Link between air pollution and dementia cannot be ignored, experts warn
Experts have called for stricter air pollution targets to tackle the risk of dementia after studies revealed a potential link between poor air quality and the condition. Research now links pollution to an increased risk of dementia, even at levels below UK, US and EU air quality standards. A team at the Harvard TH Chan […]
Innovation fund to fuel red diesel alternatives in construction industry
A fund has been created by the UK Government to boost innovation in technology to curb reliance on polluting red diesel in the construction industry. Red diesel is often used for off-road, heavy-duty vehicles such as bulldozers, forklifts and cranes. It is also often used to power machinery in industrial settings and accounts for around […]
‘World’s densest’ network of air quality sensors to be installed in Camden
Camden Council in London has unveiled plans to install 250 advanced air quality sensors in a bid to improve public health and wellbeing. The local authority has partnered with air quality monitoring company AirLabs to install the ‘Airnode’ sensors, which provide real time data on air quality levels. Unlike existing sensors, the devices are capable […]
National Clean Air Day June 17
The difference clean air can make to children’s lives will be the focus of this year’s National Clean Air Day on June 17th after research revealed reducing air pollution levels could improve children’s learning. A report by the Global Action Plan, the Philips Foundation and University of Manchester indicated that reducing levels of air pollution […]
Call for more air quality information to help change behaviour
Almost 90% of people in a UK survey on air quality said the public does not enough information on air pollution – with more than 80% saying a greater awareness would make them try to minimise their negative impact. Almost three quarters of the 4,063 respondents to a survey conducted by energy supplier E.ON wanted […]
Call to reduce dangerous levels of air pollution around schools
More than a quarter of the UK’s schools, nurseries and colleges are in areas with ‘dangerously high’ levels of air pollution, new research reveals. A total of 8,549 educational establishments – 27% – are located in areas where annual fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels are higher than World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Asthma UK and […]
Poor air quality still more of a threat to life than coronavirus
My head was turned by a headline I spotted last week during my routine media scans proclaiming that poor air quality is a greater risk to human health than the coronavirus. My research background and day job tell me that’s nothing new – I’ve long known air pollution is a mass killer the word over. […]
How Covid has impacted the planning process
Local authorities have been urged by the Government to be ‘innovative’ in how they manage applications and workloads during the current Coronavirus crisis lockdown period. Chief Steve Quartermain, outgoing Chief Planner at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, called on councils to ‘be practical, be pragmatic and let’s plan for the recovery’. Acknowledging […]
COVID-19: The good news story emerging from the sci-fi style crisis
As the world is gripped by the health and economic crisis born of COVID-19 and millions of us start our lockdown life, it is hard to find anything to be pleased about. The shutters have come down on bars and restaurants, family gatherings are as good as banned and high streets are ghost towns with […]
Green New Deal unveiled for London
London mayor Sadiq Khan has announced plans to spend £50m on a Green New Deal for London as part of a pledge to make the city carbon neutral by 2030. He said his plans would help improve the capital’s dangerous levels of air pollution “I’m unapologetic at how ambitious my plans are for a Green New […]
Building better biodiversity
Broad ranging measures announced as the UK Government unveiled its Environment Bill have been welcomed by the team at Syntegra which is already ahead of the game providing services which will become mandated under the new legislation. Building developments will increasingly have to be delivered in a way which protects and enhances nature. The bill, […]
DEFRA announces £2m of clean air funding for councils as Queen’s Speech focuses on tackling environmental concerns
Schemes to tackle air pollution have been given a boost with the opportunity for local authorities to bid for cash from a new £2 million Government fund as the Queen’s Speech focused on a series of environmental concerns to be addressed in ‘momentous’ legislation. The latest round of Air Quality Grant funding is available for […]
IAQM broadens remit to include indoor air quality issues
The Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM) has broadened its scope to cover issues related to indoor air quality. Increasing numbers of enquiries about indoor air quality concerns to the industry body whose agenda has historically been focused on improving ambient air quality prompted a membership survey about the change of remit. Until now, there […]
Carbon neutral deadline revised by UK Government
The UK has increased its commitment to reduce carbon usage by 80% by 2050 to a commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050. This is expected to be achieved by adopting Hydrogen as an alternative to gas, and using renewable sources for electricity generation, with a greater utilisation of GSHP and Air Source heat pumps. […]
Measures introduced to tackle poor indoor air quality at children’s nurseries
Five London nurseries in some of London’s most polluted areas are to trial new air quality filtration studies after research indicated indoor pollution levels can be much higher than outside. The systems are set to reduce NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 as studies show that children exposed to these smaller pollution particles and gases are more […]
UK Clean Air Strategy launched
The UK Government has unveiled its Clean Air Strategy to how it will tackle all sources of air pollution. Exposure to the pollution still present in our atmosphere is one the UK’s biggest public health challenges, shortening lifespans and damaging quality of life for many people. It also harms the natural environment. Clean air is […]
Blockchain technology to help Liverpool become world’s first climate-positive city
Liverpool City Council is joining forces with a blockchain platform to offset more than 110% of its carbon emissions in a bid to become the world’s climate positive city by the end of 2020. The council is set to conduct a year-long trial with the Poseidon Foundation to use a blockchain platform to offset the […]
Government unveils fund to tackle air pollution
Local authorities in some of the most polluted parts of the UK will be able to access a multi-million pound fund to boost air quality levels in their area. The government has unveiled a £220m fund to improve air quality plus a £40m support scheme for local authorities to combat air pollution, part of a […]
Do engineers have a responsibility to improve indoor air quality?
Delegates at a recent conference heard how engineers can become ‘heroes’ if they recommend the right filters to customers seeking improved air quality in their buildings. The appropriate systems and maintenance of air conditioning provision can reduce the levels of harmful particles people breathe in. The World Health Organisation estimates air pollution costs the UK […]
Indoor Air Quality Plan – Plot C Farnborough Business Park
Syntegra Consulting has been appointed as indoor air quality consultants for Plot C, Farnborough Business Park. With poor indoor air quality now recognised as a major factor underlying occupant health issues and reduced productivity, it has become an important consideration for building design and management. In accordance with BREEAM’s stringent indoor air quality assessment criteria, […]
Indoor Air Quality Plan & testing – Renaissance Office Buildings, Croydon
Syntegra Consulting has been appointed as indoor air quality consultants for the Renaissance office building development in the heart of Croydon’s Central Business District. With poor indoor air quality now recognised as a major factor underlying occupant health issues and reduced productivity, it has become an important consideration for building design and management. In accordance […]
Key Green Building Rating Systems- what systems are used where?
The increased number of green building organisations has lead to an increase in the use of green building rating systems on an international scale. These rating systems include: LEED (USA), BREEAM (UK), Green Star, (Australia) CASBEE (Japan) and Green Star (South Africa). These assessment tools provide projects with a qualitative evaluation of the several benefits […]
You must be logged in to post a comment.