Latest news with #airPollution
South China Morning Post
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
Clean air on hold? India's capital slams brakes on vehicle ban plan amid public backlash
India 's capital has put the brakes on a contentious vehicle scrappage policy aimed at curbing deadly air pollution after fierce resistance from residents, highlighting the city's struggle to balance environmental urgency with economic realities and the need to find alternative solutions. The rule, which took effect on July 1 in New Delhi but is now suspended, barred refuelling and permitted impounding of private petrol cars older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10. Officials had hoped it would ease the capital's toxic winter smog, which consistently pushes air quality into hazardous territory. But the plan drew fierce opposition, with critics warning it would disrupt daily life for thousands without adequate transport alternatives. A notice announcing the ban on refuelling petrol cars older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years, is displayed at a gas station in New Delhi on July 1. Photo: AFP Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Thursday the government was planning to adopt a new system for managing old vehicles that would address pollution concerns without placing an undue burden on the public.
Medscape
27-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Pollution, Weather Linked to Atopic Dermatitis
TOPLINE: In a meta-analysis of 42 studies, exposure to air pollutants and high temperatures was associated with higher risk for clinic visits and worsened symptoms in adults with atopic dermatitis. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review of 42 studies from 14 countries between 1985 and 2024. They included cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies that examined associations between environmental exposures and atopic dermatitis outcomes in adults. Researchers assessed exposure to ambient air pollutants: Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), particulate matter with a diameter of 10 µm or less (PM 10 ), PM with a diameter of 2.5 µm or less (PM 2.5 ), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), ozone (O 3 ), temperature, precipitation, sunlight or solar radiation, humidity, secondhand smoke, seasonal variations, and pollution from traffic or industrial sources. TAKEAWAY: Outpatient clinic visits for atopic dermatitis increased with every 10-µg/m 3 increase in PM 10 (risk ratio [RR], 1.008; 95% CI, 1.003-1.012; high certainty evidence) and SO 2 (RR, 1.029; 95% CI, 1.020-1.039; high certainty evidence). increase in PM (risk ratio [RR], 1.008; 95% CI, 1.003-1.012; high certainty evidence) and SO (RR, 1.029; 95% CI, 1.020-1.039; high certainty evidence). High temperatures were also associated with moderate (OR, 2.39; 95%CI, 1.40-4.09) and severe atopic dermatitis (OR, 3.91; 95% CI, 2.20-6.96). Higher precipitation and humidity levels demonstrated probable associations with increased atopic dermatitis severity. Secondhand smoking exposure and traffic-related pollution showed probable associations with increased atopic dermatitis prevalence. IN PRACTICE: 'Increased air pollution and other environmental factors were associated with increased prevalence and activity of atopic dermatitis,' the authors wrote. These findings, they added, 'have direct public health implications, adding to the impetus to decrease pollution and mitigate climate change worldwide.' SOURCE: The study was led by Megan Park, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and was published online on June 25 in JAMA Dermatology. LIMITATIONS: Limitations included heterogeneity in air pollutant measurement and reporting across regions. Only moderate-to-severe disease was likely captured. Socioeconomic data was not available and inconsistent lag reporting restricted analysis of short-term and long-term effects. DISCLOSURES: The authors did not disclose any funding source. One author reported receiving consulting fees and research grants from the British Journal of Dermatology, American Academy of Dermatology, Canadian Dermatology Today, National Eczema Association, Eczema Society of Canada, Canadian Dermatology Foundation, Canadian Institutes for Health Research, National Institutes of Health, and Physicians Services Incorporated Foundation. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
TechCrunch
18-06-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
xAI is facing a lawsuit for operating over 400 MW of gas turbines without permits
The Colossus data center operated by xAI outside of Memphis is facing a lawsuit for operating a fleet of natural gas turbines without permits. 'Over the past year, xAI has installed and operated at least 35 combustion turbines and other sources of air pollution at the Colossus site without ever obtaining the necessary preconstruction or operating air permits,' the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) wrote in a letter to xAI. The legal group submitted the letter on behalf of the NAACP. It serves as a notice for intent to sue xAI for violations of the Clean Air Act. The law requires organizations to submit such a letter 60 days in advance of filing a lawsuit. The gas turbines have the potential to emit more than 2,000 tons of NO x per year, a group of chemicals that contribute to smog. Memphis already 'had some of the worst air quality in the region,' SELC notes. 'In 2024, Memphis was deemed an asthma capital of the nation by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America due to high rates of emergency room visits and deaths from asthma.' SELC alleges that xAI failed to obtain permits required by both the federal and local regulators before installing the generators. It also alleges that the company wasn't operating them with proper air pollution controls. At one point, xAI had enough turbines to generate 421 megawatts of electricity. Last summer, the Shelby County Health Department, which oversees local air pollution compliance, 'told reporters that xAI's turbines were exempt from permitting, although SCHD still had not disclosed publicly what xAI was operating on its site nor the legal basis for any such exemption,' SELC said. Techcrunch event Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW To determine what was happening at the Colossus site, SELC paid an aerial photographer to capture images of the facility in March. The photos revealed that xAI had installed 35 turbines around the perimeter of the data center at the time. Thermal images taken about a month later showed that at least 33 of them were operational, SELC said. After those images were taken, the Greater Memphis Chamber, a local economic development agency, said that xAI had removed some of the turbines. 'The temporary natural gas turbines that were being used to power the Phase I GPUs prior to grid connection are now being demobilized and will be removed from the site over the next two months,' the Memphis Chamber said. 'About half of the operating turbines will remain' until a second substation complete's the data centers connection to the grid, the organization added, and that once the substation was complete, the turbines would serve as backups. But a flight on June 15 showed that at least 26 turbines remained, including three new ones that had been installed since the April flight. The total generating capacity was around 407 megawatts, just 14 megawatts shy of the previous amount. 'With very few exceptions — none of which apply here — new sources of criteria and other air pollutants in Tennessee must obtain preconstruction approval in the form of an air permit as well as a permit to operate and emit pollutants,' SELC said.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Relief' at rejection of incinerator plan
Campaigners have said they are "relieved" a proposal to build an incinerator that would have burned up to 260,000 tonnes of waste a year has been rejected by councillors. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council's planning committee voted to turn down the application from MVV Environmental Ltd to construct the energy-from-waste facility at Canford Resource Park near Bournemouth. It would have burned non-recyclable and non-hazardous domestic, commercial and industrial waste to generate electricity. Opponents had raised concerns about levels of air pollution and a "six-mile toxic plume" from the plant. MVV Environmental's proposals said the plant would have provided 28.5MW of electricity to businesses at Churchill Magna Business Park as well as to Arena Way and Magna Road. The council said 469 objections had been received during the planning process. They included objections to building on green belt land, issues over transporting waste into the site and removing residue, as well as air pollution and its impact on nearby Canford Heath. Council planners had recommended the scheme be approved but it was rejected by the committee by six votes to three. Following the meeting, Frank Ahern from local campaign group MagWatch said he was "cock-a-hoop" at the decision. "People will be absolutely thrilled and relieved. A lot of young mothers were distraught at the thought of this going through and the effect it would have on their children. "The answer is not incinerating - it's recycling more effectively," he added. Joanna Bury of Wimborne Extinction Rebellion said: "I am so relieved. The community was so frightened of this happening. "We are so grateful to all the councillors who stood up for the people of Dorset, for all the worried families and for nature." Resident Natalie Clarke who lives less than a mile from the proposed plant had earlier said the issue was "emotional" "My concern is what affect will this have on my family, especially our young children, breathing in these toxic fumes 24-7. The long-term effects could be devastating". Speaking during the meeting, Paul Carey of MVV Environmental insisted the company would be a "good neighbour". "Please be assured of our intentions to work responsibly in our community and environment," he told councillors. In a statement following the decision, the company said: ""We will need to wait for the publication of the official reasons for refusal, and to see if the Secretary of State intends to intervene, before deciding whether to appeal." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Incinerator proposal rejected by council Proposed incinerator is granted environmental permit Views wanted on waste incinerator plans BCP Council
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Relief' at rejection of incinerator plan
Campaigners have said they are "relieved" a proposal to build an incinerator that would have burned up to 260,000 tonnes of waste a year has been rejected by councillors. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council's planning committee voted to turn down the application from MVV Environmental Ltd to construct the energy-from-waste facility at Canford Resource Park near Bournemouth. It would have burned non-recyclable and non-hazardous domestic, commercial and industrial waste to generate electricity. Opponents had raised concerns about levels of air pollution and a "six-mile toxic plume" from the plant. MVV Environmental's proposals said the plant would have provided 28.5MW of electricity to businesses at Churchill Magna Business Park as well as to Arena Way and Magna Road. The council said 469 objections had been received during the planning process. They included objections to building on green belt land, issues over transporting waste into the site and removing residue, as well as air pollution and its impact on nearby Canford Heath. Council planners had recommended the scheme be approved but it was rejected by the committee by six votes to three. Following the meeting, Frank Ahern from local campaign group MagWatch said he was "cock-a-hoop" at the decision. "People will be absolutely thrilled and relieved. A lot of young mothers were distraught at the thought of this going through and the effect it would have on their children. "The answer is not incinerating - it's recycling more effectively," he added. Joanna Bury of Wimborne Extinction Rebellion said: "I am so relieved. The community was so frightened of this happening. "We are so grateful to all the councillors who stood up for the people of Dorset, for all the worried families and for nature." Resident Natalie Clarke who lives less than a mile from the proposed plant had earlier said the issue was "emotional" "My concern is what affect will this have on my family, especially our young children, breathing in these toxic fumes 24-7. The long-term effects could be devastating". Speaking during the meeting, Paul Carey of MVV Environmental insisted the company would be a "good neighbour". "Please be assured of our intentions to work responsibly in our community and environment," he told councillors. In a statement following the decision, the company said: ""We will need to wait for the publication of the official reasons for refusal, and to see if the Secretary of State intends to intervene, before deciding whether to appeal." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Incinerator proposal rejected by council Proposed incinerator is granted environmental permit Views wanted on waste incinerator plans BCP Council
