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January 2012 issue 69
Emission factors junked
DfT emission factors are no more. They are to be replaced by European
factors which better reflect real life.
Why are emissions so wrong?
Kings College London’s David Carslaw has been instrumental in uncovering
the problems with emission factors.
Factor changes listed in NAEI
The impact of emission factor changes (see above) has been listed in an
annex to the latest (2010) release of the National Atmospheric Emission
Inventory (NAEI).
Rise and fall in 2010
Targets have been met for a basket of pollutants although one – sulphur
dioxide – rose in 2010, the main NAEI report reveals.
Mayor to spread more glue to stick PM10
Dust suppressants are to be used outside problematic waste transfer
sites and building developments, the London Mayor has announced.
Off the hook
The High Court fight against Government plans to comply with EU air
pollution directives has ended with both sides claiming victory.
LEZ toughened in London
The London low emission zone has been toughened from the New Year and
now applies to vans as well as trucks and buses. When the LEZ was first
introduced, vans were supposed to be included from October 2010.
£10m clean up for London buses
TfL and the DfT are contributing £5m each to equip up to 1,000 London
buses with NOX traps.
Green wall revealed
The London Mayor has revealed a ‘stunning’ green wall intended to mop up
air pollution at Edgware Road.
More highs from index change
Government has accepted recommendations for changes to the air quality
index that could increase the number of reported moderate and high events.
It will be renamed the Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI).
Future hope for Healthy Air Campaign
The Healthy Air Campaign looks is set to survive the collapse of its key
sponsor Environmental Protection UK which is to cease trading in March (AQB
December 2011 p1).
AQB ‘yardstick’ shows a worsening for 2011
The Air Quality Bulletin ‘yardstick’ (the green line, above) is a rough
and ready measure aimed at providing a quick summary of national air
pollution soon after the New Year and some weeks before official indicators
are produced.
Kelly replaces Ayres at Comeap
King’s College London’s Frank Kelly has become chairman of the Committee
on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (Comeap). He replaces Jon Ayres.
Mogden odour back in court
The long running Mogden odour case has been back in the High Court with
residents winning modest damages which may provide useful precedent for
future nuisance cases.
Time limit twist for compliance
London looks set to have complied with the PM10 directive – but only
because of higher limits allowed because a time extension was granted,
freedom of information documents suggest.
£1.2m grant boost for councils
In a surprise announcement, air quality grant to councils has been
boosted by £1.186m.
UK wheels and deals in Brussels?
Speaking at the recent RSC AAMG meeting held in London, Defra’s Helen
Ainsworth appeared to suggest that the UK may well prefer to argue for
weaker air policy in Brussels, which is considering revisions to the
directive.
AQC & Aether win LAQM thinkpiece
Air Quality Consultants and Aether have won a Defra contract to review
the effectiveness of local authority air quality action plans and future
policy options for local air quality management.
Carbon capture rise
The increased energy required for carbon capture and storage could
worsen air pollution, a report from the European Environment Agency states.
European industrial pollution costed
Air pollution from the 10,000 largest polluting facilities in Europe
cost between €102 and €169bn in 2009, the European Environment Agency (EEA)
claims.
Better buses
A £50m Better Bus fund has been launched.
PVR guidance
Guidance has been produced explaining regulations on the PVR2 directive
which covers petrol stations.
Agency pinned down
The Highways Agency has released data on M25 air quality levels
following a freedom of information request.
OPAL runner up
The Open Air Laboratories project (OPAL) was recognised as one of the
UK’s best environment projects at the National Lottery Awards
Average exposure
Target PM2.5 baselines on which reductions will be based are discussed
in a new report.
Sepa switch
SEPA’s director of science and strategy Professor James Curran has
become its new chief executive following the resignation of existing chief
executive Dr Campbell Gemmell.
Scottish background
Projected Scottish background maps for NOx, NO2 and PM10 for 2010, 2015,
and 2020, have been published.
UWE approved
UWE’s Air Quality Management Resource Centre has had its MSc on air
quality and carbon management approved.
Trees: the pollution solution?
Another academic paper has emerged extolling the virtues of using trees
to cut air pollution.
Building sites: how to assess
Construction and demolition sites have air quality impacts that need to
be assessed, says the IAQM
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