Respro® Bulletin Board

Sheffield breaches air pollution targets

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

AIR pollution in parts of Sheffield is getting worse, and some areas may not meet air quality targets for at least eight years without major action, according to a new report.

Although local air quality has generally improved, concerns are being raised again about the impact of heavy lorries in the city centre and near the M1.

As Sheffield prepares to adopt a revised Air Quality Action Plan, it is still breaching UK and European targets, as are many UK cities, says the council report.

It is estimated that poor air quality accounts for up to 500 premature deaths each year in Sheffield and costs the NHS an annual £160m. Especially at risk are the young and the old and those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions.

via Sheffield breaches air pollution targets – Local – Sheffield Telegraph.

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

Pollutionwatch: Diesel cars emit more nitrogen oxides than petrol cars

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

Unseasonably wet and windy weather led to low air pollution during June. Short periods of moderate air pollution were measured in London and Sheffield, and both Port Talbot and Grangemouth experienced pollution from industry. Fine weather from the 19th to 22nd caused a brief return to more typical June pollution when summer-time smog formed over the Midlands, East Anglia and southern England as far west as Bournemouth.

via Pollutionwatch: Diesel cars emit more nitrogen oxides than petrol cars | Environment | The Guardian.

Posted in Air Quality, London, UK | Tagged Air Pollution, Air Quality, diesel exhaust fumes, London, Nitrogen Dioxide NO2, Sheffield, UK | Leave a comment

Air Quality updates on Euston Road

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

A new LED display screen has been installed on the St Pancras library building (Camden Town Hall extension building) on Euston Road.

Messages displayed will show real time data (refreshed hourly) of current levels NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) and PM10 levels, two of the key pollutants in the borough of Camden. The sign is funded by DEFRA and is based on the government’s air quality index.

Euston Road is one of the most polluted roads in London.

NO2 data will be taken from the Euston Road monitoring site, whereas PM10 data will be taken from the monitoring site on Marylebone Road, which is about 1km away from the display sign, until an analyser is installed at Euston Road later this year.

For more information on local pollution levels, visit Camden’s air quality website.

If you wonder what PM stands for, read on…

Posted in Air Quality, London, UK | Tagged Air Quality, Camden, Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), London, Nitrogen Dioxide NO2, PM10, UK | Leave a comment

Choked: Delhi’s pollution level is fives times worse than just eight years ago as experts warn air quality is as noxious as Jharia coal town

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

Delhiites are breathing poison. If you thought CNG had made the Capital’s air cleaner, then it’s time for a reality check.

The alarming pollution levels have blackened Delhi’s air to such an extent that it ranks alongside coal town Jharia and unregulated industrial hubs like Ludhiana, Raipur and Kanpur.

And it’s the ever-increasing numbers of diesel-guzzling passenger cars and trucks plying unregulated on the city’s roads that are largely to blame for the situation.

via Choked: Delhi’s pollution level is fives times worse than just eight years ago as experts warn air quality is as noxious as Jharia coal town | Mail Online.

Read on: What does PM stand for?

Posted in Air Quality, Asia, Health Effects of Air Pollution, India | Tagged CNG - Compressed Natural Gas, Delhi, India, International Council for Clean Transportation (ICCT), Jharia, PM10, RSPM levels, TERI | Leave a comment

Air pollution in Putney and Brixton up to three times higher than EU limits

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

Air pollution in some parts of London is three times higher than European-recommended safe limits, research reveals today.

Scientists at King’s College London monitored 100 sites around the capital last year, measuring levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which is caused by traffic fumes and has been linked to increased risk of asthma in children.

They also tested the sites for levels of PM10 — airborne particles from several sources of pollution — which is linked to breathing and heart problems.

The worst pollution was in Putney and Brixton, at three times the EU limit. The team found that most sites near busy roads exceeded EU safe limits, and even some more quiet locations recorded dangerous levels. Up to 4,000 deaths in London every year are blamed on poor air quality.

via Air pollution in Putney and Brixton up to three times higher than EU limits – Health – News – Evening Standard.

Posted in Air Quality, Health Effects of Air Pollution, London, UK | Tagged Air Quality, Brixton, EU - European Union, King's College London, London, Nitrogen Dioxide NO2, PM10, Putney | Leave a comment

Air Quality Action Day Forecast July 7 in All Five PA Regions

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

The Department of Environmental Protection and its regional air quality partnerships have forecast a code Orange air quality action day for ozone for Saturday, July 7, in the Lehigh Valley, Pittsburgh, Liberty-Clairton, Philadelphia, and Susquehanna Valley regions.

On air quality action days, young children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.

via Air Quality Action Day Forecast July 7 in All Five PA Regions – Manufacturing Digital.

For more information, visit The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) website.

Posted in Air Quality, USA & Canada | Tagged Air Quality, Air Quality Action Day, Asthma, Code Orange, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, regional air quality, USA | Leave a comment

Code Orange air quality alert for Friday

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Respro® UK Ltd

The Baltimore area has reached Code Orange air quality and as the mercury rises, the air quality is forecasted to be unhealthy.

Residents are advised to limit outdoor physical activity, as the air pollution levels can be particularly harmful to children, older adults and anyone with a respiratory or heart condition.

Residents are encouraged to take the following actions to protect their health and the environment.

Limit driving, carpool or take public transit

Refuel your car in the evening

Put off lawn care until the air quality improves

Use a gas or electric grill instead of charcoal

via Code Orange air quality alert for Friday.

You can protect yourself by wearing a mask. Why wear a mask?