time has come for the Government to recognise the fundamental link between our environment and our quality of life, and to start taking this health crisis seriously.

There should be real ambition and determination to solve the source of the problem — not just to tell Londoners that it’s too bad, it’s unhealthy out there today, and to stay indoors.

via Natalie Bennett: Only radical action can help tackle London’s air pollution crisis – Comment – Comment – London Evening Standard.

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How Air Pollution Affects Babies in the Womb

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Respro® UK Ltd

A new study finds evidence that prenatal exposure to common pollutants can contribute to hyperactivity, aggression and more in kids

In the latest study on the subject, published in JAMA Psychiatry, researchers for the first time pinpointed exactly which areas of the brain are affected if a baby is exposed to car exhaust and the byproducts of burning home heating oil. These polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have previously been linked to developmental delays, lower verbal IQ. signs of anxiety depression and problems with attention. But researchers haven’t been able to identify which areas of the brain are most vulnerable.

In this study, they recruited 40 mothers and their children living in the inner city who were participating in an ongoing study of pollution’s effect on development. They were selected because they had low exposure to environmental factors other than PAHs that could affect development, such as tobacco smoke, lead, insecticides and other chemicals. Based on measurements of PAH in their surroundings, about half of the mothers had PAH exposures below the median of those in the larger group, and half had PAH exposures higher than the median.

“The effects were extraordinarily powerful,” says Dr. Bradley Peterson, director of the Institute for the Developing Mind at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and lead author of the study. “The more prenatal exposure to PAH, the bigger the white matter problems the kids had. And the bigger the white matter problems, the more severe symptoms of ADHD, aggression and slow processing they had on cognitive tasks.”

White matter is made up of the fibrous connections between nerve cells and is critical to helping neurons from one part of the brain communicate with their counterparts in other regions, and the babies with the highest exposure to PAH in the womb showed a dramatically lower volume of white matter in the left side of their brains. The entire left hemisphere, from the front to the back, was affected. “You would assume that an environmental exposure brought in by the blood and circulating to the brain would affect both sides of the brain,” says Peterson. “But the adverse effects of PAHs is located on one side; that’s surprising.”

The asymmetrical effect speaks volumes about how PAHs target brain tissue. Like other neurotoxins, they may preferentially seek out actively developing tissue. During gestation, the left side of the brain, which houses language capabilities, may be undergoing more intense structural changes in preparation for birth. This was supported by the fact that in the larger group of children in the study, those who were exposed to PAHs around age five didn’t show the same left-sided bias; in the older children, the pollutants affected both sides equally because the right hemisphere of the brain is undergoing active development at that time as well.

Peterson suspects that the connection between PAHs and later behavioral and cognitive symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity and slow processing speed may be due to how PAHs disrupt the normal communication between nerves in the left side of the brain and elsewhere.

The problem, he admits, is that moms-to-be can’t easily change where they live or work. And most people aren’t aware of how many PAHs they absorb on a daily basis. There are ways to minimize the risk of exposure, however. Expectant mothers can avoid secondhand smoke, a major source of the compounds. Not directly inhaling exhaust from cars on busy streets or smoke from fireplaces can also help, as can spending as much time as possible in parks or other areas free of burning fuels. It won’t eliminate the risk from living in an inner city and being surrounded by car emissions, but it can help, Peterson says. “Even if you can reduce your exposure from moderately high to moderate levels, it’s going to have a beneficial effect on the developing fetus,” he says.

via How Air Pollution Affects Babies in the Womb | TIME.

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Air pollution ‘link to stroke risk’

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Respro® UK Ltd

Air pollution is linked to an increased risk of stroke, a large global study in the British Medical Journal suggests.

Scientists say even short-term spikes in pollution were mirrored by a rise in strokes – particularly in low and middle-income countries.

The work builds on earlier studies linking pollution to cardiovascular risk.

UK experts say although pollution is lower in the developed world, it may still pose a significant risk.

Pollution peaks

Parts of the UK are breaching pollution limits set by the European Union in 2010.

And the UK government says some major cities may well continue to do so until at least 2025.

The European Environment Agency warns that air pollution can lead to major illness and contribute to premature deaths.

The latest study looked specifically at the risk of stroke. Scientists from Edinburgh University scoured the results of 94 studies covering 28 countries across the world.

They say the trends were consistent – a short-term rise in pollution was associated with a rise in the number of people admitted to hospital for strokes and in stroke deaths.

The link was the strongest in low and middle-income countries and on the day people were exposed to high pollution.

The review looked at a range of possible pollutants – from gases such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide to fine soot particles known as PM 2.5.

Dr Anoop Shah, lead author of the study, said: “This study now demonstrates that even short-term exposure to air pollution can trigger disabling strokes or death from stroke.

“One of the key differences between risk of stroke due to air pollution and other risk factors such as smoking or high blood pressure is that the whole general population is exposed.

“As such, this increased risk of stroke is in the general population and not just those previously thought to be at high risk.”

But Dr Shamim Quadir at the Stroke Association said more work was needed to establish how strong this link is and whether or not air pollution could be considered as a risk factor for stroke.

Level check

The British Heart Foundation, which funded the study, says there is an urgent need for the UK government to meet pollution targets.

It says failure to do so could be putting hundreds of thousands of people at risk – though further research is needed to confirm this estimate.

The charity suggests people with heart conditions or lung disease should monitor air pollution where they live and work.

via Air pollution ‘link to stroke risk’ – BBC News.

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Driving ban on half Paris motorists after air pollution briefly tops Shanghai

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Respro® UK Ltd

Paris on Monday imposed a partial driving ban and made public transport free in an attempt to cut noxious smog, after pollution levels briefly surpassed that of Shanghai last week.

Authorities announced that all cars with plates ending in even numbers must stay off the roads on Monday, after days of political wrangling over how to tackle the high amount of harmful particles shrouding Paris.

Anne Hidalgo, the Socialist mayor, had wanted to impose the ban last week after lack of wind or rain and cold nights helped push up pollution levels.

According to Plume Labs, Paris for a few hours last week hit 127 in its air pollution index chart of 60 cities, with Shanghai in second place on 106 and London on 91.

However, the government of fellow Socialists refused, reportedly so as not to annoy suburban voters ahead of Sunday’s local elections.

Lorries are being asked to drive around the capital while a maximum speed limit of 20 kilometres per hour is in force in a bid to cut levels of dangerous micro-particles.

Motorists unauthorised to drive face a €22 (£16) fine and being told to leave their car where it is or see it impounded.

Commercial, electric or hybrid cars are all exempt, as are those carrying at least three people. Use of Autolibs, Paris’ low cost rental electric cars, is free for the first hour for subscribers.

The ban came after a strong prevalence of particles with a diameter of less than 10 microns, or PM10.

These are the most monitored as the smaller and lighter a particle is, the longer it stays in the atmosphere and can remain suspended for weeks. They can also lead to asthma, allergies and respiratory ailments.

The safe limit for PM10 is set at 80 microgrammes per cubic metre (mcg/m3).

Some 750 police officers were stationed on roads leading in to the capital to stop drivers flouting the ban. While many motorists with even number plates were still on the roads – often reportedly telling police they had “not watched the news” – traffic levels were definitely below normal.

Similar emergency measures were last implemented almost exactly a year ago – on March 17 – during a particularly bad spike in smog. The operation saw pollution drop but Ségolène Royal, the ecology minister said a more global response was necessary.

The partial ban will be lifted on Tuesday, as winds are due to pick up.

According to 2011 World Health Organisation figures, Ahwaz, in southwesternIran, far outstrips infamously polluted cities like New Delhi or Beijing, with 372 parts per million of PM10. Beijing, by comparison, was on 121 parts per million, Paris on 38 and London on 29.

via Driving ban on half Paris motorists after air pollution briefly tops Shanghai – Telegraph.

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South-East Asian haze increases risk of respiratory mortality

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Respro® UK Ltd

Research has shown a significant association between haze events in South-East Asia and mortality rates caused by respiratory illness on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia.

Research has shown a significant association between haze events in South-East Asia and mortality rates caused by respiratory illness on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia.

Since 1997, the massive burning of biomass in Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia, has affected neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Southern Thailand. The burning of biomass has generated a significant amount of haze that travels overseas, affecting the region’s economy and public health.

Haze resulting from forest fires is known to increase the concentration of toxic airborne particles that are smaller than ten microns in size, such as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. Previous studies have found that airborne particles can cause serious respiratory effects. In 1997, South-East Asian haze increased the number of asthma attacks by 10.7% in Malaysia alone.

Professor Mazrura Sahani, an environmental epidemiology expert at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, recently conducted a follow-up study on this issue focusing on Klang Valley, the most populated and most affected area on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia. She analysed the association between mortality rates from respiratory illness in Klang Valley and 88 days of recorded haze events from 2000 to 2007. Haze events typically last for seven days.

Professor Sahani collected respiratory mortality data from Malaysia’s Department of Statistics and obtained environmental data from six continuous air quality monitoring stations in Klang Valley. Her results showed that South-East Asian haze has increased the risk of respiratory mortality in Klang Valley as a result of increased exposure to toxic particles during the haze days. By the sixth day of a haze event, daily mortality rates were higher than normal.

According to Professor Sahani, this finding indicates the need for local public health authorities to provide appropriate health advice during haze episodes. The most vulnerable or sensitive groups to air pollution are children, adult females, the elderly, and those with underlying respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. She also stresses the need for international cooperation to reduce biomass burning given the serious public health problems this causes.

In 2015, Professor Sahani plans to study other health risks associated with air pollution and haze on the affected community. In addition, she will focus on determining the toxicity of the constituents of haze pollution in Malaysia.

via South-East Asian haze increases risk of respiratory mortality — ScienceDaily.

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‘Idling’ motorists in Westminster to face £20 fines

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Respro® UK Ltd

Motorists in Westminster who sit in a stationary car with the engine running and refuse to turn it off are to be fined £20.

The move reflects concerns from local residents and businesses about air quality, Westminster City Council said.

A team of traffic marshals will patrol the borough and ask car owners with stationary vehicles to switch off their engines, the council said.

The penalties will come into force on 1 May, as a “last resort”.

The new policy follows Camden Council’s fines for buses which idle for too long, introduced in 2011.

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said the “key issue” would be how the marshals enforced the fines.

He said: “If they target private car drivers pulling up for a moment in relatively clean, modern cars in a draconian way – whilst ignoring old buses, coaches, large trucks, utility company vans or taxis idling for long periods – then it will quickly be seen as yet another revenue-raising exercise.”

via BBC News – ‘Idling’ motorists in Westminster to face £20 fines.

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The potency of airborne allergens may be boosted by air pollution

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Respro® UK Ltd

It often appears as if allergic conditions are worsened by air pollution. The American Chemical Society has reported via Newswise on March 22, 2015, that air pollutants could boost the potency of common airborne allergens. Air pollutants associated with climate change could also be a primary contributor to the unparalleled increase in the number of people who are seen sneezing, sniffling and wheezing during allergy season.

Researchers have said that the gases nitrogen dioxide and ground-level ozone appear to set off chemical changes in certain airborne allergens which could increase their potency. It is this finding coupled with changes in the global climate conditions which may help explain why airborne allergies have been becoming more common.

Ulrich Pöschl, Ph.D., of the Max Planck Institute in Germany, says that it has long been suspected by scientists that air pollution and climate change are involved in the increasing prevalence of allergies across the world. However, understanding the underlying chemical processes which have been behind this phenomenon has proven to be elusive. Dr. Pöschl goes on to say his groups new research is beginning to suggest how chemical modifications in allergenic proteins happen and how this may affect allergenicity.

Christopher Kampf, Ph.D. says this research shows that chemical modifications of allergenic proteins may play a significant role in the increasing prevalence of allergies across the world. It is anticipated that with increasing levels of these pollutants there will be more of these protein modifications and these modifications will be seen to affect the allergenic potential of the protein.

The National Institutes of Health has written on the connection between air pollution and allergens. It has been observed that the prevalence of allergic diseases has been increasing in recent decades in the industrialized world. Researchers believe that exposure to environmental pollutants may partially explain this increased prevalence. There is actually significant scientific evidence to show that air pollution increases exposure to allergens. It is clear air pollution is a growing public health problem which may be making life more miserable than ever for people suffering from allergies.

via The potency of airborne allergens may be boosted by air pollution – National health | Examiner.com.

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