While pregnant, traffic pollution near home raises risk for preeclampsia

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

Exposure to traffic-related air pollution can greatly raise a pregnant woman’s risk for preeclampsia, a large study from Australia has found. Preeclampsia can cause serious health problems for mother and baby. The strongest effects were observed among women exposed during the third trimester and for those who had gestational diabetes. One of a handful of studies to examine the link between air pollution and preeclampsia, it is unique because the scientists measured the women’s exposures to local air pollutants generated by road traffic, including cars and diesel trucks.

via While pregnant, traffic pollution near home raises risk for preeclampsia. — Environmental Health News.

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IIT Kanpur to study Delhi’s air quality

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

Delhi government’s environment department is set to commission IIT Kanpur to study its problem of air pollution. The government has already devised a master plan to deal with the issue and its implementation should start by next year.

“The master plan is quite comprehensive but we still felt the need for a technically qualified agency to study Delhi’s pollution levels and its causes. The study will help us to improve our master plan by suggesting means of reducing levels of critical pollutants,” said a senior official.

During monsoon, the city was enjoying a significantly clear air but as the season is about to end, experts are worried about the levels of particulate matter shooting up.

“Even after such incessant rain and its wash-out effect, PM2.5 levels have just about touched the Indian standards of 60 microgram per cubic metre and could not come down to 25 microgram per cubic metre, as prescribed by WHO guidelines.”

via IIT Kanpur to study Delhi’s air quality – The Times of India.

For more information: What does PM stand for?

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FAQ: Do the filters need replacing, if so, how often?

Posted on September 3, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

Do the filters need replacing, if so, how often?

Yes the filters do need replacing.

1. The effective working life of the City filter depends on a number of factors, such as; the breathing rate of the user; ambient levels of pollution; the length of time the filter is actively working; hygiene levels. Taking these factors into account we recommend that the filter should be replaced every month or every 69 hours, whichever is sooner.

2. Replacement of the Sportsta™ filter should be carried out every month or when the filter becomes noticeably discoloured.

For more FAQ,  go to Respro® Mask FAQ

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Air pollution reaching extreme levels, warns Hunter Valley council

Posted on September 3, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

HUNTER VALLEY winemakers and residents will today step up the campaign against mining in their backyards as the local council warns dust in the region is reaching ”extreme” levels.

In an email to a Singleton councillor on Saturday, the council’s general manager, Lindy Hyam, said she had written to the head of NSW Environment Protection Authority after five separate official ”health alerts” relating to air pollution at Mount Thorley, near Singleton, were issued in a matter of weeks.

Each alert stated that air pollution had ”exceeded national health standards for PM10”, or particulate matter 10 micrometres or less in diameter.

via Air pollution reaching extreme levels, warns Hunter Valley council.

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Ships leave air pollution in their wake

Posted on September 2, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

Shipping may produce 30 per cent of all nitrogen oxide and 20 per cent of total sulphur emissions in Australia, a study suggests.

“These [non-greenhouse gases] produce photochemical smog and airborne particulates that can contribute to health issues,” says study lead author Dr Laurie Goldsworthy from the Australian Maritime College.

“There are pulmonary and cardiovascular concerns and they also change atmospheric chemical processes causing things like acid rain.

“Ports in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane are located where seasonally-prevailling onshore winds dominate and pollutants from shipping are carried into the air-sheds of these major urban population centres.

via Ships leave air pollution in their wake › News in Science ABC Science.

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Air Pollution – Colossal challenge to people’s health

Posted on September 2, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

Outdoor air pollution causes about 800,000 premature deaths and 6.4 million years of life lost. It occurs predominantly in developing countries with 65 percent being in Asia. About 81 percent of deaths and 49 percent of DALYs in people aged over 60 years are responsible in causing adverse effects of outdoor air pollution. Outdoor air pollutions cause three percent deaths in children under five and 12 percent of DALYs. WHO estimated 1,000 deaths in 2004 due to outdoor air pollution in Sri Lanka.

Power generation and industries also cause outdoor emissions in Sri Lanka. With the mega hydro-electric power plants in Sri Lanka (Upper Kotmale) shortly would increase demand to be about eight to 10 percent per annum in few years and will have to depend on coal, fossil fuels or renewable sources of energy. Emission of unhealthy levels of pollutants very close to high residential areas by industries has to be controlled by establishing pollutant control requirements. Economic cost of adverse health effects of air pollution is immense.

Effective Air Quality Monitoring approaches have discovered that benefits received from emission reductions are usually much higher than cost of implementing emission reduction measures. The findings of a study based on outdoor air quality levels of Colombo suggest that 20 percent of the asthma cases recorded at Lady Ridgway Hospital and two percent of cases reported to the National Hospital, Colombo could be attributed to (particulate matter) PM 10 pollution level in Colombo. The possible economic loss due to outdoor air pollution due to PM 2.5 in Colombo has been estimated to be about USD 7.0 million.

Air pollutants can be primary or secondary. Primary pollutants are emitted into the atmosphere from a source such as a factory chimney or exhaust pipe, or through suspension of contaminated dusts with wind. Secondary air pollutants are formed within the atmosphere itself. Air pollution contributes to considerable disease burden in Sri Lanka based on reported air quality levels in Sri Lanka, according to limited in-country epidemiological studies and evidence from epidemiological studies conducted in other countries in the region.

It is necessary to have a national level action plan to mitigate effects of air pollution and to generate in-country robust evidence to understand the actual scenarios. Exposure to air pollution is a modifiable risk factor that has remedial actions. Multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral efforts are needed from policymakers, government and private sectors, community and individuals to ensure a healthier Sri Lanka.

via nation.lk ::: – Colossal challenge to people’s health.

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Poor Air Quality Predicted for Southern New England

Posted on September 1, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

Unhealthy air quality is predicted for the southern portions of Connecticut and Rhode Island, and the south coast of Massachusetts, including Cape Cod and the Islands during August due to ground-level ozone.

“With the return of high temperatures, we predict air quality will reach unhealthy levels in parts of New England,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s (USA) New England office. “Everybody can help reduce ozone by driving less, using public transportation and setting air conditioner thermostats a few degrees higher.”

The ozone standard is 0.075 parts per million (ppm) on an 8-hour average basis. Air quality alerts are issued when ozone concentrations exceed, or are predicted to exceed, this level. So far this year, there have been 24 days in New England when ozone concentrations have exceeded the standard.

Exposure to elevated ozone levels can cause breathing problems, aggravate asthma and other pre-existing lung diseases, and make people more susceptible to respiratory infection. When ozone levels are elevated, people should refrain from strenuous outdoor activity, especially sensitive populations such as children and adults with respiratory problems.

via Poor Air Quality Predicted for Southern New England – Aug 31 2012 10:46 AM – EPA – Envirotech Online.

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FAQ: These bendy nose things, how far should I bend them?

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

These bendy nose things, how far should I bend them?

The malleable nose clip deforms easily so that a good fit can be formed around the bridge of the nose. Continuous or exaggerated deformation will eventually cause failure in the metal – it will snap. Once a good fit has been found, it is best to maintain the shape, rather than folding it flat when storing it or when not in use.

For more FAQ,  go to Respro® Mask FAQ

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