Latest news with #NO2
BBC News
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Newcastle air pollution sees 'significant' drop in last year
There was a "significant" drop in air pollution in Newcastle last year, according to a new from the city council showed a 9% fall in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels from 2023 to authority bosses hailed the results as proof that its Clean Air Zone (CAZ) tolls, introduced in January 2023, were having a "positive impact".Under the CAZ, which was imposed in response to illegal levels of air pollution in certain hotspots, some high-polluting vehicles are charged daily tolls of up to £50 for driving through Newcastle city centre. Despite the improvement, civic centre officials said the CAZ would remain in force as there were still two areas where emissions exceed legal worst spot in the city for air pollution remains close to the Corner House junction on the Coast Road, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.A pollution sensor located at the junction of Stephenson Road and Jesmond Park West recorded an average NO2 level of 64.5 micrograms per cubic metre of air (μg/m3) in 2024, well above the legal maximum of there was a slight improvement there compared to the 67.1 μg/m3 recorded in the previous 12 months, and the situation was notably better than in both 2022 and 2021, when average readings were over 92 μg/ bosses have repeatedly argued the NO2 levels that people are exposed to in the residential parts of Stephenson Road, rather than at the roadside, are actually Sathian, the Labour-led city council's cabinet member for climate and transport, said she was delighted with the reduction in pollution levels."As more people upgrade from older, more polluting vehicles to cleaner models with reduced emissions we hope to see even more improvements in the future," she said."These latest figures show that we are making important positive steps forward in achieving this but there are still further improvements needed." Follow BBC Newcastle on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
NO2 levels in city's air three times higher than safe limits
Gurgaon: Concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) -- a pollutant emitted by burning fuel in vehicles, power plants and industries – exceeded the maximum safe limit by three times in the past two days. Data from the Gwal Pahari air quality monitoring station showed that average NO2 for eight hours was 133µg/m³ on Thursday and 123µg/m³ on Friday. In India, the safe limit for exposure to NO2 is 40µg/m³. The maximum concentration considered safe by the World Health Organization is even lower, at 25 µg/m³. Experts said emissions from vehicles, especially in congested areas, is likely to be the key reason for NO2 pollution. They said NO2 does not get as much regulatory attention as other pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), though it is associated with exacerbating respiratory ailments. Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said on Friday, "Elevated NO₂ levels in the city are predominantly due to vehicular emissions. Old vehicles and traffic congestion are key sources of NO2 here." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Asked about action taken to reduce NO2 emissions, an official of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) said the agency has allowed a private firm to scrap old vehicles. "This aims to remove polluting vehicles from city roads," the official said. A senior HSPCB official said NO2 levels are likely to have spiked after brief relief due to pre-monsoon showers. "The recent rains had kept nitrogen dioxide levels in check by dispersing pollutants. But with clear skies and calmer weather now, NO2 from vehicular and industrial emissions is building up, especially in traffic-dense areas. Unlike particulate matter, NO2 often flies under the radar, but prolonged exposure can be equally hazardous," the official said. Currently, just one of the four air quality monitoring stations is functioning in the city. Dr Bandana Mishra, who heads the pulmonology and respiratory medicine department at Manipal Hospital in Gurgaon said everyone is at risk from high NO2 exposure, but children and the elderly suffer the most. "Nitrogen dioxide exposure can lead to increased inflammation of the airways, which results in persistent cough wheezing, reduced lung function and a higher frequency of asthma attacks," Dr Mishra said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers make critical breakthrough after using powerful satellite to track dangerous pollution: 'Large-scale missions'
Research published this March in the journal Environmental Research Letters has demonstrated an impressive new way to zero in on heavy polluters and monitor evolving pollution problems, according to a release via Researchers at the Max Planck Institute and Heidelberg University have established a method for using a German satellite, the Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program, or EnMAP, to determine the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) present in the same area "with an unprecedented spatial resolution." These common air pollutants are generally released from the same source, so measuring one or the other independently has been challenging to date. This team leveraged the new technique to assess emissions from power plants. The technology used for such measurements has typically "only [achieved] a spatial resolution of 3 to 5 kilometers" (about 1.9 to 3.1 miles), according to the release. But the EnMAP can achieve an "exceptionally high level of spatial detail" of a 30-meter (98-foot) square, producing more precise and usable data. NO2 isn't technically a greenhouse gas like CO2, methane (CH4), or nitrous oxide (N2O), though it is harmful when in the home. Meanwhile, because NO2 is so often emitted alongside CO2, it is often used to measure CO2 based on an assumed ratio. With independent measuring made possible with the EnMAP, readings can now provide more accurate and insightful information. The EnMAP has been in the sky for three years as of April and has been key to numerous climate-related studies. The paper's co-authors are hopeful about the future applications of the method they have developed using the satellite. "Our study shows how satellites with high spatial resolution can contribute to the targeted monitoring of industrial emissions in the future—in addition to large-scale missions such as the European CO2M satellite," said research leader Thomas Wagner in a statement. With accurate data being key to catching polluters as well as tracking potential improvements, there's the possibility for innovative measurement techniques to play a role in not only penalties for offenders but also in setting more pro-environment policies down the line. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
BBC News
29-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
York city centre pollution levels fall below legal limit
Recent air pollution levels at monitoring sites across York were all below legal limits for the first time since the pandemic, according to council data.A City of York Council report found that 2024 nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions at the Gillygate and Bootham junction fell by 27% when compared to 2023, when it reached its highest recorded level of 43 micrograms per cubic metre of air (μg/m3).Blossom Street near its junction with Queen Street had the highest recorded NO2 level at 32µg/m3 in 2024 - still falling below the 40µg/m3 legal report described the findings as a "public health and environmental success". It suggested grants given to taxi drivers to help buy low or zero emission cars had made a difference, along with phasing out fossil fuel-powered vehicles in the council's own fleet. The report proposed that air quality management areas may be revoked in future years if the reductions continued, according to the Local Democracy Reporting also found:The highest maximum yearly mean concentration was recorded at the Blossom Street and Holgate Road junction, reaching 32.4µg/m3It was followed by 31.1µg/m3 at the Gillygate and Bootham junction Yearly average levels were down by 12% in Heworth Green and 8% in Holgate RoadLevels at Nunnery Lane, Fulford Road and Lawrence Street were down by 8%, 7% and 2% respectivelyA 6% increase recorded at Fishergate is thought to be linked to a nearby construction site"For the first time since the pandemic, all monitored locations meet legal NO2 limits," it said. "Good air quality reduces absence from work and education due to air pollution related illnesses." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
10-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Newcastle's Stephenson Road a nitrogen dioxide pollution hotspot
A city may have to wait 20 years to cut pollution levels to legal limits because of issues with a single Road in Heaton, Newcastle, has high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and difficulties tackling the problem means the city is not forecast to meet targets until as late as 2045 -13 years behind the rest of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said one street could cause an entire area to be considered in breach of legal pollution limits and Tyneside had a particular "localised hotspot".Newcastle City Council identified that as Stephenson Road and said it "remained committed" to tackling its high NO2 levels. NO2 is a toxic gas which exacerbates asthma, impedes lung development and raises the risk of lung response to a parliamentary question, Defra said 13 urban areas in England with a population greater than 250,000 exceeded the annual mean limit value for NO2 in included Tyneside, Greater London and the Bristol urban area. The department said it did not hold "up-to-date detailed modelled projections" on the impact of current policies in reducing NO2 concentrations, but current estimates suggested all failing regions would comply by 2032, except for would meet the target by 2045 at the latest, Defra added.A Newcastle City Council spokesman said Stephenson Road experienced high pollution due to its "topography", as well as it being "a main bus route, busy junction and main route connecting North Tyneside into Newcastle".They also noted nearby residential streets did not exceed legal limits for the pollutant. Pollution trap Prof Margaret Bell at Newcastle University said there could be several reasons why the problem was so bad at this particular addition to the heavy traffic the road experienced, it was also very close to a grade-separated roundabout, she said, which "traps the pollution"."There's no ventilation under that roundabout," she said. "So the pollution will be building up and going out at the sides."Buildings around this "canyon" also sheltered the area from wind, she said, further cutting the level of pollution that could be as the roads at the site are on hills, cars are forced to accelerate which produces more pollution, according to Prof council said it was working with the government's Joint Air Quality Unit to tackle pollution issues on Stephenson Road, but it was not possible to "predict a precise date" when levels would become compliant in Newcastle. The road sits outside of the city's Clean Air Zone (CAZ) which was introduced in 2023. The local authority said data published since the launch of CAZ suggested "an overall improvement" in air both Defra and the council said a transition to low emission vehicles should lead to air pollution levels falling city council spokesperson said: "We know that poor air quality is harmful to everyone's health and we remain committed to tackling areas where we are still seeing unacceptably high levels of NO2." Follow BBC Newcastle on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.
