Toxic pollution in three London areas breaches EU limits Evening Standard, 22 December 2016
Research from the Environmental Research Group is referenced in an article about London pollution levels.
Putney High Street breached air pollution limits 1,000 times this year Evening Standard, 21 December
Professor Frank Kelly, ERG, says 'understanding air pollution hotspots is the first step in addressing the problem,' in an article about London air pollution.
Swedish start-up tackles air pollution head on CNN, 21 December 2016
A group of Swedish entrepreneurs have created a new air pollution mask which they say is both functional and fashionable. Commenting, Dr Ben Barrett, ERG, said: 'Generally speaking, there are two reasons why mask can or can't work: one is the size of the particles they are able to filter out and the other is the fit on the face. If it's leaking in from the side it's not going to work.'
Amid smoggy days in London, growing calls to clean up Europe's toxic air Washington Post, 20 December 2016
Article on pollution in London includes comments from Dr Gary Fuller, ERG. 'It's a complete policy failure. No one could defend this,' he said. Dr Fuller's comments were also reported by South China Morning Post.
Cold cases: The detectives on the trail of undiscovered killers BBC Online, 18 December 2016
Article looking at the use of forensics in cold cases. Dr David Ballard, Analytical & Environmental Sciences, said: ‘At the moment, that nuclear DNA that we normally find in the hair root is so degraded and so poor quality on a hair shaft that there is no way that we can normally get a result.' Dr Ballard's comments were also reported on Sky News.
Londoners 'take more cocaine on weekdays than other Europeans'Guardian, 14 December 2016
Research looking at the drugs consumed by major European cities has suggested that Londoners take more drugs during the weekdays than other cities. Dr Leon Barron, Forensics, who provided the London data said this was because of the time it took for users to excrete the metabolites of their drugs: ‘If you think about cocaine, the maximum concentration that you will excrete in your urine will take about two hours or so for that to come out.’ This was also reported by theTelegraph.
Pollutionwatch The Guardian 12 December 2016
The latest in Dr Gary Fuller's pollution watch series for the Guardian newspaper.
Londoners' immune systems 'weakened by capital's toxic air' Evening Standard, 08 December 2016
Hundreds of thousands of Londoners may be having their immune system slowly aggravated by toxic diesel fumes, Dr Ian Mudway, Environmental Research Group, has warned. He said: ‘In individuals with pre-existing lung disease the contaminants within the air we breathe can have immediate tangible effects, such as symptomatic ‘flare-ups’ during pollution episodes.’
Sadiq Khan just doubled funding to tackle London’s filthy air Wired, 07 December 2016
Sadiq Khan has announced that £875 million will be invested in cleaning up the capital’s fetid air through to 2021/22, doubling the £425 million previously committed. Nearly 9,500 premature deaths a year have been linked to air pollution in the city, according to a study carried out by researchers at King’s.
Paris pollution 'worst for 10 years' as smog causes travel chaos Sky News, 07 December 2016
Paris is said to be suffering its worst winter pollution for at least a decade, with the French capital clouded by thick smog and gripped by travel chaos. Experts at King's said air flowing into London was forecast to have travelled up through France and close to Paris. This was also reported by Evening Standard.
Is it time to ban sales of new diesel cars in London? Evening Standard, 02 December 2016
Article mentions that according to a recent report by the Institute for Public Policy Research, Greenpeace and King’s, diesel cars are emitting 40 per cent of London’s NO2 and particulate PM10 emissions.
Temperatures plunge to -10C as health officials warn sub-zero weather and toxic smog cloud could be deadly over the coldest weekend of the season Daily Mail, 02 December 2016
Article on the weather mentions that the Environmental Research Group (ERG) described air pollution as 'high' on 30 November due to an area of high pressure over the UK, resulting in calm, settled and cold conditions and poor dispersal of local pollutants. Huffington Post reported that Londoners were warned not to drive on Monday, as air pollution levels in the city soared. According to London Air, an air pollution monitoring site run ERG, the forecast for Monday and Tuesday included moderate air pollution. This was also reported by Independent.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan issues air quality alerts across capital BBC News Online, 01 December 2016
Air quality alerts have been issued across the capital by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan for the first time. King's air quality network describes air pollution in London as ‘high’ due to an area of high pressure over the UK resulting in calm, settled and cold conditions and poor dispersal of local pollutants. Dr David Green, ERG, said: ‘Letting people know about the problem is very important.’ This was also reported by Daily Mail, Telegraph, New York Times, Washington Postand ABC News.
Parents warned over taking babies outside in London as air pollution levels soar Evening Standard, 01 December 2016
Parents in London have been advised to ‘take care’ when taking their baby outside because of toxic air pollution levels. Yesterday, experts at King’s, using the EU limits, put air pollution at ‘high’ in Brent mid-morning and ‘moderate’ in Sutton, Westminster, the City, Lambeth, Croydon and Ealing. Professor Frank Kelly, ERG, said: ‘If we really want to do more to improve public health we would follow the WHO guidelines.’
Bus stops designed to fight killer pollution in London Evening Standard, 29 November 2016
Pollution-fighting bus stops have been designed to zap exhaust fume particles and pump out fresh air for pedestrians. Independent tests on the Airlabs system were conducted in Marylebone Road by the Environmental Research Group at King’s.
Healthcare clean up of urban environment means tackling pollution at sourceFinancial Times, 29 November 2016
Article discussing air pollution. Speaking about personal pollution monitors, Professor Frank Kelly, ERG, said: ‘Provision of accurate, personal air quality information to the individual is within our grasp in some major cities such as London, where there is knowledge of air pollution at a relatively fine scale.’
Inconvenient truth about your wood-burning stove: They can be bad for the environment AND your healthDaily Mail, 26 November 2016
Article on the environmental and health impacts of wood-burning stoves. Dr Gary Fuller, Environmental Research Group (ERG), said: ‘There is evidence that good wood-burning stoves produce less air pollution than open fires, because they burn wood more efficiently, but any home burning wood will be creating more air pollution than heating by gas, oil or electricity.’
Smoking a pack a day for a year causes 150 mutations in lung cells 03 November 2016
Scientists have measured the catastrophic genetic damage caused by smoking in different organs of the body and identified several different mechanisms by which tobacco smoking causes mutations in DNA. Professor David Phillips, Analytical & Environmental Sciences, said: ‘The results are a mixture of the expected and unexpected, and reveal a picture of direct and indirect effects.’ This was reported by Guardian and South China Morning Post.
The costly gridlock: How can we keep our cities moving? Guardian, 31 October 2016
Coverage of a roundtable discussion on urban transport hosted by the Guardian. Commenting as a participant on the roundtable, Professor Frank Kelly, Analytical & Environmental Sciences, said: ‘In London, we have a world class transport system, but it’s still not good enough.’ Professor Kelly was also quoted in a piece for New Scientist and wrote a piece for British Medical Journal.
‘Seeing’ pollution could save lives Telegraph, 05 October 2016
Technology that allows people to physically see pollution could help educate people about the environment and save lives, says Dr Martin Williams, Analytical & Environmental Sciences. He said: ‘If parents could see what it looks like pushing their child through a band of raw pollution, they’d take preventative action.’ This was also reported by Evening Standard.
#AskPollution Twitter Q&A 12-2pm this Thursday
Air pollution is a topic of ongoing interest, especially in the media, as many countries struggle to bring their emission levels within acceptable limits. For each new development there is seemingly a new challenge for air quality scientists and policy makers – how can we all contribute to improving the quality of the air we breathe?
Experts on air quality from the Environmental Research Group will be taking over the King’s College London Twitter feed @KingsCollegeLon on Thursday 6 October 2016 for two hours from midday to answer questions on air pollution and air quality science.
Sports doping Sky Sports News Good Morning Sports Fans, 15 September 2016
Professor David Cowan, Drug Control Centre, is interviewed about the hacking of British athletes’ medical records. He said: ‘I don’t think there’s a risk of someone modifying files on that database.’ (08:38)
Can London mayor’s car ban solve pollution crisis?
CNN, 12 September 2016
New Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has a plan to drastically change pollution levels in London. Professor Frank Kelly, ERG, said: ‘In years to come the health benefits will be considerable.’
The polluting effect of wear and tear in brakes and tyres Guardian, 11 September 2016
Article on wear-particles by Dr Gary Fuller, Environmental Research Group (ERG). ‘Increasing amounts of wear-particles have been found in new research from King's,’ he said.
Congratulations to three of our own in being named London’s most influential by the London Evening Standard.
Professor Frank Kelly who holds the chair in Environmental Health, Naveed Khan a current medical student and Dr Oliver Johnson medicine alumnus and Programme Director of the King's Sierra Leone Partnership (new title?) all named by the Evening Standard as the most influential people in London for 2016.
Read more
London air pollution policies are starting to have impact, but more work to be done
New research by scientists at King’s suggests that air pollution from London’s roads is improving overall but more work may be needed to tackle some sources of traffic pollution. Dr Gary Fuller, Environmental Research Group (ERG), said: ‘It is great that evidence shows that policies are starting to have an impact, but we need to expand on these to reduce the health burden from breathing polluted air.’ This was reported by BBC News,Evening Standard and Metro.
Is urban cycling worth the risk?Financial Times, 02 September 2016
An article on cycling in the city. London's air pollution, which is caused primarily by traffic and diesel fumes, is responsible for upto 9,500 premature deaths each year, according to a 2015 King’s study.
NOSK: Could this tiny nose filter make cyclists' commutes less polluted?Evening Standard, 01 September 2016
Article on the NOSK air filter for cyclists and pedestrians. It is mentioned that a King's and Healthy Air campaign study found drivers actually breathe the worst air.
Shirley Rodrigues and the Air Pollution EmergencyTimes of India, 24 August 2016
Article discussing pollution in London mentions research by King’s Environmental Research Group (ERG).
Forensic study of 'mutineer' pigtails
Ten pigtails of hair thought to be from seven mutineers of “Mutiny on the Bounty” fame and three of their female Polynesian companions, purportedly dating back to the pre-1800s will be analysed in a new collaboration between the Pitcairn Islands Study Centre, Pacific Union College and the forensic DNA group at King’s. Dr Denise Syndercombe-Court, Forensic Science, said: ‘The hairs, if from the mutineers, are over two hundred years old and we have no idea what environments they might have been exposed to in the intervening time.’ This was also reported by Times, Independent, BBC News Online, Guardian, Daily Mirror and BBC Radio 5 live (07:02).
How to win the fight against air pollution CNN, 19 August 2016
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that air pollution is responsible for up to seven million deaths each year. Article mentions comments from Andrew Grieve, Environmental Research Group (ERG), and a recent report by the same group.
Banning diesel cars is essential to tackling London’s pollution crisis City A.M., 17 August 2016
Article discussing restricting diesel cars to limit air pollution mentions research from King’s.
Clothes that highlight air pollution are coming to London Time Out, 01 August 2016
An article about Human Sensor, a high-tech fashion range designed by media artist and environmentalist Kasia Molga, in collaboration with academics from the Environmental Research Group (ERG) at King's. As the wearer breathes, sensors embedded in the material collect data on the quality of the air, then LED lights flash white or blue if the air is clean, and danger zone red with high levels of PM2.5, meaning that the wearer can avoid highly polluted areas.
Professor David Cowan, Drugs Control Centre, has commented for a number of outlets regarding anti-doping at the Olympics including: NBC, CNN (1) and CNN (2).
Breathtaking: Air-quality indices make pollution seem less bad than it is Economist, 28 July 2016
Article discusses acute and chronic exposure to air pollution. It mentions research by the Environmental Research Group (ERG) at King’s, which suggested air pollution could shorten lives in London by up to 16 months.
Inside Science BBC Radio 4, 28 July 2016
Professor David Cowan, Analytical & Environmental Sciences discusses anti-doping tests in advance of Rio 2016. Commenting on London 2012, when King’s ran the anti-doping labs, Professor Cowan said: ‘There was no such thing as an average day, other than being extremely busy all the time.’
The 'human sensor' making Manchester's air pollution visible The Guardian, 28 July 2016
Media artist Kasia Molga has joined up with researchers at King's to develop clothing that reacts to particles (PM2.5s) emitted mainly by diesel engines. Andrew Grieve, ERG, said: ‘The big challenge we have is that air pollution is mostly invisible. Art helps to makes it visible.’
Air pollution CNN, 23 July 2016
Professor Martin Williams, ERG, discusses the global threat of pollution. ‘There are well-known studies that show that pollution can travel on high level winds, that transfer pollution across the atmosphere from China through to the US and across to Europe,’ he said.
BBC Fake or Fortune - BBC 1 this Sunday at 8.00pm – Dr Denise Syndercombe Court, Forensic Sciences Group / DNA Analysis at King’s.
BBC Horizon – “Sports Doping – Is It Worth It?” – BBC 2 on Tuesday the 19th at 8:00pm – Professor David Cowan, Drug Control Centre
See the Clothing That Shows How Bad Smog Is in Your Neighborhood Yahoo! News, 20 July 2016
Article on the Human Sensor, a set of high-tech garments that light up and change colour depending on the air quality around the person wearing them. Media artist Kasia Molga spent the past year designing the Human Sensor in collaboration with researchers at King's Environmental Research Group.
The young men risking their health for the perfect physique: As this TV doctor finds out in a new documentary it’s not just super athletes using banned drugs... Daily Mail, 19 July 2016
An article on the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Professor David Cowan, pharmaceutical toxicology, who runs the UK Drug Control Centre laboratory said: ‘People are making injectable substances in garages. This means someone may be injecting a load of bacteria that can cause nasty infections or even kill’. Professor Cowan was featured in a BBC Horizonsdocumentary on doping.
Call for Sadiq Khan to ban all diesel cars from Londons roads Evening Standard, 18 July 2016
All diesel cars might have to be banned from London's roads to meet legal air quality obligations, a report found today. New modelling carried out by air quality experts at King's found that they would have to be phased out over the next decade if London had any chance of achieving safe and legal levels of air pollution.
Mayor Sadiq Khan must act on his pledge to clean up London’s filthy airEvening Standard, 06 July 2016
Article discussing levels of NO2 in London mentions research by academics at King’s. Research from the ERG is also mentioned in the Financial Times and Bloomberg.
The soup kitchen putting London's air quality on the menu, Guardian, 01 July 2016
A pop-up kitchen is serving free soup, which will change in colour daily according to air pollution leveIs. Information boards with data and research from air quality experts at the Environment Research Group (ERG) will also be there.
Are We Breathing in Microplastics? Pollution Solution, Jun 29 2016
An environmental health expert has raised the possibility that microplastics could be infiltrating our airwaves and being inhaled by humans and animals in microscopic amounts. Professor Frank Kelly of King’s College London posited the theory at a meeting of the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) last month, calling for further research to be conducted into the potentially negative effects of inhaling the plastics. - See more at: http://www.pollutionsolutions-online.
How wearable technology could change the way we think about air pollution Washington Post, 28 June 2016
A new project called the ‘Human Sensor’ has led to the production of a piece of high-tech clothing that changes colour to reflect the amount of pollution in the surrounding air. Andrew Grieve, Environmental Research Group, has been working on the project.
MPs to meet to discuss improving air quality in London BBC News, 28 June 2016 King's College London figures relating to the number of premature deaths linked to air pollution are mentioned in BBC London Live coverage reporting that MPs were due to meet to discuss the issue.
'Diesels more polluting below 18°C'BBC News, 22 June 2016
Pollution from many popular diesel cars is much worse when it is colder than 18C outside, new research suggests. Professor Frank Kelly, ERG, commented on the need for tighter rules, especially with diesel vehicles, to protect people from air pollution. The story also ran on BBC Radio 4 Today. Dr Ben Barratt, ERG, joined a Facebook live discussion following the show to answer people’s questions about air pollution.
'Pollution signs should be put up in London's blackspots', says Sadiq Khan Evening Standard, 21 June 2016
Sadiq Khan today proposed public signs at toxic air blackspots to alert Londoners to the health risks. The Mayor said data from King's showed the ‘Saharan Dust’ episode in April 2014 was one of 49 times when air pollution climbed to ‘moderate’ or higher that year.
Clothing changes colour to show pollution Evening Standard, 20 June 016
Artist Kasia Molga has designed hi-tech clothing which changes colour to reveal air pollution around wearers. Ms Molga was advised by Professor Frank Kelly, Environmental Research Group (ERG).
Air pollution linked to increased mental illness in children Guardian 13 June 2016
A new study has linked air pollution to increased mental illness in children, even at low levels of pollution. Professor Frank Kelly, Environmental Research Group, commented on the importance of this research.
Toxic diesel fumes 'cause liver spots on the face' Evening Standard 13 June 2016
An article on the link between high levels of traffic pollution and premature ageing of the skin mentions that many monitoring sites in central London managed by the London Air Quality Network at King's have nitrogen dioxide levels above the recommended safe limit of 40 ug/m3.
Enough to make you chokeDaily Mail, 09 June 2016
A ‘furious driver’ comments on diesel taxes and cites an estimate by Professor Frank Kelly, ERG, that states diesel engines could be responsible for a quarter of the 29,000 premature deaths in Britain attributed to air pollution. Professor Kelly also comment on this story on the Today programme(01.16.00).
How fracking can contribute to climate change Guardian, 29 May 2016
Dr Gary Fuller, Environmental Research Group (ERG), has written a piece on how leakage of natural gas from drilling and pipework means that more methane is entering the atmosphere. ‘However natural gas is mostly methane, which has strong global warming impacts in its own right. Natural gas therefore only provides climate benefits over coal if the leakage is no more than 2-3 per cent,’ he said.
Barbecues make popular London park 'more polluted than city streets' Telegraph, 28 May 2016
Residents near Highbury Fields in Islington have called on a ban on barbecuing in public parks because of the impact it may have on air pollution. The residents completed the study using equipment from King’s. This was also reported by Times and Guardian.
23 athletes competing at Rio Olympics fail London 2012 drugs retestTelegraph, 27 May 2016
Reports suggest that up to 60 athletes who took part in the London 2012 Olympics may have been on drugs. The article mentions Professor David Cowan, Forensic Science & Drug Monitoring, who said at the time of the 2012 Olympics that the figures of cheating athletes would be fewer than 50.
Chinese students studying in UK honouredChina Daily, 20 May 2016
The Chinese government has awarded some Chinese students studying in the UK, at a ceremony for the 2015 National Award for Outstanding Self-financed Chinese Students. Professor David Cowan, Law, whose student Yaoyao Wang won an award, said: ‘We very much value the quality of Chinese students coming to UK.’
Environmental Research Group (ERG)
Dr Ben Barratt, ERG, discussed on ITV an air pollution report that London Mayor Sadiq Khan has accused Boris Johnson of hiding. ‘Back in 2010 nitrogen dioxide levels were at their peak and certainly air pollution across the whole London Borough was well above legal standards,’ he said. Andrew Grieve, ERG, also discussed this topic on BBC Radio 4 where he used an air pollution monitor to test air pollution on a busy road in London. ‘On the day people were asking drivers to switch their cars off, peaks we saw in the data were lower and there were less levels of air pollution,’ he said. Professor Frank Kelly, ERG, discussed in the London Evening Standard Sadiq Khan’s new plans to introduce a charge for vehicles which emit the most toxic fumes. ‘The new Mayor, Sadiq Khan’s, announcement…is very welcome news,’ he said. A study by the ERG group has also been mentioned in the Guardian, which showed that a third of primary and secondary schools in London are situated in areas where nitrogen dioxide levels are above the legal limits.
Environmental Research Group
Academics from the Environmental Research Group (ERG) have commented widely in the media this week. Dr Gary Fuller, discussed diesel car emissions for the Guardian. ‘Compared with stricter standards applied to petrol cars, the average diesel sold between 2009 and 2015 emitted 19 times more nitrogen oxides,’ he said. Dr Fuller also commented for the Guardian in another article about particulate matter (PM). ‘A lot of PM2.5s has a long residence time in the air, a week or more, therefore it’s not just what you generate locally, it’s all the other cities around you,’ he said. This was also reported by Times. Professor Frank Kelly, spoke to the Independent about harmful microplastics in the environment. ‘There’s a real possibility that some of those microparticles will be entrained into the air and they will be carried around and we will end up breathing them,’ he said. Professor Kelly also commented in Express on whether eco-cars produce as much air pollution as diesel cars, which was also reported by Guardian and London Evening Standard. An article in the Guardian mentions a study carried out by a number of universities, including academics from ERG, which looked at the impact of a type of paint on the reduction of nitrogen dioxide. London Mayor Sadiq Khan cited research by the ERG, which was reported by Bloomberg.
Air pollution warnings issued as UK temperatures set to soar Guardian, 06 May 2016
Air pollution warning have been issued with temperatures forecast to climb towards 27C (80F) in south-east England and Midlands this weekend. Dr Gary Fuller, Environmental Research Group, said: ‘As spring is moving towards summer the sun is getting stronger, and able to drive chemical reactions between pollutants that cause ozone to be formed, along with the particles
Air pollution has been lost in the murk of the London mayoral campaign Guardian, 03 May 2016
Research by King’s is mentioned in this article that shows the health impacts of air pollution, including diseases such as asthma and bronchitis.
Revealed: The 20 blackspots for toxic air in London
Evening Standard, 29 April 2016
Campaign group ClientEarth has published a list of 20 pollution blackspots where air pollution exceeds EU limits. Data captured by King’s monitoring equipment found that air pollution levels on Putney High Street were beyond EU regulations. This was also reported by Guardian.
Environment discussion BBC Radio 4, 27 April 2016
Dr Heather Walton, Environmental Research Group, discusses measures which can be taken to reduce air pollution and the risks of air pollution. ‘There are significant health impacts and figures show that 29,000 deaths were as a result of air pollution. Recently there has been research showing that the level of nitrogen dioxide has increased and this may have an impact on the number of deaths caused by air pollution,’ she said.
MPs: UK air pollution is a 'public health emergency' Guardian, 27 April 2016
A new scrappage scheme has been introduced for diesel vehicles which will allow only the cleanest buses to drive on key polluted roads. This scheme is also being supported by the Environmental Research Group at King’s.
Will real-world emissions tests clean up diesel cars? Guardian, 22 April 2016
Professor Frank Kelly, Environmental Research Group, comments on whether new world emissions tests will help reduce diesel emissions. ‘These standards came in in 2010 [but were enforced by laboratory tests]. Finally when it’s been recognised by governments and the EU, the industry has been given another four and a half years before it really needs to comply. In my mind, that’s too long,’ he said.
Will real-world emissions tests clean up diesel cars?Guardian, 22 April 2016
Professor Frank Kelly, Environmental Research Group, comments on whether new world emissions tests will help reduce diesel emissions. ‘These standards came in in 2010 [but were enforced by laboratory tests]. Finally when it’s been recognised by governments and the EU, the industry has been given another four and a half years before it really needs to comply. In my mind, that’s too long,’ he said.
Anti-pollution groups cover London statues with masks Deccan Chronicle, 18 April 2016
Greenpeace campaigners put pollution face masks on the faces of famous statues in London to draw attention to the problem of air pollution. The article mentions recent research from King’s, which found nearly 10,000 Londoners die prematurely every year as a result of air pollution. Also reported in NDTV and AFP.
The rites and wrongs of spring Guardian, 10 April 2016
Dr Gary Fuller, Environmental Research Group, discusses why spring is the most polluted time of the year in the UK. ‘Traffic in our cities is much the same each week, but in the countryside, spring is very different to autumn. Crops are planted, fields are fertilised, farm animals are let out of their barns and their manure, stored over the winter, is spread on the land,’ he said.
Welsh rugby player Joseph Phelps banned for four years for steroid use BBC News, 05 April 2016
Welsh Rugby player Joseph Phelps has been banned from playing rugby after testing positive for steroids. A report by Professor David Cowan, Analytical & Environmental Sciences, used at the tribunal suggests that ‘the human body does not naturally produce nandrolone in measurable quantities and that nandrolone is a drug administered via deep intra-muscular injection.
Diesel fumes poison babies in the womb Sunday Times, 27 March 2016
Professor Frank Kelly, Environmental Research Group, comments on research which claims that diesel fumes damage the brains of inner-city children. ‘The ever-accumulating evidence that so many components of air pollution contribute to a diverse set of diseases confirms the urgent need to manage air quality,’ he said.
‘Londoners would live a month longer with cleaner air’ Evening Standard, 23 March 2016
A study by King’s and the think tank Policy Exchange has called for more to be done in the way of air ‘pollution-busting measures’. These include ‘Clean Bus Corridors’ for Oxford Street, Brixton Road and Knightsbridge.
Pigeon patrol takes flight to tackle London's air pollution crisis Guardian, 14 March 2016
Dr Gary Fuller, Environmental Research Group (ERG), comments on recent news that pigeons are being strapped with pollution sensors to track air pollution. ‘It’s great that unemployed pigeons from Trafalgar Square are being put to work. Around 15 years ago tests were done on around 150 stray dogs in Mexico City, showing the ways in which air pollution was affecting lungs and heart health,’ he said. This was also reported by New Scientist.
London mayoral election: Sian Berry vows to target air pollutionBBC News, 14 March 2016
Green Party mayoral candidate Sian Berry plans to tackle air pollution if she wins the election. This comes after research by King’s which showed that nearly 10,000 people died in 2010 as a result of air pollution.
‘Lightning drug’ strikes at the heart of world sportSunday Times, 13 March 2016
Professor David Cowan, Head of Department of Forensic Science & Drug Monitoring, comments on the ban of the heart drug meldonium in sports. ‘Thyroid is an essential hormone and I’m concerned about people going to physicians unconnected to sport, claiming they feel tired and have thyroid insufficiency and getting medication to enhance performance,’ he said.
May we have fresh air to breathe – please Guardian, 06 March 2016
Dr Gary Fuller, Environmental Research Group (ERG), has written a piece on air pollution and the effect it has on a city and its people. ‘Having allowed for smoking and other factors, people lived shorter lives in the most polluted cities, showing, for the first time, that the particle pollution that we experience every day affects our health,’ he said.
Diesel pollution warning BBC Radio 4, 06 March 2016
Dr Benjamin Barratt, ERG, explains the new devices which can measure how much diesel pollution a person is exposed to. ‘A pump takes in air from the side of the tube through a white filter, a laser then measures the rate at which carbon particles in the air turn the filter black,’ he said.
How much diesel pollution am I breathing in?
BBC News, 4 March 2016
Professor Frank Kelly, Environmental Research Group, discusses how much air pollution people are exposed to. ‘For all sources of air pollution the value which we believe is associated with early mortality is the equivalent of 29,000 deaths per year in the UK. And diesel tends to produce more pollutants than, say, petrol would. So it is quite a sizeable public health challenge,’ he said.
Living in cities BBC World Health Check, February 2016
Professor Frank Kelly, Analytical & Environmental Sciences, discussed the impact that pollution has on people who live in cities. ‘We’re getting that repeated exposure to pollution on a daily basis. There are two pollutants that we really worry about. The first is tiny particles…the second is a gas called nitrogen dioxide,’ he said.
Air pollution: How strong is the link to cancer? Independent, 25 February 2016
Discussions about the role that air pollution plays in causing cancer have increased over the last few years. Professor David Phillips, Analytical & Environmental Sciences, said: ‘As other health hazards like smoking come under control, urban air pollution becomes more of a problem.’
Why walking by a main road is as bad for you as smoking. And beware of your air freshener, too Daily Mail, 23 February 2016
Professor Frank Kelly, Environmental Research Group, discusses increasing levels of air pollution and how this can affect health. ‘Chemical toxins dissolve within the lungs or pass through the lungs into the blood. These chemicals interact with blood vessel walls and cause damage that can lead to heart attacks,’ he said. This was also reported by Guardian.
UK's first pollution cameras trialled in Birmingham and London BBC News, 15 February 2016
Britain’s first pollution cameras are being trialled on roads in Birmingham and London as part of a trial by the Universities of Birmingham, Leeds and King's, and funded by the Department for Transport. This was also reported by London Evening Standard, BBC News, ITV, LBC Radio and BBC Radio London.
Drivers 'exposed to highest levels of pollution' BBC News, 15 February 2016
The article focuses on air pollution and how people can decrease the amount of toxic air to which they are exposed. Dr Ben Barratt, Environmental Research Group, said: ‘There is a growing awareness of the dangers of air pollution. As well as respiratory problems, it can have effects on mental health, cardiovascular conditions and child development. So the urgency behind this issue is becoming much greater.’
Pollution cameras to snap toxic carsSunday Times, 07 February 2016
A new device which measures the toxins emitted by cars to see if they breach legal limits will be introduced in the UK. The cameras will be placed near Oxford Circus and Blackheath. The trials will be sponsored by King’s, Department of Transport, Leeds and Birmingham University.
Pollutionwatch:The deadly toll of city smog
The Guardian,7 February 2016
The latest inDr Gary Fuller's pollution watch series for the Guardian newspaper
Invisible menace in cities threatens thousands of lives say campaignersGuardian, 05 February 2016
The article focuses on air pollution in London and the health risks it poses to Londoners. Professor Ben Barratt, Environmental Research Group (ERG), said: ‘The public health message is that you can’t hide from air pollution inside a car. We advise the public to leave the car at home whenever possible. This exposes you and your family to lower levels of air pollution, you’re not contributing to the problem, and you’re also getting the benefits of exercise.’ This was also reported by LBC Radio and Huffington Post.
Zac Goldsmith and Sadiq Khan unite to commit to pedestrianisation of Oxford Street
London Evening Standard, 4 February 2016
London 2016 Mayoral candidates Sadiq Khan and Zac Goldsmith have committed to the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street in order to reduce pollution and congestion. A study by Dr David Carslaw, Analytical & Environmental Sciences, is mentioned, which looked at levels of pollution on Oxford Street.
Pollution in Spain
El Mundo, 24 January 2016
Dr Ben Barratt and Professor Frank Kelly, Environmental Research Group, discussed the problem of pollution in European cities. ‘Pollution is a relatively new concern of public health and the true extent of the problem has come to light in the last ten years,’ they said.
Setback for Heathrow as nearby pollution hits an eight-year high
London Evening Standard, 22 January 2016
Plans to build a third runway at Heathrow have been delayed following research by King’s, which showed that air pollution close to the airport has hit an eight year high. A monitoring station at Keats Way, Hillingdon, recorded nitrogen dioxide 228mg per cubic metre – the highest since the end of 2007.
Killer pollution in City hits top 'black' alert level
New figures show that air pollution in London has climbed to dangerous levels only measured three times in the last two years. Professor Frank Kelly, Environmental Research Group (ERG), comments: ‘The lack of any “substantial” decrease in deaths attributable to PM2.5 highlighted that considerable more ambition will be needed by the incoming mayor to address this pressing public health issue.’ Dr Ian Mudway, ERG, also notes the impact it will have on children’s health, particularly students in Tower Hamlets and Hackney. This was reported by London Evening Standard, Independent , Guardian, BBC Radio 2 and London Evening Standard.
London's mayor seems to struggle with science. Time for a chief scientific adviser
Guardian, 11 January 2016
The article focuses on the current air pollution problem in London and the health risks it poses for the London population. It also mentions the research by King’s which shows that more than 9,000 in London die from toxic air pollution each year. This was also reported by Express.
Dust from distant lands
Guardian, 10 January 2016
Dr Gary Fuller, Environmental Research Group has written an article about how the dust from the Sahara Desert is blown across the Atlantic, affecting countries such as Italy, Spain and Portugal. The UK's air pollution monitoring networks can detect Saharan dust, but it is difficult to distinguish it from other pollution sources,’ he said.
London takes just one week to breach annual air pollution limits
The Guardian, 8 January 2016
According to reports, London has already breached annual pollution limits for nitrogen dioxide. Andrew Grieve, Environmental Research Group, said: ‘It’s just that central London, and London as a whole, have a really huge problem with NO2. Breaching so early in the year really just illustrates how big a problem it is.’ Also reported by Bloomberg Business.