New strategy to cut air pollution

For those holidaymakers concerned about air quality when travelling overseas, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) has put together a guide comparing the air pollution levels in a few of the world’s top holiday destinations.

Successfully addressing air pollution requires a partnership approach, involving the Scottish Government, its agencies, local authorities, business and industry, professional institutions, non-governmental organisations, and the general public.

“[On days with poorer air quality] repertory irritants may be impactful to the health of individuals who are prone to having asthma … particularly children”, Jane Clougherty, University of Pittsburgh associate professor of environmental health.

Fang Li, deputy head of the bureau, said the city will intensify its monitoring of air quality and enhance controls on activities such as burning leaves, barbecues, and fireworks during the last two months of the year.

“We must also highlight the opportunities to generate efficiencies and cost savings by linking air quality to other areas, such as climate change adaptation and mitigation, transport and planning”. The Air Quality Index is based on air pollutants that have adverse effects on human health and the environment therefore travellers should plan carefully if they want to avoid cities with a high level of AQI. The Scottish Government has not consulted the public on the detail of its Cleaner Air for Scotland Strategy since the legal ruling and is therefore failing to abide by the Supreme Court decision. Air pollution rarely reaches that level.

Green MSP Alison Johnstone said: “Communities affected by unsafe levels of pollution have been waiting too long for practical action and serious investment”. With a warning of severe, an AQI of 443 “affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases”, according to the Index.