Dangerous air pollution levels ‘being kept hidden’

Posted on August 6, 2013 by Respro® UK Ltd

DANGEROUS levels of air pollution posing a threat to public health have been discovered in Musselburgh amid claims the extent of the problem has been kept hidden by authorities.

Vehicle emissions breach World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, prompting experts to warn the council the town may be declared an Air Quality Management Area – a district failing to meet UK targets.

A Freedom of Information request has revealed levels of nitrogen dioxide – a pollutant from vehicles known to increase respiratory illnesses – in High Street and Bridge Street exceeded WHO limits and was discovered by a specialist consultancy firm last June, but has still not been made public.

They also show a report by Environmental Protection Officers had been due for release by April, but it is understood that it will not be 
available for months.

Jason Rose, a campaigner for the East Lothian Greens, exposed the pollution problems following an investigation.

He said the fact the public weren’t informed about the issue was “alarming”. “This sort of pollution is hard to see but it’s a real risk, especially for children, the elderly or those with conditions such as asthma,” he said.

“It’s worrying that the results of last year’s additional monitoring still aren’t available. This sort of delay is unacceptable, and suggests East Lothian Council are not making this issue the priority it should be.”

The revelations come weeks after Friends of the Earth called for Edinburgh to look again at introducing a congestion charge in a bid to beat rising pollution levels in the Capital.

Mr Rose added: “The authority appears to be putting great faith in revised traffic light sequences and possibly 
relocating a bus stop or two. They need to be bolder and they need to involve the community.”

Alan Hay, of Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council, said it was “shocking” the data hadn’t yet been released to the public

“This is a public health issue and there should be public meetings about it,” he said. “The traffic can be very heavy in Musselburgh and should be addressed.”

Councillor Norman Hampshire, environment spokesman for East Lothian Council, said: “The monitoring of air quality and resulting management of problem areas is very much a priority for the council but it is essential that accurate information is obtained to best inform us for appropriate action.”

via Dangerous air pollution levels ‘being kept hidden’ – News – Edinburgh Evening News.

Posted in Air Quality, UK | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Air pollution dangerous for smokers’ hearts

Posted on August 6, 2013 by Respro® UK Ltd

Research reveals that on days of high pollution, smokers are more likely to have a heart attack than non-smokers.

A study from the University of Dijon in Burgundy, France shows that when fine particles from air pollution exceed a certain level, there’s a marked increase in hospital admission for heart attack. This is even bigger for people who smoke.

This is one of the first studies to show that exposure to air pollution could be especially dangerous for smokers. The survey involved a group of 322 patients hospitalized for heart attack, of whom nearly half were smokers. The researchers compared the daily incidence of heart attack with the average daily concentrations in the air of particles smaller than 10 micrometers, known as PM10s. They also measured average levels of ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide.

Researchers included the ATMO index, widely used in France as a daily overall indicator of air quality. The index ranges from one to 10, where one indicates very good and 10 very poor. Air pollution levels in Dijon remained under four on the ATMO index 86 percent of the time. While the pollution level rose to six or higher only about 5 percent of the time, or about 18 days a year, heart attacks were 161 percent more likely to occur in the general population and 250 percent more likely in smokers during those high-pollution days. The findings showed that heart patients – and especially those who smoke – should be especially vigilant during episodes of environmental pollution.

via Air pollution dangerous for smokers’ hearts – TeleManagement.

Posted in Air Quality, Health Effects of Air Pollution | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Rema moves to tackle air pollution by cars

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Respro® UK Ltd

Any imported car, whether second-hand or new, that does not meet carbon emission standards will not be allowed in Rwanda, the government has warned.

The warning came as the country campaigns to conserve its greenhouse sector which, if not well controlled, might pose a danger to human health and destroy the Ozone layer.

Although there is no law in place banning cars that emit huge volumes of carbon dioxide, authorities noted that inspections to weed out culprits of air pollution will begin soon.

The situation is not alarming at the moment.

However, according to the Rwanda Environmental and Management Authority (Rema), government forecasts suggest that total emissions of greenhouse gases might double by the year 2020, hence the need to act fast.

The campaign does not target second-hand imported cars only but also new cars because they too if poorly maintained can emit beyond the acceptable limits.

“Naturally, older cars are more likely to emit more pollutants than new ones, but the focus is now on emission levels,” said Dr Rose Mukankomeje, the director-general of Rema.

Regional effort

Dr Mukankomeje further stated that efforts need to be accelerated in order to adopt sustainable practices that promote preservation of the atmosphere, with emphasis put on the control of emissions from vehicles, irrespective of their year of manufacture.

The government plans comprehensive discussions and agreements with other regional countries regarding the matter, she added.

“Once a decision is taken at the regional level, Rwanda will have to enforce it,” Dr Mukankomeje said.

Rema reports reveal that air pollution attributed to vehicular emissions such as sulphur dioxide, especially in Kigali city, have been found to be exceeding the permissible standards at some periods of the year.

Mohammed Karangwa, a vehicle dealer who sells second-hand cars imported from Tanzania, said that the implications of the directive may negatively affect his business.

Effects of climate change

“Clients order different types of cars vis-a-vis their financial status,” he said. “It’s not that we are against the adopted policies, but let the government know that, when it is campaigning for self-employment, the private sector, including our businesses, needs to be given a wide range of opportunities.”

continue reading Rema moves to tackle air pollution by cars – News – www.theeastafrican.co.ke.

Posted in Africa, Air Quality | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Air Quality in Shasta, Tehama Counties Deemed “Unhealthy”

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Respro® UK Ltd

The air quality in Shasta and Tehama Counties are in the unhealthy range. Conditions will most likely vary from unhealthy to moderate over short periods of time as smoke from wildland fires in the Northstate drift over Tehama County.

Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. The Tehama County Air Pollution Control District advises that these sensitive categories stay indoors and avoid intense physical activity in those areas where high smoke levels are visibly evident.

While all persons may experience varying degrees of symptoms, the more sensitive individuals are at greatest risk at experiencing more aggravated symptoms which may include, but are not limited to coughing, scratchy throat, watery and itchy eyes, and difficulty breathing.

Persons experiencing questionable or severe symptoms should seek professional medical advice.

Scientific studies have linked fine particulate matter (smoke) with significant health problems, including premature death, respiratory related hospital admissions, aggravated asthma, acute respiratory symptoms (including severe chest pain, gasping, and aggravated coughing) chronic bronchitis, decreased lung function, and work and school absences.

In addition, all open burning is prohibited during this period.

For further information contact the Air Pollution Control District at (530) 527-3717.

via Air Quality in Shasta, Tehama Counties Deemed “Unhealthy” – NBC 24 Action News.

Posted in Air Quality, USA & Canada | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Five most polluted Hackney roads revealed as campaigners urge Boris Johnson to stop breaching air quality standards

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Respro® UK Ltd

Following a formal request for information from the campaign group Clean Air in London, the Mayor of London has now released data revealing the extent of air pollution on the capital’s busiest roads.

Green Party Assembly Member Jenny Jones has used the information to create an interactive map covering the whole of East London, enabling residents look up emissions from the busiest roads near their post code.

In Hackney the five worst contenders are the Eastway (A106), the East Cross Route (A12), Shoreditch High Street (A10), City Road (A501) and Seven Sisters Road (A503).

The map shows the extent to which the health of Londoners is being endangered by diesel vehicle emissions, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) states causes cancer.

Jenny Jones said: “Londoners can now see for themselves the extent of air pollution on the busiest roads in their local area – the Government and the Mayor have tried to play this problem down, but the impacts on human health can be severe.

“The Mayor could and should be doing so much more to tackle this problem but under his watch London failed to meet EU air quality standards in 2011 and is set to continue breaching legal limits until 2025.”

The Mayor has a statutory duty to produce a strategy for improving London’s air quality.

Ms Jones is calling for more electric vehicles, especially buses and vans – but believes the simplest solution is to reduce the total amount of traffic on the roads.

She also thinks and improved cycle safety and lower public transport fares would encourage people to ditch their cars.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said “strenuous efforts” are being made to improve air quality.

“Since the Mayor took office, emissions of dangerous particulates (PM10) have fallen by 15 per cent and of oxides of nitrogen by 20 per cent thanks to an ambitious package of measures including building Europe’s largest fleet of low emission hybrid buses, retiring the oldest taxis and introducing tighter emission standards for lorries and vans.

“He has just announced £5.4m for the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund which will help to reduce emissions at many of the locations where pollution and human exposure is highest, this includes funding specifically to help improve air quality in Hackney.”

To view the map go to www.howpollutedismyroad.org.uk.

via Five most polluted Hackney roads revealed as campaigners urge Boris Johnson to stop breaching air quality standards – News – Hackney Gazette.

Posted in Air Quality, London, UK | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Hong Kong Taxis Drive Air Pollution

Posted on August 3, 2013 by Respro® UK Ltd

So beloved are Hong Kong’s red taxis that they’ve inspired t-shirts, art installations, and even recycled watches. But along with minibuses, the city’s taxis are responsible for up to 40% of certain kinds of roadside air pollution, says the government.

That makes the city’s fleet of 18,000 liquefied petroleum gas-powered taxis one of the biggest culprits behind the mask of white haze that often blankets Hong Kong’s skies and leaves pedestrians coughing. Now, through a mixture of carrots and sticks, the government—which already trains volunteers to spot and report dirty vehicles on the road—is moving more aggressively to try and lighten taxis’ pollution footprint.

There are two major problems that keep the city’s taxis trailing smoke, green groups say. One is the fact that 80% of taxis’ catalytic converters—which help filter up to 90% of emissions—are worn out, according to official figures. To tackle that problem, Hong Kong said this week it plans to launch a HK$150 million (US$19 million) subsidy program by Aug. 15 to help drivers get new devices, which the government says they should replace every 18 months.

The other problem, green groups say, is lax testing. Like all commercial vehicles, taxis in Hong Kong are required to undergo an annual roadworthiness test to stay licensed. But even vehicles with high levels of emissions have no problem passing the government’s test, which requires drivers to idle and then rev the engine for a designated period—something that doesn’t exactly mimic normal driving conditions.

“Even if the [catalytic] converter is not really working well, they can still pass [the test],” said a government spokesman.

Freda Fung of local think-tank Civic Exchange says the tests drivers have to pass in Hong Kong is also used by the European Union and in parts of the U.S. Still, she says, Hong Kong should do more.

“We have an urban setting that makes it less easy for pollution to disperse,” she says, citing the city’s densely packed maze of narrow streets and high rise buildings. “So we think we need to do more than other countries to improve air pollution.”

The government agrees. In addition to its subsidy program, it will implement more rigorous emissions tests, which it says will be “similar to a treadmill” and better-equipped for simulating real-world driving conditions. It will also deploy a system of cameras and remote sensing equipment across the territory from April to nab heavy polluters.

“They’ll move around the city, we’ll be doing it on rotation,” said the spokesman of such sensors, more than 100 of which are already scattered around the city for monitoring purposes. If caught on camera, drivers will need to have their vehicles tested by a stipulated date. Vehicles that fail the test will be taken off the road.

Taken altogether, Ms. Fung says, the government’s new efforts—which also includes restrictions on diesel commercial vehicles—should go a long way toward cleaning up Hong Kong’s skies. “It’s a generous program, but understandably generous,” she said of the subsidies in particular. “It’s only one time, and then everyone is clean … and knows the rules.”

via Hong Kong Taxis Drive Air Pollution – China Real Time Report – WSJ.

Posted in Air Quality, Asia, China | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Beijing at center of China’s worst area for poor air quality

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Respro® UK Ltd

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region suffered the worst air quality in China in the first six months of the year with all cities in the region recording excessive PM2.5 pollution, according to a Ministry of Environmental Protection report.

Poor air quality was experienced for more than a fifth of the days in June in Beijing, as well as neighboring Tianjin and Hebei Province, according to ministry air quality readings.

Combined average air quality readings for 74 cities across China met standards for over half the days in June, the report said. The Pearl River Delta in south China had good air quality for nearly 90 percent of June.

However, the air in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei was heavily polluted for about a quarter of the first half of the year.

A ministry official said the major pollutant in Beijing was PM2.5.

The average reading for PM2.5, or dangerous airborne particles measuring less than 2.5 microns in diameter, in the 74 cities in the first half was 76 micrograms per cubic meter.

But in Beijing and its surrounding areas, the average reading was 115 micrograms per cubic meter.

A ministry official cited coal-burning, automobile emissions, construction projects and industry as the major causes of the heavy pollution.

Environment Minister Zhou Shengxian said last week that the government was making an action plan to improve air quality during the 2013-2017 period.

Environmental authorities are drafting a plan to reduce air pollution in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, according to China Central Television. The plan will cover Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia, CCTV said.

It will require cities and provinces to sign contracts to reduce carbon consumption and eliminate industries that cause heavy pollution.

via Beijing at center of China’s worst area for poor air quality – China.org.cn.

Posted in Air Quality, Asia, China | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Public warned of air pollution caused by Rayong oil spill

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Respro® UK Ltd

TOXIC COMPOUNDS from oil spills can affect humans through contaminated seafood and polluted air, the director of the International Anti-Ageing Centre warned.

Dr Krisada Siramput explained yesterday that there was a high possibility that marine animals in the affected seawaters would absorb toxic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

“These might accumulate in fish roe, shrimp and crabs,” he said.

The Thailand Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences has assigned Krisada to educate the public about health threats from the oil spill, which hit the sea off Rayong on Saturday.

He explained that in reaction to the sunlight, compounds in the crude oil evaporated and spread pollutants that could threaten human health.

“They can affect the respiratory system and even the DNA,” he said, adding that direct exposure to the pollutant could cause eye, throat and nasal irritation as well as nausea.

“Sometimes, it can even damage the nervous system,” he warned.

Also, judging from the effect the oil spill has had on tourism and other industries, those affected could suffer from stress and depression. “We have to rehabilitate their emotional health,” he said.

Krisada also urged relevant parties to rethink the use of micro-organisms in removing the oil spill, and was also concerned about the use of chemical dispersants.

Sorasak Saensombat, director-general of the Marine Department, said yesterday that he had ordered PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) to stop using chemicals since Monday.

However, PTTGC has insisted that the chemical it is using to disperse the oil spreading over the Gulf of Thailand is safe for the environment and complied with the Pollution Control Department regulations.

When asked to name the chemicals, PTTGC president Bowon Vongsinudom said he could not remember the exact name, adding that it was only being used in the deep-sea zone, not the shallow zone. According to him, the chemical split the crude oil into small fragments, which then sink a metre into the sea where they are naturally destroyed by micro-organisms.

“It has already been proved that this chemical is not dangerous for the environment. Don’t worry,” he said.

As per the information sheet distributed to the media by PTTGC at Ao Phrao beach yesterday, the chemical used as a dispersant was identified as “Slickgone NS” – an internationally approved dispersant produced by UK-based firm Dasic International. The product is classified as non-hazardous, though it might make the skin greasy as well as irritate the eyes.

Bowon said his firm had to reserve several thousand tonnes of this substance in case it is not enough for the elimination process.

via Public warned of air pollution caused by Rayong oil spill – The Nation.

Posted in Air Quality, Asia, Thailand | Tagged , , | Leave a comment