Pollution pill for city

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

The grim reality of Kochi’s worsening air quality has forced the State Pollution Control Board to be more effective in monitoring the pollution level of the cityThe PCB will set up a continuous online ambient air quality monitoring station at Vyttila junction to record the pollution level.

At present, there is a manual testing station to check the air pollution caused by vehicles at OEN India Ltd building at Vyttila Junction. Uncontrollable air pollution has prompted the PCB to install continuous online ambient air quality monitoring stations.

The estimated cost of purchasing and installing machine would be around Rs 75 lakh. “The tender proceedings initiated for the project and would start functioning within four months. The Board will have to find out a proper place to install the system and get sanction from local authorities,” Mythili M S, Chief Environmental Engineer, said.

The objective of the initiative is to scientifically analyse the source of pollution. The anaylser will work round-the-clock. The unit will display the amount of sulphur dioxide, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide levels. It will also measure meteorological parameters like wind speed, wind direction, temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation.

via Pollution pill for city – South India – Kochi – ibnlive.

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HOW TO FIT A RESPRO® ALLERGY MASK

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

HOW TO FIT A RESPRO® ALLERGY MASK – YouTube.

This is a demonstration video on how to fit a Respro® Allergy Mask correctly. The Respro® Allergy Mask is available in two colours, Blue and White and in 5 sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL.

For more information on purchasing, please go to our website: www.respro.com

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Bicycle Film Festival | A celebration of bicycles through film, art and music

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

One day to go… London Bicycle Film Festival starts tomorrow, 4th October 2012

Bicycle Film Festival | A celebration of bicycles through film, art and music.

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Utah taking public comment on clean-air plans

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

Utah regulators called Monday for stricter controls on industrial emissions to reduce sooty pollution that typically settles in the heavily populated Wasatch Front for weeks in bowl-shaped valleys that trap smog.

Regulators opened a month-long public comment period Monday on three sets of comprehensive clean-air plans for northern Utah.

“We’ll be seeing huge reductions in emissions over the next five to seven years that really impact us during our winter inversion periods,” Utah Division of Air Quality Director Bryce Bird said. “These plans will work.”

The effort is expected to reduce emissions by nearly a third over the wider Salt Lake City metropolitan area, from 366 tons to 243 tons a day, he said.

Utah must provide plans to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by Dec. 15. The Utah Air Quality Board intends to act before that to make the plans into laws that will take effect immediately with a series of deadlines for action, Bird said.

via Utah taking public comment on clean-air plans – Businessweek.

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FAQ: What differences are there with the new CiNQRO™ mask?

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

What differences are there with the new CiNQRO™ mask?

The CiNQRO™ mask focuses on the ‘urban trainer’, the ‘home runner’ or the multi-sport end user where breathing rates are typically higher than your average commuter.  Improved comfortability are key to this level of personal endeavor

For improved air flow and comfortability the two Powa Elite valves on the CiNQRO™ mask allow faster air flow characteristics when breathing out at elevated breathing patterns, ie when you are giving it the beans from A2B which equates to less back pressure, less dampness in the filter, improved filtration, lower inhalation resistance all of which result in improved comfort and performance.

The CiNQRO™ package incorporates a complete mask fitted with a Hepa-Type particle filter for filtering submicron particles like diesel smoke, pollen, brake lining dust and any aqueous water vapor particles that  can carry various chemicals in the air. A spare DACC chemical/particle filter is also supplied as part of the package allowing filter interchangeability making the Cinqro™ mask suitable for use in a wider variety of environments from inner cities to the countryside.

A graphics rebuild for the look of the mask fits it squarely in the sports arena rather than the ‘scare the hell out of everyone’ arena.

For more FAQ,  see Respro® Mask FAQ

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Pollution monitoring in Londonderry takes a look at the air where we live

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

If you want to know how air pollution is affecting people in southern New Hampshire, it helps to know the quality of the air where we live and work, rather than atop a mountain.

That’s the idea behind a new air monitoring station in Londonderry, part of a national system but the first in New England to be located in a suburb area rather than out in the wilds, such as the long-running station on Pack Monadnock, or in a city like Boston.

“This one was selected as being representative of population exposure in the wide area suburbia in the southern part of the state. It’s not in the middle of a city, not next to a factory, not next to a highway,” said Jeff Underhill, chief scientists in the air resources division of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

“Years ago, we focused on finding where are the worst possible locations. The idea was let’s get those measurements, find the extremes,” said Underhill. “Now we’re trying to focus on what people are really breathing.”

The station, which cost about $300,000 to build, monitors a number of pollutants including ozone, small particles of the sort released by wood-burning stoves, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and lead. It’s located next to the Moose Hill School, not far from routes 102 and 128, which gives it an educational component as well. The building was designed with windows to provide a good view of the equipment so that classes can be given tours, said Underhill.

via Pollution monitoring in Londonderry takes a look at the air where we live – NashuaTelegraph.com.

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Polluting buses set to be replaced next month

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

Polluting buses are set to be replaced with cleaner versions next month following years of campaigning for cleaner air in Putney.

Research found diesel buses accounted for more than two thirds of the high levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) emissions in Putney High Street, believed to cause heart problems.

Next month Transport for London (TfL) will start to replace the buses with cleaner models, following two years of campaigning by the Putney Society and a joint petition with Wandsworth Council.

There are currently 177 diesel buses using the high street, with 46 of the high polluting buses to be replaced in October.

TfL plans to use 10 low emission hybrid buses, while 85 of the diesel buses will be retrofitted with catalytic converters.

It is hoped the upgrade programme will be completed by March 2013.

via Polluting buses set to be replaced next month (From Your Local Guardian).

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Air pollution programs in turmoil as Memphis officials study options for inspections

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

In the aftermath of Memphis’ smoggiest summer in years, local efforts to control air pollution have been thrown into disarray by the city’s decision to withdraw funds for vehicle emissions testing and a Shelby County Commission squabble over plans for a new monitoring station.

After the City Council’s vote in August to cut the $2.7 million inspection program after next June 30, a committee appointed by County Mayor Mark Luttrell began studying options for vehicle testing and other air quality issues. Although it’s early in the process, three main scenarios are emerging, according to interviews with several officials:

The county could take over the program, running it in much the same form but expanding it to also require inspections of vehicles owned by residents living in unincorporated areas of Shelby, not just those within Memphis city limits.

The state could take over the program and run it on a contract basis, in which case owners would pay a fee – probably $10 – to have their vehicles inspected.

Or the program could be dropped, which likely would prompt federal regulators to require industry emissions to be slashed to make up for the increased pollution from cars. Also, state officials said they could require the city to repay nearly $4 million in grant funds used to help build the new inspection station on Appling.

In addition to the uncertainty over auto inspections, a $200,000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to the county – intended to fund the installation of another air-quality monitoring station – is in doubt. County Commissioners are considering rejecting the grant because they disagree with the proposed location off of Interstate 40 at Southwest Tennessee Community College.

via Air pollution programs in turmoil as Memphis officials study options for inspections » The Commercial Appeal.

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