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July 2008
PM data unreliable
Recent years of UK particle data may be fundamentally wrong.
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Monitoring networks analysis of
trends in gravimetric particulate mass measurements in the UK by Richard
Maggs et al, and Defra’s letter Analysis of trends in particulate matter in
the UK: measurement issues can be viewed on the reports section of
www.airquality.co.uk
Joined up warning to Government
A clutch of environmental groups have joined together in a bid to discourage
the Government from applying for a derogation from EU air quality laws.
Gong for Pilling
Leeds University’s Professor Mike Pilling, outgoing chairman of the Air
Quality Expert Group, has received a CBE
Directive published
The new European Union Directive on ambient air quality has now entered into
force. The directive was finally agreed earlier this year (AQB May p1) and
simply needed to be published as its final stage.
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The directive can be viewed on
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:152:0001:0044:EN:PDF
Air quality consultancies ranked
Air Quality Bulletin has contacted key consultants in the UK air
quality market. We asked the question “how many full time-equivalent people
work on UK air quality consultancy but excluding technical and support
staff”?
News from the recent Iapsc meeting held in London
DMRB runs late – factors blamed
The long running update of the DMRB air quality screening model should be
ready by the end of the year, the Highways Agency’s Michele Hackman told
IAPSC.
Agency disagrees with councils on AQMAs
The Highways Agency air quality specialist Michele Hackman told Iapsc
delegates of recent Agency initiatives. One shock finding is that the Agency
disbelieves nearly half of all road-prompted air quality management areas
(AQMAs).
Guidance soon on crushing triviality
Jonathan Lartice, Defra air quality expert, told Iapsc that guidance will
soon be issued on small mobile crushers.
Technical guidance due soon
More details have emerged on technical guidance that is set to be released
for consultation imminently.
Buncefield: could do better
The Environment Agency is being funded to set up an emergency air quality
response capability.
Networks did pick up Buncefield plume
The London and south east England monitoring network proved crucial in
picking up plume grounding from the Buncefield fire, Gary Fuller of ERG told
the recent Iapsc conference.
Highways Agency tries real time sensing
The Highways Agency’s Michele Hackman revealed that the Agency is
cooperating with a multi-disciplinary project to develop real time emissions
sensing. The project aims to create a new sensing infrastructure based on a
combination of ad-hoc mobile and fixed sensors.
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www.message-project.org
NOx eating barrier for Manchester route
The Highways Agency has shown off its new ‘Noxer’ barrier being installed on
the M60 near Manchester. It features NOx reducing paint on a concrete noise
barrier – corrugations offering up more surface area of reactant.
London LEZ toughens
The second phase of the London low emission zone starts next week.
Final low emission guidance released
The final version of the consultation on new guidance for use of low
emission strategies has been launched
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The report is available from cenex
www.cenex.co.uk
Defra consults on European IPPC ‘greybits’
Defra is seeking comments on proposed changes to the European Commission’s
proposed Directive on Industrial Emissions (Integrated Pollution Prevention
and Control) (Recast).
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www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/emissions-greybits/
Bristol trials Trafficbox
Enviro Technology, working in partnership with Bristol City Council, has
installed a Trafficbox compact air quality monitoring system in Bristol’s
Old Market for evaluation purposes.
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www.et.co.uk
RCEP to continue
Defra will continue to support the Royal Commission on Environmental
Pollution, it has said in its response to a review of the group.
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Copies of the review report and the
government response can be downloaded from the Defra website
www.defra.gov.uk/environment/rcep/review2006-07.htm
Vaughan vaults in
The replacement for Defra air quality expert Sarah Dudgeon is Robert
Vaughan.
Jersey air scrutiny
A scrutiny panel looking at delays in implementing air quality action in
Jersey has blamed an unclear division of responsibilities.
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www.scrutiny.gov.je
Airport review
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly today called for evidence for its review into
the economic regulation of airports.
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www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/airports/reviewregulationukairports
Best cars named
The Toyota Yaris has been named Green Car of the Year 2008 by the
Environmental Transport Association. The least-green car is the 8-litre
Dodge SRT-10 sports car.
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The car buyers’ guide is at
www.eta.co.uk
Lincs biomass plan
Energy minister Malcolm Wicks has given the go ahead to Helius Energy to
build a 65 MW biomass power station near Stallingborough in North East
Lincolnshire.
Odour workshop
The Composting Association (soon to become the Association for Organics
Recycling) is running four free workshops jointly with the Environment
Agency. The first will be held in Birmingham on Wednesday 9 July.
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www.compost.org.uk
Manchester charge
The Government will invest £2.8 billion across Greater Manchester – if it
adopts a peak time congestion charge.
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More details are available
www.gmfuturetransport.co.uk
Walking guidance
Guidance has been released on producing maps to help walking and reduce
pollution.
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Guidance and research on producing
walking maps can be viewed on
www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/walking/maps.pdf
AEA buys US firm
AEA has bought Project Performance Corporation for £33m. The US firm is an
IT outfit which does environmental database work for the US Government. AEA
hopes there will be synergies between its UK emissions inventory, climate
change and energy efficiency expertise with work in the States. It will fund
the acquisition with a rights issue.
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www.aeat.com
Lighthouse added
Air Monitors has added a “Lighthouse” to its product portfolio.
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www.airmonitors.co.uk
Southwell for Thermo
Roger Southwell has joined Thermo’s Air Quality Instrument (AQI) division.
Taxi clean up
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced funding of £1m to trial low
carbon technology in London’s taxi fleet.
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