The American Lung Association released a report that said air pollution in the United States was at its lowest level in 1o years.
In some areas however the air quality has actually worsened. More than 40% of people in the US still live in areas where air pollution threatens their health.
US air pollution lowest in 10 years, according to American Lung Association | GlobalPost.
People who live in city centres are twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery calcification (CAC), which can lead to heart disease, than people who live in less polluted urban and rural areas.
Heart study suggests city center pollution doubles risk of calcium build-up in arteries.
The battle continues…
The BBC has published a comparison between previous London mayors and Boris Johnson’s performance on tackling air quality. Air pollution in London is still the highest in Europe and more than twice the World Health Organisation limits.
BBC News – London election: Mayors’ air pollution records compared.
Picture this….
It’s the middle of the night, London Mayor, Boris Johnson is on his hands and knees outside the air quality monitoring station on the Marylebone Road… pot of glue in one hand, brush in the other, smearing it on the road.
What is he doing?
He is making sure that the pollution that fills the city air sticks firmly to the ground to keep levels below EC limits. He is aware that if the glue doesn’t work, Brussels bad boys, will be knocking on his door with a hefty penalty charge for poor air quality.
Poor Boris….
“It’s not my fault” he cries, “I am only doing my job…. I can’t be responsible for all the pollution in London, can I…… “Anyway, its not all our pollution! About 40% blows over from Europe and another 5% from the Sahara desert!”
So Boris, what are you doing apart from spreading copious amounts glue around the London roads?
Answer….. not a lot.
The various air pollutants, like Nitrogen Dioxide, continue to exceed European permitted levels and the government appear unable to tackle the problem.
So…our advice…. don’t hold your breath, get a mask and get on.
For more info:
Air pollution: Government called to Court of Appeal [1848].
A recent study in the British Medical Journal found that breathing in large amounts of traffic fumes can trigger a heart attack. http://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d5531
29,000 deaths reference: the Committee on the Medical Affects of Air Pollutants http://comeap.org.uk/images/stories/Documents/Reports/COMEAP_Mortality_Effects_Press_Release.pdf
Boris Johnson is being accused by Labour MPs of using dust particle suppressants near air quality monitoring sites to bring down their readings.
Boris Johnson accused of hiding London air pollution | Environment | guardian.co.uk.
The Environmental Protection Agency EPA has issued first ever air pollution rules for fracking wells. Drillers will be required to capture gas and its smog producing compounds that are released when the wells are tapped for the first time. This should cut 95% of the chemicals released by fracking wells, that are linked to asthma, other respiratory diseases and cancer.
EPA Nipping at the Heels of Shale Gas Producers | EnergyBiz.
A new study suggests air pollution link to obesity in children.
Air pollution entails a massive cost amounting to Taka 124 billion (about £924,000 or $1,490,000) a year in the capital alone in terms of lost human health and life, an economic evaluation of the contamination shows.
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