The Economist (February 2, 2012)
China’s air is flooded with tiny particulate matter (PM2.5) that endangers health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) “guidelines suggest that PM2.5 levels above ten micrograms per cubic metre are unsafe.” Almost all of China is above this level. ”Indeed, much of the country’s population endures air so foul that it registers above 30 on the PM2.5 scale, with Shandong and Henan provinces topping 50.”
Tags: Air, China, Particulate matter PM2.5, Pollution
The Guardian (April 10)
CO2 emissions grab most the attention, but a study by the European Nitrogen Assessment indicates “nitrogen pollution costs every person in Europe €650 a year in damage to water, climate, health and wildlife.” Some of this damage comes from nitrogen used as fertilizer, but approximately “60% of the costs of nitrogen damage stem from fossil fuels burned for energy generation and transport.”
Tags: Fertilizer, Fossil fuels, Nitrogen, Pollution
