WHO Standard Reduces Deaths Seven Times More Than Newest EU Standard
The Irish EPA approved the Dublin Bay Incinerator in November 2007 using the proposed EU standard for air pollution (25 µg/m3 for PM2.5).
Compared to the EU standard of 25 µg/m3
- the percentage reduction in deaths from PM2.5 pollution could grow by more than seven times if PM2.5 levels were reduced to 10 µg/m3 .
Science Paper: http://jech.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/62/2/98
Recent studies have shown that PM2.5 in the air contribute to the premature death of 350,000 people across the European Union every year. [http://www.eubusiness.com/Environ/air-quality.01/]
Will you wheeze into an early grave?
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BBC News
Monday, 14 April 2008
Levels of pollution may have contributed to the deaths of thousands
"High mortality rates were observed in areas with elevated ambient pollution levels," said Professor George Knox, University of Birmingham, who wrote the report. "The strongest single effect was an increase in pneumonia deaths."
The team estimated that the annual number of excess deaths - or those which could be attributed to the pollution - could approach those of the 1952 London smog, which killed 4,000 people.
It was not possible to discriminate between the different chemical components.
The proposed Poolbeg pollution factory will undermine Irish jobs.
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An April 2008 IBEC report describes the National Climate Change Strategy as "outdated" and IBEC recommends that the Government undertake more research and prepare better data on future CO2 emissions.
Irish industry is ranked second in Europe when it comes to energy efficiency, and faces an EU-wide 21 per cent cut in CO2 emissions by 2020
The Irish Times also reports that IBEC says that the EU's proposed climate change targets for the Republic are unfair, unrealistic and could seriously undermine economic growth and job creation.
http://www.finfacts.ie/irishfinancenews/article_1013187.shtml
Last Updated: Apr 15, 2008 - 11:20: AM
It's becoming increasingly clear that high blood pressure, or hypertension, is at the root of much cognitive decline that has previously been attributed to aging.
The more that scientists scrutinize brain function, and especially memory, the more they conclude that we have the ability to keep our memory and spirit strong well into old age. But it depends on how well we nourish our brain throughout life.
...
"Generally, whatever problems impact cardiovascular health also affect cognitive functioning," says Merrill Elias, Ph.D., a professor of epidemiology at Boston University who has studied hypertension for 35 years.
Indeed, some researchers now believe that a substantial amount of age-related mental decline has little to do with age and much to do with blood pressure. Waldstein says there's a large body of research linking hypertension directly to brain function, but scientists don't yet know how it causes damage at the cellular level.
Commission welcomes final adoption of the air quality directive
http://ec.europa.eu/cyprus/news/air_pollution_en.htm#
14/04/2008
The European Commission ... setting binding standards for fine particles PM2.5.
The directive ... sets standards and target dates for reducing concentrations of fine particles, which together with coarser particles known as PM10 already subject to legislation, are among the most dangerous pollutants for human health.
Member States are required to reduce exposure to PM2.5 in urban areas by an average of 20% by 2020 based on 2010 levels. It obliges them to bring exposure levels below 20 micrograms/m3 by 2015 in these areas.
Throughout their territory Member States will need to respect the PM2.5 limit value set at 25 micrograms/m3. This value must be achieved by 2015 or, where possible, already by 2010.
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