Tiny traps for toxic gases
Seemingly at the leading edge of innovation in the field of air pollution and climate change mitigation are efforts to develop materials that can detect and trap pollutant gases. In some cases, captured molecules might also be stored and reused.
Tropical megacities enter new phase of declining air
A new study appears to reveal rapid degradation in air quality in megacities in Africa, Asia and the Middle East - as well as...
Thousands of tonnes of microfibre air pollution could be reduced by changing laundry drying...
A new study appears to reveal that tumble drying a load of laundry releases almost the same amount of potentially harmful microfibres into the...
Common houseplants can improve air quality indoors
Ordinary potted house plants can potentially make a significant contribution to reducing air pollution in homes and offices, according to new research led by...
Manchester to review options and evidence for new Clean Air Plan
The Greater Manchester Air Quality Administration Committee says it will begin the process of reviewing the evidence and options for a new Clean Air...
Strengthen red route pollution monitoring to save lives, says London air report
The London Assembly Environment Committee launched ‘Clean Air for all Londoners’ - a report on air pollution in the capital - on 23 March....
Government sets out new targets on air quality, water pollution, waste and woodland cover
The UK government announced new environmental targets in four key areas of air quality, water, waste reduction and woodland cover on 16 March....
We need stricter MOT tests to eliminate air pollution, says campaign group
The Westminster Commission for Road Air Quality (WCRAQ) - a social enterprise - believes it is making progress with its efforts to lobby parliament,...
Polluting vehicles predominate in car insurance enquiries, says survey
Despite the increasing popularity of greener vehicles, more than one in three (36%) cars in the UK fall into the worst two categories for...
NO2 peak recorded during COP26
The levels of air pollution in Glasgow rose by nearly a third during the climate summit, according to data released by sensor firm Aeternum.
A decade of ammonia in Africa
A new NASA-led study is the first to document changing atmospheric ammonia (NH3) concentrations in Africa over an extended period. Ammonia is an air pollutant which can lead to heart and lung-related illness. When present in excess in an ecosystem, it can make soil more acidic and hinder plant growth.
AQMesh pods measure volcanic emissions
Five AQMesh air quality monitoring pods are currently installed around Keflavic airport in Iceland to monitor gases produced by the nearby volcano at Fagradalsfjall, including hydrogen sulphide (H2S), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
PM2.5: Some parts more dangerous than others
Ammonium is one of the specific components of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that has been linked to a higher risk of death compared to other chemicals found in it, according to a new study.
Unhappy boomerang: PFAS pollution in ocean comes back to land
Many of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that end up in the ocean boomerang back to shore after they are re-emitted into air...
New stove emissions regulation sets a minimum standard
From 1st January 2022, a new regulation will impose Ecodesign requirements for solid fuel local space heaters. Regulation (EU) 2015/1185 24/5/2015 describes the...
Study shows substantial difference in radon levels between Canada and Sweden
There appear to be significant differences between Sweden and Canada in relation to radon levels in houses built in 1980 and later, according to...
Sponsored content: Firm celebrates 25 years of sensor technology development
Alphasense, the UK-based manufacturer of gas detection sensors, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in October 2021
Originally founded by scientist and entrepreneur Paul Gotley OBE...
Heated VOC analyser goes portable
Signal Group (UK) has launched a portable gas analyser, the SOLAR XPLORE, which apparently brings the advantages of the firm's Flame Ionisation Detection (FID) technology for VOC measurement to a compact, easily transportable device.
Healthy choices helper?
An emerging class of personal air quality monitoring devices fills a need for people who care about pollution exposure in their immediate vicinity. This level of granularity does make a difference, it seems. Envirotec spoke to Rainer Kiirsk, who helped develop the AirSniffler, a seemingly ground-breaking product for its power consumption and sub- 70 price tag, as well as the usefulness of the software that runs alongside it.
Simple setup for VOCs
Simple and accurate detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is promised by a new measurement approach developed at Gdansk University of Technology in Poland. Potential applications include air quality analysis and patient health screening.
