News

in brief

Carbon tax should fund free public transport, say researchers

The research team examined household expenditure data on home energy and motor fuel from 275,614 households across 27 European countries. They then examined the impact of introducing two different compensation strategies to mitigate the impact of new carbon taxes on low-income households. Carbon taxes on home energy and motor fuel often place a greater burden on low-income households because the same tax rate is applied to every taxpayer, regardless of income. The researchers found that giving cashback through tax rebates, without bringing in additional low carbon investments such as renewable electricity or public transport, would result in only small reductions in home energy and motor fuel emissions.

Commuters exposed to ‘extreme air pollution’ on train

Westminster, Birmingham and Oxfordshire County Council have written to Chris Heaton-Harris, a transport minister, and Edward Argar, a health minister, requesting that Chiltern Railways be asked to switch to alternative fuels to cut emissions. According to an air quality monitoring station on Boston Place, outside Marylebone Station, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels peaked at 81 µg m-3. The World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline level is 10 µg m-3. Particulate matter (PM2.5) peaked at 40 µg m-3, where the WHO’s guideline level is just 5 µg m-3.

Ozone pollution in India increased during lockdown

To get a clearer picture of air pollution in India, researchers at the University of York looked at nitrogen oxide (NOx), particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) pollution. They used hourly data from air quality monitoring stations and compared this data to the same dates from the previous three years to evaluate changes due to lockdown. When taking observational data into account, the researchers found that NOx and PM2.5 fell up to 57% and 75% respectively. But when meteorology was factored in, those percentages fell to less than 8% for PM2.5 and between 5 and 30% in both cities, while O3 increased.

Delhi records record-high air pollution

November saw record levels of air pollution in Delhi, India.

The daily average particulate matter (PM2.5) measurement was 410.5ug/m3, according to data analysed by Air Quality News from the RealTime Air Quality Index in Pusa, Delhi.

Anything over 300ug/m3 is considered hazardous, meaning everyone may experience more serious health effects

Experts have attributed these record pollution levels to the shifting of the stubble burning period by around a week due to a prolonged monsoon season and the use of fireworks during Diwali.

As a result of the air pollution, schools and colleges closed for over a week, government offices were asked to operate from home and private businesses were advised to work-from-home as much as possible.

The government also banned the use of diesel trucks for non-essential goods and shut down five coal power stations on Delhi’s outskirts.

The Delhi government also hired an extra 700 CNG buses to encourage people to use public transport. And a ban on construction has been reimposed to curb dust, a major source of pollution.

Dipankar Saha, former head of the CPCB’s air laboratory told Outlook India: ‘The emission sources for any defined area more or less remain the same throughout the year.

‘However, the concentration varies with the season. November being the transition phase, the air quality in northern India is always problematic because of lowering of the atmospheric boundary layer, wind speed, temperature and local action plan’s implementation.’

Portsmouth CAZ is now live

The Portsmouth CAZ is a class B zone meaning that buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles and heavy goods vehicles that do not meet the euro 6 or euro 4 standards will be charged to enter the zone.

Drivers of ‘noncompliant’ vehicles will be charged £10 a day to drive through the zone, and coaches and heavy goods vehicles will pay £50 a day.

There are some specific vehicle exemptions, including for emergency service and military vehicles. You can check if you’ll be charged on the government webpage: https://www.gov.uk/ clean-air-zones

Drivers of private vans, cars and motorcycles will not be charged, no matter how old the vehicle is.

Last Friday, the air quality improvement team held an Air Quality Improvement Showcase, attended by representatives from First Bus, Stagecoach and Pedal Portsmouth.

Cllr Dave Ashmore, Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Environment, said: ‘Today is the day the clean air zone launches, but we should be speaking about air quality every day. There are so many ways we can all make a difference to the air quality in our city. It might be using public transport more, ditching the second car and joining a car club, making your next vehicle electric, or walking, catching the bus or renting an e-scooter for your next short journey.

‘As a council we’re working on creating the best possible conditions for these changes, from installing on-street electric car charging points and bicycle parking to extending the rental e-scooter trial and prioritising walking and cycling routes for residents.’

London’s ULEZ led to just a small air quality improvement

Researchers at Imperial College London used publically available data to measure changes in pollution in the twelve-week period from February 2019, before the ULEZ was introduced to May 2019, after it had been implemented.

They found that compared to the overall decrease in London’s air pollution levels, the ULEZ caused only small improvements in air quality in the weeks following its start date: an average reduction of less than 3% for nitrogen dioxide and insignificant effects on ozone and particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations.

They also found that the biggest improvements in air quality in London in fact took place before the ULEZ was introduced in 2019.

They detected changes in levels of nitrogen dioxide and ozone at 70% and 24% of the monitoring sites around the time that the ULEZ was introduced, respectively.

The researchers say their findings highlight that ULEZs are not a silver bullet and that sustained improvements in air pollution require multiple measures.

Corresponding author Dr Marc Stettler said: ‘Cities considering air pollution policies should not expect ULEZs alone to fix the issue as they contribute only marginally to cleaner air. This is especially the case for pollutants that might originate elsewhere and be blown by winds into the city, such as particulate matter and ozone.

‘Our research suggests that a ULEZ on its own is not an effective strategy to improve air quality – the case of London shows us that it works best when combined with a broader set of policies that reduce emissions across sectors like bus and taxi retrofitting, support for active and public transport, and other policies on polluting vehicles.’

UN acknowledges children’s right to clean air

Over 29,000 children across the world have called on the Committee of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) to acknowledge their right to clean air, through the Freedom to Breathe campaign.

The vice-chair of the Committee today acknowledged the right of children to clean air and confirmed it will be elevated within the UNCRC through the forthcoming General Comment no.26. The vice-chair, Philip D Jaffé, agreed that we need an “air quality revolution”, but stressed that it would take decades to change the Convention, adding that the Committee will support the campaign by including the right to clean air in the upcoming general comment.

The campaign was run by Blueair and a coalition of NGOs, with 62 civil society organisations, academics and businesses supporting the children’s call in a letter to the Committee, including UNICEF UK, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Unilever.

Sara Alsén, chief purpose officer at Blueair, said: ‘Blueair was founded on the belief that business should be a force for good in society. For the last 25 years, we have been fighting for every child’s right to breathe clean air. I’m so proud that, today, the UN acknowledged our fight and recognized that clean air, just like clean water, should be the right of every child.’

The campaign has now collected 29,674 calls from children for clean air, with the support of their teachers through an education programme that taught children about the importance of clean air and how they can take action.

in briefin brief

Air pollution exposure associated with higher risk of developing Covid-19

The study included over 9,000 participants among which there were 481 confirmed cases. For the total study population, an association was found between higher exposure to nitrogen oxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5) and covid-19 symptoms, particularly for severe cases that ended in the hospital or in intensive care. The association with PM2.5 was stronger for men over 60 years of age and people living in socioeconomically deprived areas.

New homes and buildings will have to install EV chargers

This announcement comes as the Prime Minister addresses the CBI annual conference. The government expects that thanks to these regulations, up to 145,000 extra charge points will be installed across England each year. With the majority of charging happening at home, this will mean people can buy new properties already ready for an EV. As well as new homes and nonresidential buildings, undergoing large scale renovations which leaves them with over 10 parking spaces will also be required to install EV charge points.

Air pollution at ports increased during the pandemic, study finds

The findings serve as a stark contrast to findings from the NASA Earth Observatory which found that the freeze in industrial processes in the pandemic resulted in generally lower air pollution. In Singapore, the researchers found that emissions were modelled to have more than doubled (123%) during the pandemic period. They increased twofold in Los Angeles (100%) and over a quarter (27%) in Hamburg, Germany. Container ships and dry bulk carriers marked the sharpest increase of all total emissions, seeing an average increase of 94% and 142% respectively

in brief

The UK must expand EV recycling to avoid supply risks, says report

Looking at the projected use of lithium, cobalt, silver and rare earth elements by the UK’s low carbon industries, the report found that the UK will easily exceed its per capita share of critical raw material reserves by 2050. China currently controls 60% of global mine production and 40% of rare earth metal reserves, the authors warn that there are signifi cant supply chain risks to UK businesses. However, the UK can limit the threat of supply risks if it builds up its domestic recycling of valuable materials and cuts energy use, reducing the pressure on technology growth.

New ventilation fund will help prevent the spread of Covid

Small and medium-sized businesses such as restaurants, bars and gyms will be able to claim back costs of up to £2,500 to undertake work such as the installation of carbon dioxide monitors and remedial improvement work to windows and vents. Businesses will be able to fi ll in a self-assessment form to receive advice on improving their current ventilation systems and identify if they are eligible for fi nancial support from their local authority. Eff ective ventilation is a key public health measure to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading and is of increasing importance during autumn and winter as people spend more time indoors.

Study will investigate whether air cleaners reduce Covid-19 in schools

The study is investigating two diff erent approaches to cleaning the air with the use of portable or wallmounted devices. One is based on fi ltering the air by passing it through a High-Effi ciency Particulate Air (HEPA) fi lter which captures most airborne viruses. The second approach involves cycling the air through an enclosed unit where it is exposed to ultraviolet light which inactivates microorganisms including viruses. The two technologies have been widely used in other settings and are regarded as safe. Based on the outcome of modelling, the scientists involved have said they’re confi dent the technologies will reduce the risk of Covid-19 being spread through aerosol transmission.

Air pollution linked to stroke admissions

There is a correlation between air pollution and stroke admissions in Ireland, an Oireachtas committee has been told.

Dr Colm Byrne, from the Irish Doctors for the Environment, carried out the research. He told the joint committee that air pollution from cars aff ects respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Dr Byrne said: ‘Our research has demonstrated a correlation between traffic-produced air pollution and stroke admissions in this country.

‘This is in line with international studies that have demonstrated that there is no such thing as a safe level of air pollution, and recent changes to WHO guidelines have reflected this reality.

‘There are, however, other effects of cars to human health than just tailpipe emissions. All cars, including electric-propelled cars, produced particulate matter from other sources such as tyre wear and brake pads.’

Dr Bryne also said that noise pollution is increasingly being recognised as a major health issue, with cardiovascular disease, stroke, and dementia among others, associated with noise pollution.

Damien O Tuama, the national cycling coordinator at Cyclist.ie, told the Irish Examiner: ‘For e-bikes, it’s not just about decarbonising transport, they’re very much at the heart of decongesting Irish towns and cities and villages, and really making the board more economically vibrant.

‘They improve the liveability of towns because more spaces opened up for business of the public space. Crucially, they improve public health through being active travel vehicles themselves, you only get the kick from the electric power when you pedal yourself.’

Failure to act has led to thousands of air pollution related deaths

The UK Government could have avoided thousands of deaths in 2019 had it acted to reduce air pollution, according to new fi gures from the European Environment Agency.

According to the analysis, in 2019 fi ne particulate matter (PM2.5) was responsible for more than 33,000 deaths annually in the UK and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was responsible for 5,750 deaths.

The UK was in the top five European countries with the most premature deaths resulting from both PM2.5 pollution and NO2 pollution.

Half of these deaths from PM2.5 could have been avoided if the UK had followed the latest recommendations by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The country’s new Environment Act has just been passed but campaigners have warned that the UK has missed an opportunity to follow WHO guidelines for PM2.5.

Andrea Lee, clean air campaign manager at ClientEarth said: ‘The world’s leading experts have made it clear that there is no level of air pollution that’s safe to breathe – and this is why our government must be doing all it can to keep our exposure as low as possible.

‘That starts with reflecting the best possible science in the law. The current legal limits for air pollution just don’t cut it.

We need to see the WHO guidelines reflected in legislation as soon as possible, to protect us and our children. The air we breathe today shapes our lives forever.”