Oxford Street revealed as worst place in the world for toxic pollutant nitrogen dioxide

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Respro® UK Ltd

Traders today said urgent action was needed to slash traffic levels after a report revealed Oxford Street has the highest levels of a toxic pollutant in the world.

The mayor is facing demands to reduce the build-up of the “wall of buses” after a monitor installed by scientists showed high levels of nitrogen dioxide – linked with asthma and heart attacks.

Levels peaked at 463 micrograms per cubic metre, while average day-and-night levels since the beginning of the year have been 135 – more than three times the EU’s safety limit.

Emissions scientist David Carslaw, from King’s College London, told the Sunday Times that the level of NO2, which is produced by diesel fumes that come from buses and taxis, was the highest in the world.

Richard Dickinson, chief executive of New West End Company which represents traders in Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street, said a reduction in traffic was essential.

He added: “We are working closely with the relevant London authorities to look at longer term traffic reduction initiatives and we are keen to see ideas rapidly put in place. Businesses in the West End want action.”

City Hall hit said it has already cut the number of buses on Oxford Street by a fifth.

It called reports claiming that London’s overall air pollution levels are higher than in Hong Kong, Rio, Moscow and New York were “misleading”.

People working in Oxford Street’s shops and stalls said they were worried about pollution levels along Britain’s busiest shopping street.

Ayaz Sohail, a worker at Sweet Touch snack stall next to Oxford Circus tube station, said: “I am aware that pollution is high in this area.

“The mayor has to do something. I don’t think they’re doing much about it.”

Pedicab driver James Anderson, 39, said: “I’m definitely worried about it but I think the Mayor is taking steps to deal with, by cutting the number of buses and putting in hybrid engines.

“My family hales from India originally. I can’t believe that London is more polluted than the cities out there, Delhi for instance.”

Awais Muhammed, 25, a worker at Souvenirs and Luggage on Oxford Street, said: “Only some of the buses are hybrid [electricity and diesel powered] on this street. They should make all the buses on here hybrid as soon as possible.”

At the Argyll Arms, Dan and Morgan Ferry, 27 and 26, from Notting Hill, called for Boris to ban all vehicles on Oxford Street.

Morgan, a librarian, said: “It was amazing over Christmas when the area was traffic free – perhaps it should be like that all year round.”

Dan added: “Britain is getting fined millions for missing targets to cut greenhouse emissions so I think we need radical action.”

But trainee solicitor Maria Gkikas, 25, from Bushy, Herts, sitting outside Cafe Nero, said: “The fumes not really that noticeable. It’s just part of living in a big city.”

A spokesman for the Mayor of London said: “Contrary to any misleading claims, London’s levels of air pollution are lower than many world cities. We know this because we are serious about monitoring pollution levels.

“To prevent severe episodes that cities like Beijing experience, the Mayor has overseen an ambitious package of measures including a comprehensive monitoring network which specifically target our most polluted areas.

“These measurements have led to the mayor reducing the number of buses on some of London’s busiest streets with high traffic congestion, like Oxford Street, and taking the most polluting buses and taxis off the road.

“This approach has already halved the number of Londoners living in areas above nitrogen dioxide (NO2) limits.

“The mayor is clear more needs to be done, which is why he has announced an Ultra Low Emission Zone in central London from 2020 which will be a world first game changer for the capitals air quality.”

via Oxford Street revealed as worst place in the world for toxic pollutant nitrogen dioxide – London – News – London Evening Standard.

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Respro® Masks FAQ: How long does the Bandit™ last before it needs replacing?

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Respro® UK Ltd

How long does the Bandit™ last before it needs replacing?

Under normal conditions the Bandit™ will provide the user with approximately six months protection. The Bandit incorporates D.A.C.C. which is specially coated so that it can be washed. It should be washed on a regular basis to maintain optimum performance. Immerse in a pan of boiling water (this releases the petroleum compounds pounds which are attracted to the D.A.C.C.) and leave to cool. Then wash in warm water using a non-automatic washing powder, rinse and leave to dry.

For more FAQ,  go to Respro® Mask FAQ

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Capital air quality among the best in Europe

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Respro® UK Ltd

AIR quality in the Capital is among the best in the European Union, a study by French environmental organisation Respire found.

Air pollution never exceeded “normal” levels with only Cluj-Napoca in Romania achieving the same level.

Edinburgh was ranked second in the list of 100 “larger” cities in the EU. Meanwhile Glasgow came in at number 29 with 33 days of below-average air quality levels.

The report said that Edinburgh narrowly missed out on the top spot by Cluj as the Romanian city had slightly lower average levels in the analysed air pollution indicators.

Other UK cities to make the top ten were Coventry, Cardiff and Manchester ranked third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Polluting factors of nitrous dioxide, small particles and ozone levels, were tested to determine the average number of days per year the air quality is below normal and potentially unhealthy to breathe.

Respire, which works to improve air quality across Europe, said there was little between the top two.

“Cluj-Napoca is in front of Edinburgh because it had a better annual average of nitrous dioxide (16 microgrammes per cubic metre to 24 microgrammes per m3).

“The difference is very low for ozone – 51 microgrammes per m3 in Edinburgh, 53 microgrammes per m3 in Cluj-Napoca.”

However, the researchers noted that the machines used to measure air pollution in Cluj were not as sensitive as in other areas of Europe and could have skewed the results.

The research, which was published in partnership with French magazine We Demain, rated London at 86th, ahead some of the worst performing of Sofia in Bulgaria and Milan in Italy, which suffered 320 and 272 days respectively of poor air quality.

Richard Dixon, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, questioned the report’s findings.

He said that the key pollution testing sites which are reported to Europe are not in the most polluted parts of Scotland’s cities.

“There are certainly cities in Europe with worse air pollution problems than Edinburgh and Glasgow, but this report gives a falsely reassuring picture,” he said.

“More than 2,000 people die each year in Scotland because of air pollution and both of
our biggest cities have official pollution zones where levels consistently break European and Scottish health standards. It is clearly no consolation that other places in Europe are worse off.

“We need much more action to reduce traffic levels if we are to solve the air pollution problems in urban areas.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “The Scottish Government takes air quality extremely seriously and we welcome this report, showing our capital city has the second-best air quality in the whole of Europe.

“By working with Scotland’s 32 local authorities, we continue to make progress. We have made significant reductions in air pollutants since 1990 and further decreases are predicted, given our knowledge of the likely impacts of investment.”

via Capital air quality among the best in Europe – Edinburgh Evening News.

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When Air Quality in Beijing and Shanghai is Least Awful

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Respro® UK Ltd

What is the best time of year to avoid air pollution in Beijing?

Some might say this is a trick question, given the notorious smog levels in China’s capital. But thanks to an analysis by China Real Time, as the summer holiday gets underway, we can safely advise air-quality-minded tourists to stay away for the next couple months. Spring and fall are the best times to visit.

Smog has helped discourage tourism to Beijing over the past year, with the number of overseas tourists falling 10% in 2013 from 2012, the official Xinhua news agencyreported earlier this week, citing a paper authored by the Beijing Tourism Society. Among the reasons, Xinhua said, was air pollution.

To produce our seasonal guide to Beijing air quality, CRT crunched historical data on Beijing’s air pollution from the U.S. State Department, which was gathered via a monitor installed at the U.S. Embassy in 2008. The State Department cautions the data hasn’t been fully verified or validated, as the readings come from one isolated monitoring station that frequently broke down in its early days.

Still, they provide plenty of insights. Based on data collected for 47,563 hours between April 2008 and April 2014 — roughly 89% of the hours over the past six years — Beijing’s annual concentration of tiny particulate matter, known as PM2.5, averages to 99 micrograms per cubic meter. That’s more than eight times the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s annual standard of 12 micrograms per cubic meter. High concentrations of PM2.5 — particles measuring less than 2.5 microns in length — increases risks for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as lung cancer, according to the World Health Organization.

However, some months in Beijing are better than others. Our analysis shows that visitors can enjoy relatively “cleaner” air in May, which has an average concentration of 85 micrograms per cubic meter. Avoid February, which has an average concentration of 122 micrograms per cubic meter.

“Meteorology plays a big role,” says Renyi Zhang, a professor of atmospheric sciences at Texas A&M University. Mr. Zhang says Beijing’s fall and spring often ushers in winds from the north that blow away air pollutants. Meanwhile, “the air is kind of stagnant in the winter and summer,” he says.

Another factor could be emissions from coal-fired power plants and other industrial activities, according to Mr. Zhang. Both summer and winter coincide with higher emissions from the burning of coal for heat and the use of electricity from coal-fired power plants for air conditioning, he says.

Visitors may also want to consider simply spending their vacation in Shanghai, which has a lower average annual PM2.5 concentration of 56 micrograms per cubic meter, based on our analysis of State Department data collected over the past three years.

When it comes to air pollution, Shanghai’s best season is the fall — particularly August, when the average concentration of PM2.5 is just 21 micrograms per cubic meter. Visitors should avoid Shanghai in December, when the average concentration rises to 92 micrograms per cubic meter, levels that are comparable to Beijing.

Mr. Zhang says the geography is the major reason why the two cities have such different air-pollution levels. Shanghai is close to the ocean, while Beijing is far from the coastline. “Shanghai’s wind predominantly comes from the ocean, which normally carries cleaner air,” he says.

via When Air Quality in Beijing and Shanghai is Least Awful – China Real Time Report – WSJ.

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Fireworks: Hazardous to air quality and health

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Respro® UK Ltd

Local air officials are reminding residents that Independence Day fireworks increase levels of dangerous particulate matter, posing a threat to air quality and health.

Fireworks emit large quantities of particulate matter, including soot, ash and metals. These can trigger serious health problems, especially in people with existing respiratory conditions, elderly people and small children, officials said.

Fine-particulate matter can invade the bloodstream and has been linked to heart attacks and strokes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, even short-term exposure to smoke can aggravate respiratory problems such as asthma attacks and acute bronchitis.

“Steps that people should take to avoid exposure to high levels of particulates produced by fireworks include staying away from fireworks as they are burned, such as staying inside,” San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District spokeswoman Janelle Schneider said via email.

Asked if common dust masks available in hardware stores offer protection, she said, “the air district is not expert on their use or effectiveness.” But she referenced an EPA document that says, “Paper ‘comfort’ or ‘dust’ masks … are designed to trap large particles, such as sawdust. These masks generally will not protect your lungs from the fine particles in smoke.”

High levels of particulate matter can also jeopardize the Valley’s progress in meeting air-quality standards set to protect public health.

“We’re appealing to Valley residents to think about the impact of fireworks on their personal health and their neighbors’ health,” Jaime Holt, the air district’s chief communications officer, said in a news release. “Each year, people suffer from serious health consequences of activities that are entirely preventable.”

Officials urge residents to refrain from lighting fireworks because air quality in the Valley during summer is already burdened by ozone pollution. Fireworks emissions add to what already may be poor air quality.

Air monitors throughout the Valley show a typical increase in particulate matter pollution every year following fireworks displays.

“The return to low particulate levels can vary depending on other factors that surround fireworks use, such as stagnant atmosphere or other events (wildfires, etc.),” Schneider said. “In Fresno last year, PM2.5 (fine particles) levels rocketed up to extremely unhealthy around 11 p.m. but fell back to low levels within a couple of hours. However, there are no guarantees as to the behavior of PM from fireworks as extenuating circumstances vary from city to city.

“The most important message we wish to emphasize is that it is far easier to maintain acceptable air quality by not lighting fireworks in the first place.”

Residents can check local air quality data through the Air District’s Real-time Air Advisory Network found at http://www.valleyair.org/RAAN.

via Fireworks: Hazardous to air quality and health | Local News | Merced Sun-Star.

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Electric Vehicles Used To Cause, Measure Pollution In Leicester

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Respro® UK Ltd

Today, scientists from the University of Leicester are driving the streets in electric vehicles (EV’s) fitted with specialized air monitoring sensors, with the intention of measuring the extent of air pollution in city environments. 

Where do electric vehicles get their electricity? From fossil-fuels that create pollution, using resources less efficiently than gasoline-powered engines.  Like with the head of the American EPA flying all over the country during Earth Week, the irony is not lost on the group, who instead weighed the issues and unsurprisingly decided what they wanted to do was going to bring more benefit than harm.

Cenex, the UK’s First Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell technologies, specializes in bringing new low and zero emission vehicle technologies to UK roads and designed and installed special sensors into EV’s that can measure pollutant concentrations around the city. The information from these sensors will provide insight into the quality of the air we inhale in polluted urban areas. 

A charging point for the Cenex branded Mercedes Smart EV’s will be installed on the University’s campus as a pilot study. The objective is to encourage and facilitate future uptake of EV’s by staff and students. Additional charging points will be installed on the University’s campus in the future. 

Dr. Roland Leigh from the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Leicester, who is leading the project, said: “Electric vehicles are part of the solution to urban air quality issues. A mobile air quality monitoring platform, such as a specially designed electric car, is highly valuable to the scientific study of urban air quality. 

“By monitoring air quality as a seamless part of our daily transport system, we are providing a cost-effective way to help inform future policy and operational systems.” 

Tim Yates, Deputy Director of Estates in the Estates and Facilities Management Division at the University of Leicester, said: “The installation of these charging points will go a long way in encouraging the purchase and wider use of electric vehicles. When someone wants to charge their private vehicle they will be issued with a card and PIN number enabling them to access the charging point on Campus and pay for the electricity used. 

“These points will be the first of several across the University campus and as the take-up of electric vehicles increases, so the demand for charging points will also increase. The wider availability of charging points means more people will consider buying an electric vehicle. 

“The University already uses six electric vehicles in its business fleet and we are looking to expand this over the next year or two as the pressure to reduce carbon emissions increases along with the need to seek savings in fleet fuel costs.”

“Zero emission vehicles such as electric cars are vital in measuring the quality of air in urban environments, as they do not add further emissions of nitrogen dioxide and other key pollutants, which will allow for a more accurate reading of gathered data,” added Dr Roland Leigh. “It is important that we establish how polluted our cities are based on current transportation methods and develop new ways in which we can travel to enable more sustainable cities in the future.”

Robert Evans, CEO of Cenex said, “Cenex is excited to be working with the University of Leicester on this particular project, urban air quality continues to remain high on the political agenda and a major public health concern. In order to help bridge the gap between road users and the uptake of EV’s, there needs to be a greater understanding of the environmental and economic advantages zero emission vehicles can bring. We have no doubt the results of this project will add to the public understanding of air pollution and further encourage the adoption of zero emissions vehicles.”

The research has received funding from the Natural Environment Research Council’s Knowledge Exchange budget.

The electric cars will be launched on Friday 4 July and will be driven around Leicester. They will be measuring air quality during everyday work for the project team including the installation and maintenance of the static air quality monitoring network.

via Electric Vehicles Used To Cause, Measure Pollution In Leicester.

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Nairobi’s polluted air doles out constant flu

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Respro® UK Ltd

Everybody talks about pollution of water in Nairobi all the time. Nobody, at any time, talks about pollution of the air around Nairobi. But they need to, especially if they were to know the extent to which the seemingly clear and colourless air is polluted. Some people may have a clue of how bad things are. In the morning or evening as you approach the city centre from afar, instead of tall buildings and bright lights, they see a dimly lit city struggling to be seen through a misty cloud that engulfs it.

It is visually horrifying but not enough cause for worry because soon after seeing the cloud of mist, they will be lost in it, able to see just a few metres ahead.

Here is why air pollution in Nairobi should worry you: According to the World Health Organisation WHO, the normal level of fine dust which is a significant health threat is five times higher in Nairobi than that in countries like Sweden.

This already high percentage gets higher as one enters the central business district. But it is not only the dust that Nairobi residents need to worry about.

There is also the exhaust gas from vehicles and gases from industries and factories. These gases include carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide.To these impurities, add smoke, lead and suspended particulates like pollen grains from flowers.

via Standard Digital News : : Lifestyle – Nairobi’s polluted air doles out constant flu.

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EEA: EU ecosystems still damaged by air pollution

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Respro® UK Ltd

Airborne chemicals, such as Sulphur dioxide, still pose a threat to the EU’s plant and animal life, despite policies to reduce the pollutants over the past few decades, according to the European Environment Agency.

The EU continues to emit unsustainable amounts of Sulphur dioxide (Sox), one of the main causes of acidification, acid rain and Nitrogen, which can cause eutrophication.

Acid rain gained attention in the 1970s, for destroying forests and killing fish, such as brown trout and Atlantic Salmon.

Eutrophication, caused by the excess use of certain fertilisers or sewage leaks, can damage ecosystems by creating more favourable conditions for certain plants, in phenomena such as algael bloom.

About 60% of EU ecosystems are affected by eutrophication, compared to their peak of 80% in 1990, according to the EEA report, published yesterday (30 June).

Hans Bruyninckx, the EEA’s executive director, said: “Although air pollution does not cause as much harm as it once did, we are still struggling to protect sensitive ecosystems from harmful effects as eutrophication”, adding, “It is particularly striking that the problem appears to be just as bad in Europe’s protected natural areas.”

The level of SOx emissions have fell 84% between 1990 and 2012. Today around 5% of EU ecosystems are affected by acidification. In 1880, almost half of the EU’s most sensitive ecosystems were exposed to excess SOx.

via EEA: EU ecosystems still damaged by air pollution | EurActiv.

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