Air board has allies in diesel pollution crackdown: Truckers

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Respro® UK Ltd

As state air pollution officials step up inspections of diesel exhaust from big rigs, some of their best allies are truckers themselves.

They are pushing the Air Resources Board to enforce pollution rules more aggressively for trucks in advance of a Jan. 1 deadline.

Truckers are also the No.1 tipsters, placing anonymous calls and sending emails to finger competitors they say are gaining an unfair advantage by not upgrading their engines or installing expensive filters that capture harmful diesel particulates before they are released into the air.

Diesel exhaust is the worst remaining pollution source on roadways. It contains smog-forming nitrogen oxides and fine particles — soot — that lodge deep in the lungs and are linked to lung and heart disease, asthma and cancer. Diesel soot was classified as a toxic air contaminant by the state in 1998.

Air quality officials say it accounts for 85% of Southern California’s cancer risk from air pollution.

The regulations being phased in over the next decade are the nation’s toughest and target the nearly 1 million diesel trucks that operate in the state.

By Jan. 1, about 50,000 more heavy diesel trucks — including those of the smallest fleets, owner-operators and independent drivers that make up the bulk of the industry — will have to install diesel particulate filters or upgrade to newer, cleaner engines.

The industry says the rules are not being enforced strongly enough.

“Companies have invested millions of dollars only to be undercut by carriers that are choosing not to comply because they figure they won’t get caught,” said Michael Shaw, a spokesman for the California Trucking Assn. “Without additional investment in enforcement … there’s little chance the Air Resources Board is going to do more than scratch the surface.”

The agency sends about 20 enforcement staffers a day to conduct field inspections of trucks around the state. They target truck fleets and major transportation corridors, including the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, the Central Valley and the U.S.-Mexico border. Fines range from few hundred to thousands of dollars.

“Resources are limited, and for a lot of this we expect the deterrent effect,” said Paul Jacobs, chief of diesel enforcement for the Air Resources Board. “We’ll have an enforcement presence, but we’re not going to get everyone.”

Most trucks pass the inspections. In the first six months of 2013, the agency conducted 3,098 inspections for the diesel truck rules and issued 378 citations, for a compliance rate of 88%.

That could dip once new requirements take effect.

“At the end of this year, there are going to be a lot of people clambering to try to get into compliance,” said Matt Schrap, president of California Fleet Solutions, a company that helps trucking firms meet air quality regulations. “Some guys are probably just going to turn in the keys or keep operating until the ARB catches them.”

California’s rules, approved in 2008, faced stiff opposition from truckers and were relaxed two years later to give the industry more time to comply. But the rules put the state on track to slash emissions from diesel trucks 90% over the next decade and avoid 3,500 premature deaths, according to the Air Resources Board.

State officials estimate that trucking companies will pay $2.2 billion to comply with the rules through 2023. The industry says it is spending much more, about $1 billion a year, to replace trucks and install particulate filters, which can cost more than $10,000 per truck.

Environmental groups laud air quality officials for boosting the number of inspectors in recent years and helping truckers access grants and loans to upgrade their rigs. As the rules kick in, they hope to see air quality improve and rates of respiratory illness ease in neighborhoods near heavy truck traffic.

“Millions of people are exposed in these hot-spot areas and need the relief,” said Diane Bailey, senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Likely to see some of the sharpest drops in exposure to diesel pollution are truckers, she added. “They will gain the most in terms of public health protections.”

That’s perhaps one reason scrap truck driver Carlos Resendiz was not particularly upset when he was stopped at a roadside inspection at the Port of Los Angeles last month. Inspectors wrote out a ticket for a missing engine label, which carries a $300 minimum fine for the company that owns the vehicle.

“The idea is not to pollute the air,” Resendiz said in Spanish, “so I’m OK with it.”

via Air board has allies in diesel pollution crackdown: Truckers – latimes.com.

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Solid particles from outside add to pollution in Delhi air

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Respro® UK Ltd

Delhi’s not the only culprit. A recent study by Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, has found that the city’s emissions, though considerable, are not alone responsible for the sudden peaks in particulate matter (PM 10) levels in it. Far-off sources in north India or even beyond India (within Asia) may be contributing as much as 24% of PM 10. And on days when PM 10 concentration is very high here, only about 11% of it may have been contributed by polluting sources within Delhi.

The study, published online in the Atmospheric Research Pollution journal, has used a chemical transport model to interpret Delhi’s PM 10 levels from June 2010 values to assess how much of it was caused due to emissions within the capital. The data was mapped on four geopolitical domains—Asia, India, north India and Delhi.

The team found that contribution from sources in Delhi alone was about 11% to 41% and a major proportion (59% to 89%) was from sources outside Delhi. While this may seem like a wide range, it was found that, on days when PM 10 concentrations were low in Delhi, the contribution from sources within Delhi was higher (41.5%). But on days when PM 10 concentration was very high (over 500 micrograms per cubic metre), the contribution from Delhi was only about 11%, from north India and surrounding areas about 69.2%, and from outside India about 19.6%.

The study, however, doesn’t focus on specific areas outside Delhi affecting its air quality. “We will assess the sources in another study. These are likely to be areas with large thermal power plants and big polluting industries,” says Manju Mohan, professor at Centre for Atmospheric Sciences, IIT Delhi, who co-authored the study with PhD scholar Medhavi Gupta.

“Sudden peaks in PM 10 levels cannot be due to domestic sources. The peaks are a result of pollutants traveling from a long distance. It may take up to a couple of days for polluting particles from outside to reach Delhi,” adds Mohan.

Experts say the findings indicate that we need strict pollution norms for the entire region. “Delhi is already contributing to a huge amount of air pollution which needs to be mitigated. Along with that, we need similar strict norms for all cities and towns. That is why we are talking of an air pollution action plan for NCR and not just for Delhi. Even towns like Meerut should have the same norms,” says Anumita Roy, Executive Director-Research and Advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment.

via Solid particles from outside add to pollution in Delhi air – The Times of India.

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Respro® Masks FAQ: Can the mask be washed?

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Respro® UK Ltd

Can the mask be washed?

It is recommended that you wash the neoprene shell of the mask every month under normal use. To do this it is necessary to remove the filter and the valve first. Although spare valves and filters are available from your retailer, please be careful not to misplace any of the components during maintenance.

For more FAQ,  see Respro® Mask FAQ

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Utah Air Quality

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Respro® UK Ltd

Extremely poor air quality routinely suffered by nearly all Utahns who live in metropolitan areas has become a critical public health issue. As a result of its unique geography, prevailing weather patterns, which are feeling the effects of climate change, and an urban structure that requires large-scale commuting, air pollution levels in many Utah cities have never been higher. Air quality across Utah population centers during the winter of 2012-13 will undoubtedly be recorded as the most toxic in recent history.

Working to improve Utah’s air is now the top priority of more than 15 NGO and public health organizations. Tragically, state political and business leadership continue to avoid any action that in their view, could have a negative effect on economic development while ignoring the fact that air pollution in and of itself is a serious detriment to economic development.

Recent data related to air pollution in Utah presents the following:

A recent Forbes magazine study ranked Salt Lake City as the ninth most toxic city in the United States (Forbes Magazine, 2/28/11). Of these top 10 most toxic, SLC has the highest Toxic Release Inventory.

The American Lung Association gives Salt Lake County a rank of “F” for the two most important components of air pollution, ozone and particulate matter (PM2.5).

Salt Lake County is officially classified by the EPA as “non-attainment” with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10, PM2.5, SO2.

Air pollution monitors recently installed in the Uintah Basin measured ozone concentrations exceeding federal health standards more than 68 times in the first three months of 2010. Air pollution exacerbates existing asthma in adults and children and causes asthma and respiratory infections in those who are not otherwise predisposed.

Air pollution increases the incidence of SIDS, low birth weight syndrome, premature birth, and infant mortality.

Air pollution increases the incidence of the most common forms of childhood cancers, especially leukemia.

Air pollution increases genetic damage in newborns, which may lead to increased morbidities as an adult including heart disease, strokes, diabetes and cancers. These genetic aberrancies can be passed on to subsequent generations.

Air pollution increases rates of sudden death, heart attacks and strokes. It increases blood pressure and shortens life expectancy. Using the formula published by the American Heart Association, between 1,000 and 2,000 Utahns die prematurely annually because of air pollution.

Despite alarming statistics and mounting public pressure, state leaders continue to support a development-focused agenda that only acts to exacerbate air pollution:

Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) approval to expand Kennecott mine operations by 32% (Kennecott is already the largest static source polluter in the Salt Lake valley).

DEQ approval to increase the capacity of the Salt Lake oil refineries.

2013 legislative bills aimed at cutting the budget of the DEQ and eliminating the DAQ.

Unnecessary speed limit increases on Interstate highways.

Steps to decrease the number of energy efficient cars permitted in HOV lanes while increasing the numbers of those who buy permits.

Adoption of a voluntary-only pollution model, UCAIR that depends entirely on individual action to meet EPA standards.

Failure of the legislative majority to initiate any bills aimed at reducing air pollution.

Failure to develop a State Implementation Plan (SIP) for air quality that meets current EPA standards.

Continue to push forward plans to extend the West Davis (formerly Legacy) Parkway.

Relocating the Utah State prison for real estate development at a cost of $500-600M.

Continuing to push for more fossil fuel extraction, dependence on coal-burning power plants and only modest support for renewable energy development—Utah ranks last of all western states.

continue reading Utah Air Quality | Utah Chapter Sierra Club.

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Study Shows Maryland Worst State for Early Death Related to Air Pollution

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Respro® UK Ltd

Long-term exposure to air pollution leads a higher percentage of the population in Maryland to die prematurely than in any other state, according to a study on the impact of air quality on health.

In a study released in late August, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that emissions from cars, trucks, industrial smokestacks, trains, boats, and commercial heating systems contribute to the death of 113 people per 100,000 population per year in Maryland—more than any other state.

The problem is particularly acute in Baltimore, which boasts the highest emissions-related mortality rate of large cities in the country, according to the study. Of every 100,000 residents in the city, the study found that 130 were likely to die prematurely each year of causes related to air pollution, more than in New York City, Los Angeles, and the entire Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

The large output of emissions in Baltimore and elsewhere in Maryland accounted for the high rate of premature deaths related to polluted air, said Steven Barrett, a professor at MIT and lead author of the study.

Large amounts of ozone and small particulate matter in the air can contribute to the development of heart disease, asthma and other lung diseases like cancer. On average, Barrett said, those who died prematurely did so an average of 10 years earlier than expected.

Other cities in Maryland fared even worse than Baltimore, according to the study. Frederick, Reisterstown, and Montgomery Village all have rates close to Baltimore’s, while Magnolia—a small town in northeastern Maryland—leads the state with an emissions-related mortality rate of 140 deaths per 100,000 people per year.

As part of the study, the researchers developed different models to look at the overall risk of emissions-related death for a particular region. But, Barrett said, it is impossible to tie the death of one individual directly to emissions.

Barrett and colleagues obtained emissions data from theEnvironmental Protection Agency. Then, using electronic models and simulations in tandem with population density maps of the U.S., they determined which areas were impacted the most by pollutants. The emissions data the researchers analyzed was released in 2005—the most recent available from the EPA at the time of the study—though more data is set to be released in coming months. The data set excluded Hawaii and Alaska.

State environmental officials said that the study does not necessarily reflect recent efforts to reduce emissions in Maryland.

“Things have changed fairly dramatically since [2005],” said Tad Aburn, Air Director for the state Department of the Environment. “In 2006 [we instituted the] Maryland Healthy Air Act, one of the country’s most aggressive power plant control programs.”

Shortly after, Maryland instituted its Clean Cars program and introduced some of the strictest regulations on vehicles in the country in an effort to combat emissions.

But state regulations may not be enough, Aburn said.

Emissions traveling from as far away as Ohio make their way to the East Coast, driving up the amount of air pollution in states like Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey—also among the states with the highest emissions-related mortality rates. These are referred to as ‘upwind’ sources, as most lie upwind of the affected state.

“We can only make minimal progress with local programs,” Aburn said. “We need [federal] help with upwind sources.”

And, while stricter emission regulation has helped clean up the air in Maryland, according to Aburn, it’s still unclear how big a role air quality plays in determining a person’s overall health.

“These are complicated kinds of issues to tease out. So we know biologically that improving the air means that there’s less stress on the lungs,” said Clifford Mitchell, director of the Environment Health Bureau of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

“We absolutely anticipate that improving the air quality through decreasing ozone and particulate matter is good for asthmatics. [But] because there are so many factors that affect these issues, we can’t point to one individual and say that person is better because of air quality.”

via Study Shows Maryland Worst State for Early Death Related to Air Pollution – Health – Elkridge, MD Patch.

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Very good air quality levels on Yom Kippur across Israel

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Respro® UK Ltd

As cars disappeared from the roads and bicycles sailed through the highways instead, air quality levels were very good throughout Yom Kippur, the Environmental Protection Ministry reported on Sunday.

The plunge in air pollution was particularly prominent in the big cities, places that are typically heavily affected by pollution from vehicles, the ministry explained. Such a noticeable improvement in these areas on Yom Kippur indicates the considerable effect that transportation has as the main source of air pollution there, the ministry said.

With the holiday the concentration of nitrogen oxides plunged, dropping by 92 percent in the Gush Dan region.

Maximum measurements of nitrogen oxides reached 9 parts per billion during the holiday, compared to up to 116 parts per billion on the morning of the day before, the Environment Ministry said.

Jerusalem featured a 95% drop in nitrogen oxide levels, falling from 194 parts per billion to 9 parts per billion on Yom Kippur.

Haifa’s nitrogen oxide levels fell from 41 parts per billion at 6:30 a.m. the day before Yom Kippur to 8 parts per billion during the holiday, the ministry data said.

“We emphasize that the drastic reduction applies only to nitrogen oxides and not respirable fine particles, because the particles have a longer stay in the atmosphere – about 10 days – until they are removed from it,” the ministry said.

Nitrogen oxides – which include a number of nitrogen oxygen compounds, such as nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide and nitrous oxide – penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, causing various symptoms of respiratory diseases and reducing the body’s response to bacteria. At low concentration, this can mean lung and eye irritations, but at higher concentrations, it can weaken the body’s defense systems, leading to illnesses such as pneumonia, the Environment Ministry said.

via Very good air quality levels on Yom Kippur across Israel | JPost | Israel News.

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Air pollution on Truro road is far worse than central London

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Respro® UK Ltd

A NOTORIOUS traffic bottleneck in Truro has the worst air quality in Cornwall – with pollution levels higher than London’s West End.

The Highertown road going from County Hall to the Royal Cornwall Hospital has pollution levels nearly two and a half times the recommended limit.

The situation was described as horrifying by a Truro councillor – but is expected to get even worse, with 200 new homes being built just off Highertown and a planned 1,500-home scheme at Langarth.

Approximately 29,000 people in the UK die prematurely each year due to poor air quality.

Cornwall councillor Fiona Ferguson, said: “The statistics are horrifying. I’ve always expressed my concern about the impact of new developments in Truro on the traffic in Highertown.”

Environmental protection officer Eloise Travis confirmed the worst levels on Highertown were at 99 micrograms of nitrogen dioxide per cubic metre of air, against a European Union limit of 40 micrograms per cubic metre. On London’s busy Shaftesbury Avenue the average level is only 71 micrograms per cubic metre.

Nitrogen dioxide, a reddish-brown gas with a pungent and irritating odour, helps form smog and can irritate the lungs and lower resistance to respiratory infection.

Council highways officers have worked with Taylor Wimpey, developer of the former Richard Lander School site, on plans for a bus lane on Highertown under which trees, which help reduce pollution, would be removed.

City and Cornwall councillor Rob Nolan said: “I’m shocked at these levels of air pollution. Children going to Richard Lander walk along this road every day and are exposed to unacceptable levels of pollution, as are hospital staff and local residents, yet Cornwall Council plans to cut down 33 trees along this stretch of road, which can only make things worse.

“We need an urgent public meeting so residents and road users can be informed of Cornwall Council’s plans to address this terrible situation.”

Cornwall Council said it was considering making Highertown an air quality management area next year to fully address the problem.

Ben Wheeler, a health geographer at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health in Truro, said the health effects of traffic pollution were mostly felt by people with existing heart and lung conditions, such as asthma, lung disease and heart disease.

“People always make presumptions that because Cornwall is so rural, it wouldn’t have air quality problems, but that’s not always the case,” he said.

via Air pollution on Truro road is far worse than central London | This is Cornwall.

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China vows to tackle air pollution

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Respro® UK Ltd

China has unveiled sweeping measures to tackle air pollution, with plans to close old polluting steel mills, cement factories and aluminium smelters, and slash coal consumption and boost the use of nuclear power and natural gas.

China has been under heavy pressure to address air pollution after thick and hazardous smog engulfed much of the industrial north, including the capital, Beijing, in January. It has identified coal burning as a key area to tackle.

China said its new plan would aim to cut total coal consumption to below 65% of total primary energy use by 2017, down from 66.8% last year.

It would also aim to raise the share of non-fossil fuel energy to 13% by 2017, up from 11.4% in 2012. Its previous target stood at 15% by 2020. To help meet the target, it would also raise installed nuclear capacity to 50GW by 2017.

By the end of 2015, it said it would add 150bn cubic metres of natural gas trunk pipeline transmission capacity.

China would speed up the closure of old and polluting industrial capacity and “basically complete” work to relocate plants to coastal areas.

It said a 2015 target to close outdated capacity in industrial sectors would be accelerated and it would also halt construction of all unapproved projects in industries facing overcapacity.

“The order to halt construction and stop all production work for unapproved projects is a very tough move. If the government was to strictly enforce this regulation, a lot of aluminium smelters in Xinjiang will be very badly affected since many of them started construction before state approval,” said Liao Zhenyuan, an analyst at Minmetals Futures.

“The market was expecting the government to allow plants that have finished construction, or started production, to continue business as usual. So this is quite a shock.”

China would also speed up the implementation of new vehicle fuel standards, saying that by the end of 2014, all diesel supplies need to comply with standards.

China will also stop approving new thermal power plants in key industrial areas. It will also aim to achieve “negative growth” in coal consumption in the regions.

Experts said China’s bid to tackle coal consumption could be stymied by its weak monitoring capability, especially near coal-producing areas.

“Measuring is still a big problem – even if you look at the provincial energy data and the national data there is a massive discrepancy of around 200-300m tonnes and it could be more than that,” said Yang Fuqiang, senior Beijing-based adviser with the Natural Resources Defence Council.

via China vows to tackle air pollution | World news | theguardian.com.

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