quality

Evaluating the impact of air quality measures is essential

Recent research has investigated the effectiveness of air quality management at the regional level in Italy and found that some of the most commonly adopted measures do not always produce the highest emissions reductions.




quality

Air quality co-benefits should be considered in climate policies

Measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have the additional benefit of reducing air pollutants. However, these benefits are rarely included in the design and evaluation of climate change policies. A new study suggests that considering these benefits in climate change policy could reduce the cost of such policies, and engage stakeholders who are otherwise unmotivated to tackle climate change.




quality

Clean Development Mechanism projects in China improve air quality

Despite some criticisms about the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), a new study has indicated that CDM projects in China could be making sizeable improvements to air quality. The research predicted, in particular, that the projects' associated SO2 reductions would make up 13-14 per cent of the reductions in 2010 towards the national target level.




quality

Climate change impacts on future air quality over Europe

Climate change is likely to significantly affect future air quality over Europe. According to a recent European study, climate change alone is likely to significantly increase ozone pollution in Europe and by as much as 50 µg.m-3 (micrograms per cubic metre) over central France in July by the year 2100, compared with 1990 levels.




quality

Distributed power generation may be better for air quality

A recent study has compared the impact of future power generated from large, central stations with power generated from smaller distributed generators (DG) in California on air quality. It concluded that although DG produces more emissions, its impact on air quality is likely to be smaller than central power stations due to complex interactions between air chemistry and transport.




quality

Improved prediction of urban air quality through ‘neural’ networks

A recent study assesses new methods for comparing and predicting air quality data in Helsinki, Finland and Thessaloniki, Greece, that significantly improve the capability to analyse and predict air quality in these cities. There are good indications that the methods could be applied to other European cities.




quality

Parallel parking improves air quality on urban pavements

Pedestrians are exposed to different levels of pollution on the pavements depending on how parked cars at the roadside are arranged, according to the first in a series of new studies in this area. The researchers modelled different parking regimes and found that less pollution reached the pavement when cars were parked sideways on, rather than at an angle to the street. Their results may help urban planners design more pedestrian-friendly streets.




quality

Global air quality to worsen significantly under ‘business as usual’ human activity

Global air quality will significantly deteriorate by 2050 unless further steps are taken to cut current emissions from human activities, according to recent research. Most people around the world will be affected by worsening air quality with hotspots of particularly poor air occurring in China, northern India and the Middle East.




quality

Mediterranean capital pollution has far-reaching effects on air quality

New research has modelled the impacts of Athens and Istanbul in the eastern Mediterranean, on local and regional air quality. Results indicate that the impacts of megacity pollution vary significantly according to the time of year and that air quality improvements will require coordinated efforts within the eastern Mediterranean region and beyond.




quality

EU ship emissions directive improves air quality in harbours

To reduce air pollution levels in harbours, EU Directive 2005/33/EC requires all anchored ships to use fuels with low sulphur content. A recent study of air quality in Mediterranean harbours shows that levels of sulphur dioxide have decreased significantly since the Directive was implemented in 2010.




quality

CO2 and ozone affect wheat’s nutritional quality

Predicting the effects of changing levels of atmospheric gases on agricultural crops is vital to ensuring food security under global environmental change. As well as yield, impacts on the nutritional value of crops must be considered. A new study has now shown that increased ozone decreases yields and increases the proportion of protein in the grain. Conversly, elevated levels of CO2 boosts wheat yields, but it also reduces protein proportion in two different ways.




quality

Five years on: changes to vehicle fleets and air quality in London’s low emission zone

Low emission zones (LEZs), which restrict access for high emission vehicles, have proven to be a successful way to improve air quality in line with EU regulations. An analysis of London’s LEZ has revealed discernible reductions in air pollution levels five years after implementation.




quality

Air quality in Europe: pollution levels have dropped, but health concerns remain

Some progress has been made towards improving air quality in Europe with levels of sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and benzene all falling substantially in recent years, a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) concludes. However, threats to human health and ecosystems remain, and urban citizens’ exposure to high levels of particulate matter (PM) and ozone are a particular concern.




quality

Black carbon pollution from megacities and effects on global air quality

Air pollution from the world’s megacities not only has local impacts, but can spread to remote regions of the world. Recent research has highlighted, for example, that megacities are a source of black carbon pollution in lowest kilometre of atmosphere in the Arctic, with European megacities contributing more than others.




quality

European air quality in 2020: success story for PM2.5

Levels of the air pollutant PM2.5 in Europe will continue to fall in 2020, concludes a recent study. Furthermore, deposition of nitrogen from air pollution will also drop. The outlook seems less positive for ground-level ozone, however, as large amounts of this pollutant continue drift over to Europe from other continents.




quality

Fourteen days of poor air quality caused 4 000 extra healthcare visits in UK

Real time monitoring of public health during two periods of high air pollution in the UK showed that there were an estimated 3 500 extra healthcare visits for acute respiratory symptoms and approximately 500 for severe asthma during these spells in 2014. The results of this research are presented in a new study which demonstrates the value of such ‘syndromic surveillance’ systems for exploring air quality’s effects on human health.




quality

Waste incinerator impacts monitored via milk and vegetable quality

Emissions from well-regulated household waste incinerators do not reduce the quality of vegetables and milk produced nearby, a Dutch study suggests. Researchers found that levels of certain contaminants were similar whether vegetables and milk came from the area surrounding three incinerators, or from elsewhere in the Netherlands. They say biomonitoring programmes could offer a way to increase the understanding of the real impacts of waste incineration and to improve communication between waste management companies and local communities.




quality

Air quality impact of diesel ‘severely underestimated’

Hydrocarbons are precursors to hazardous air pollutants including ozone and particulate matter. Hydrocarbons from diesel make up over 50% of all hydrocarbons in the air in London, a new study has found. The authors also estimate that they contribute up to half of total ozone production potential in London, and say future air quality control strategies must focus more on these pollutants.




quality

Air quality health impact assessments should use combination of metrics

Health impact assessments (HIAs) provide information on the potential health impacts of policies, and are important for developing regulation on air pollution. In this study, researchers evaluated the metrics currently used in air quality HIAs to provide recommendations for their use in policy.




quality

Poor air quality associated with increased risk of preterm birth

Research using the Environmental Quality Index (EQI) linked increased risk of preterm birth with poor air quality, but not with overall low environmental quality. The study is one of the first to explore the relationship between preterm birth and environmental quality across a range of different environmental domains (including water, air, land, built environment and sociodemographic aspects).




quality

Air quality assessment in the EU: room for improvement?

Different modelling approaches are used to design and assess air quality plans across Europe. This study assessed the strengths and weaknesses of these different approaches. The researchers conclude that a large variety of models is in use, without a preferred or standard model having emerged yet. They identify integrating local-scale and large-scale models and verifying models with measurements as the most important challenges.




quality

Coordinated policies can benefit both air quality and climate change

Pollutants emitted by human activities have caused declines in air quality and drastic changes to climate. Despite being inextricably linked, these two major environmental issues tend to be viewed separately by policy. However, in certain instances, considering these issues together could lead to strategies that benefit both, according to a newly published review.




quality

Understanding uncertainty in air-quality modelling with new framework

A recent study develops a framework for implementing IAMs using the Lombardy region of Italy as a case study. Researchers have run an uncertainty and sensitivity analysis with an environmental model, specifically with an Integrated Assessment Model (IAM) for air quality, demonstrating how model components are sources of uncertainty in the output of an integrated assessment. Policy responses should therefore consider uncertainty and sensitivity when developing measures to improve air quality.




quality

Urban vegetation can react with car emissions to decrease air quality in summer (Berlin)

Researchers have shown that emissions from vehicles can react with emissions from urban trees and other plants, resulting in a decrease in air quality in cities in summer; this reduces the otherwise positive impacts of urban vegetation. The study, conducted in Berlin, showed that during a July heatwave, 20% of ozone concentrations were due to emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from vegetation interacting with other pollutants. To reduce this effect, lowering emissions of these other pollutants is crucial.




quality

OFFICAIR project finds seasonal variation in indoor air quality in modern office buildings

A new study aimed at increasing knowledge of indoor air quality (IAQ) in recently built or refurbished office buildings has found that levels of pollutants are mostly within World Health Organization (WHO) air-quality guidelines, however they vary between seasons. In addition, some levels of particulate matter were found to exceed WHO guideline values. The OFFICAIR project was funded by the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme.




quality

Air quality co-benefits for health and agriculture outweigh costs of meeting Paris Agreement pledges

Ahead of the 2016 Paris Agreement on climate change, various climate and energy policy actions were proposed to target pledged 'nationally determined contributions' (NDCs). Now, researchers have quantified the global impact of implementing these actions on air quality, and determined that they have the potential to substantially reduce air pollution worldwide, with significant co-benefits for human health and agriculture — including the prevention of up to 99 000 premature deaths annually by 2030. These co-benefits could offset the global costs of climate policy; this study thus calls for an integrated policy perspective that aims to maximise the benefits of NDCs for climate and health.




quality

An egg that monitors air quality goes online around the world

The Air Quality Egg was named one of Kickstarter's best projects of 2012.



  • Gadgets & Electronics

quality

Think air quality doesn't matter? Look at Pittsburgh in the 1940s

Before clean air laws were passed in Pittsburgh, smoke left buildings in a nighttime shroud all day, yet air quality issues aren't really in the past.




quality

11 surprising facts about indoor air quality [Infographic]

Many American likely aren't aware that the air in their homes and offices may be cause for concern.




quality

Rare weather phenomenon triggers air-quality alerts in D.C.

A 'capped inversion' trapped air pollutants near the ground.



  • Climate & Weather

quality

How California's improving air quality is putting a dent in the region's dangerous fog

Falling levels of air pollution have resulted in a drop in California's dense tule fog.



  • Climate & Weather

quality

7 reasons to consider indoor air-quality testing

Indoor air pollutants are all around us, from radon and rodents to VOCs and NO2.



  • Protection & Safety

quality

Hardwood flooring that zaps unwanted odors, improves indoor air quality

Feeling wheezy after buying a new sofa? Struggling with cat pee smell? Not to worry, your air-purifying hardwood flooring should take care of it.




quality

15 houseplants for improving indoor air quality

NASA studied houseplants as a way to purify the air in space facilities, here are the plants that improve your indoor air quality best.




quality

Designer Vivienne Westwood opts for quality over quantity

"Buy less, choose well, make it last," says the iconic designer.



  • Natural Beauty & Fashion

quality

Robot fish to swim in schools and test water quality

Researchers are developing robotic fish to swim our waterways and patrol for pollutants.



  • Research & Innovations

quality

High-Quality Protein for Lean Muscle

High-Quality Protein for Lean Muscle




quality

No matter your age, it's the quality of friendships that matters, not quantity

New research about relationships backs up this age-old adage.




quality

Designing toilet paper for quality and sustainability

Aria toilet paper is 50% thicker & 3x stronger when wet than the leading recycled brand. It's also eco-friendly.




quality

We have introduced Maximum quality at maximum efficiency VT-S720.

Product Information




quality

6 Tips for Improving Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality

If you are concerned about the air quality in your home, the good news is that there are things that you can do about it to make it better. Below are a few helpful tips that you can use for helping your home’s indoor air quality to be the best possible.




quality

Certified Schools Provide the Highest Quality Truck Driver Training for New Students

If you've always wanted to learn to drive trucks, the highest quality training will ensure you're on the right road.




quality

Satellite radio quality and content

There are two important characteristics that recommend satellite radio as a service most people would like to have in their vehicles or homes: quality and content.




quality

Quality Internet Mortgage Leads

If you are a loan officer or mortgage broker on the market for internet mortgage leads. Sometimes it may be better to go after quality leads, as opposed to buying your leads in quantity.




quality

How To Use Ebay To Gather Tons Of Quality Traffic

Harness the power of a site that gets billions of visitors and make sure those visitors come to you!




quality

Koincable Gives Consumers a Quick Look on the Quality Control of HDMI Cables

Koincable shares what happens inside their factory during the quality control process to make sure that all products meet the required specifications.




quality

Quality Sleep Mattress Stores Partners with Toys For Tots

Make Donations for the Toys For Tots Charity at all Quality Sleep Mattress Stores




quality

Namita Gogumalla Celebrated for Dedication to the Field of Project Management, Quality Assurance, Vendor Management & Budget Planning and Management

Ms. Gogumalla channels years of expertise in management to her work with multiple industries; telecommunication, healthcare insurance, electric utility, finance & transportation




quality

VideoSolo DVD Copy New Released – A Simple and High-quality DVD Copy Software

VideoSolo DVD Copy is able to 1:1 copy DVD to a blank DVD disc or copy DVD to hard drive as ISO/folder. For someone who wants to make DVD backups, it may be worth looking at.




quality

Skytech Creations is Proud to be Part of Singapore's Strategy to Sustain Quality Healthcare Nationwide

National Steps Challenge Skytech Creations HPB steps tracker with WBD101 Mogo Technology