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

Posted on November 15, 2012 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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National capital celebrates Diwali with less noise, more smoke

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

NEW DELHI: Diwali celebrations across the city this year were more quiet in comparison to last year but produced more air pollution due to weather conditions and use of more smoke-producing crackers.

Environmentalists attribute the reduced noise pollution this year due to usage of fewer firecrackers but raised concern over rising air pollution, saying it would impact public health especially as it comes in the wake of a spell of dense smog over the city.

“Air pollutant levels during 2012 Diwali were found to be higher as compared to Diwali 2011, which can be attributed to adverse meteorological conditions or bursting of less noisy but more smoke-producing crackers,” a Central Pollution Control Board official said.

CPCB monitored air quality at seven locations. The level of particulate matter (PM10) showed an increase at all locations (compared with last year’s Diwali), RSPM values too were significantly higher — ranging between 748 and 951ug/m3 as compared to 416 and 635ug/m3 last year. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations increased at all locations. Only sulphur dioxide (SO2) levels showed a decrease from last year at three locations.

via National capital celebrates Diwali with less noise, more smoke – The Times of India.

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Hong Kong fails to meet air quality targets for 25 years

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

Hong Kong has never met the air quality targets it adopted 25 years ago, according to an Audit Commission report released on Wednesday that reviewed the government’s efforts to improve air quality.

The commission’s report found the concentration of two pollutants – nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and the PM10 particles – at roadside had “persistently and significantly exceeded the targets set by the Environmental Protection Department in 1987”.

The air quality targets list the concentration levels of seven harmful air pollutants, including sulphur dioxide, NO2, and PM10 particles (those with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less).

The roadside annual average concentration levels of NO2 and PM10 exceeded the targets by 53 per cent and 11 per cent respectively, and both exceeded the World Health Organisation standards by 205 per cent, the report said.

The unsatisfactory results came despite adopting, since 1997, 16 major emission control measures, including the replacement diesel fuelled vehicles with those powered by liquefied petroleum gas, the requirement that newly registered cars be greener models and the introduction of emission caps on power plants.

The commission also noted that the Environmental Protection Department had failed to achieve a performance target that the air pollution index not exceed the “very high” health risk level of 100 on any day of the year.

via Hong Kong fails to meet air quality targets for 25 years | South China Morning Post.

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High price of breathing polluted air: Energy production and transportation in the cross hairs

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

In America in 2012, according to the American Lung Association (ALA), the good news is that the air in many parts of the country has gotten cleaner. Credit improvement to Clean Air Act standards. The not-so-good news, meanwhile, is that since the ALA released its first State of the Air report in 2000, in many places around the country polluted air at unhealthful levels persists and in some areas pollution has grown worse.

American Lung Association’s State of the Air report for 2012 bears this out.

In an April 25, 2012 press release, ALA President and CEO Charles D. Connor insisted “real and steady progress in cutting dangerous pollution from the air we breathe” was made, but he said also, “… America’s air quality standards are woefully outdated, and unhealthy levels of air pollution still exist across the nation, putting the health of millions of Americans at stake.”

via High price of breathing polluted air: Energy production and transportation in the cross hairs | Alan Kandel.

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Local air pollution officials, State Parks clash over rule on Dunes dust

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District and the California State Parks Department are at an impasse over implementation of a new rule to curb excessive amounts of dust blowing off Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.

Larry Allen, county air pollution control officer, sent a strongly worded letter Oct. 23 to the Off-Highway Vehicle Division of State Parks decrying an “utter lack of commitment” on the part of the division to carry out the dust control rule that was adopted by the air board a year ago.

“After 11 months of conference calls, personal calls, emails and meetings, State Parks staff continue to dispute, defer or simply ignore significant comments by APCD staff and our consultant on needed revisions” to the State Parks draft dust control plan, Allen said in the letter.

In an Oct. 15 letter to Allen, State Parks Acting Director Janelle Beland said the department will continue to work with the air district but reiterated its opposition to the dust rule.

via Local air pollution officials, State Parks clash over rule on Dunes dust | Environment | SanLuisObispo.com.

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Guy Fawkes night creates a toxic smog

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

Guy Fawkes night is unique in the air pollution calendar. The smoke from bonfires takes us back to a time when our homes were heated with solid fuel, and the smoke from fireworks also contains tiny inhalable particles of metals that are used to make different colours. These include red (strontium), green (barium), blue (copper), silver (aluminium and titanium), purple (copper and strontium) and gold (iron).

This year still cold, settled weather allowed fireworks and bonfire smoke to build up in towns and cities across England and Wales. The north-west of England was the worst affected with pollution in Blackpool, Liverpool, Warrington and Wigan reaching the maximum value of 10, or very high, according to the UK daily air quality index. The Guy Fawkes air pollution experienced by people in Liverpool in 24 hours was equivalent to five days’ normal exposure.

via Pollutionwatch: Guy Fawkes night creates a toxic smog | Environment | The Guardian.

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New Space Sensor As A Hosted Payload To Track Air Pollution Across North America

Posted on November 10, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

NASA has selected a proposal from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Mass., to build the first space-based instrument to monitor major air pollutants across the North American continent hourly during daytime. The instrument, to be completed in 2017 at a cost of not more than $90 million, will share a ride on a commercial satellite as a hosted payload to an orbit about 22,000 miles above Earth’s equator.

The competitively selected proposal, Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO), is led by principal investigator Kelly Chance of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The investigation will for the first time make accurate observations of tropospheric pollution concentrations of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, and aerosols with high resolution and frequency over North America.

via New Space Sensor As A Hosted Payload To Track Air Pollution Across North America – PR Newswire – The Sacramento Bee.

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FAQ: Do I need to replace the valves?

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

Do I need to replace the valves?

The valves should not need replacing on a regular basis assuming that they are maintained properly. On a monthly basis, it is advisable to flush the valves through with warm water, allow to dry and apply a little talcum powder to prevent the valve from sticking. On the Powa valve, it is essential that you locate the two pins, nearest the hinge, properly into the body of the valve, and check that they are seated properly.

For more FAQ,  go to Respro® Mask FAQ

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