CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh

Pollution levels

(13 posts)

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  1. MeepMeep
    Member

    I feel like that traffic pollution seems to have got quite bad lately. If not worse, more noticeable - like being sat right behind an old bus exhaust often. I've been getting off my bike with a horrible metallic taste in my mouth and a thick head.

    The melodramatic part of me (arguably a large part) is worried what damage it's doing to me.

    I've noticed it sporadically since the warmer weather came in and suspect the heat has exacerbated pollution that's always there but I felt that this morning was the worst it has been for a while.

    I know there's far more knowledgable people on here when it comes to environmental issues, so my question to you is "am I making it up?" - is pollution in Edinburgh West getting worse or should I start my own drama production to sponsor my commutes?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  2. i
    Member

    I hear that the Scottish EPA are interested in individuals who would like to wear a gps air pollution monitor. I'm not sure who to ask directly but I'm going to look into it in a few months time.

    This might also be useful to check too

    Posted 11 years ago #

  3. i
    Member

    As for your personal experience. The weather definitely makes a difference, no wind and the low air trapped below the atmospheric boundary layer.

    I hate the bus fumes in Glasgow, the they're poorly maintained compared to Edinburgh. I think there's the real effect of fumes plus an added nocebo effect.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  4. crowriver
    Member

    Aye, the unusual lack of wind must be having an effect on pollution at street level. The very welcome sunshine recently may be exacerbating the effects too.

    I daresay this morning's rain may have literally dampened things down a bit.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  5. kaputnik
    Moderator

    I can vouch for the gridlocked centre of Edinburgh between London Road, Leith Street, Princes Street and Clerk Street being of a foul, petrochemical sort of an atmosphere in this morning's still, wet environment. Horrible.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  6. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Hmmm....speaking as a (very) former environmental chemist it's odd that there doesn't seem to be any easily accessible real-time information on Edinburgh air quality. Nitrogen oxides and their photochemical offspring are the usual cuplrits for the choking, thumping head and foul mouth-taste we know so well. They are very easy to detect.

    For what it's worth, having just come back through the Paris basin and the Thames valley, both are beset by a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours, undoubtedly of automobile origin. Edinburgh is very lucky to be open to the sea on one side - I suspect residence times are very low compared to Glasgow.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  7. acsimpson
    Member

    @i, Glasgow buses may be worse than the average TfE bus but I wouldn't say the same for all buses in Edinburgh. I've often found myself holding my breath as a bus in front pulls away from a stop in a large cloud of dark matter.

    I'm not sure if holding your breath to let it clear offers any real benefit or if you just breath more of the residue later.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  8. neddie
    Member

    I thought Edinburgh was about to be fined/prosecuted by the EU for regularly being in breach of pollution levels?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  9. i
    Member

    @acsimpson, true I've experienced some nasty outliers. I think I'm still traumatised by a Glaswegian bus that smoked like this Parisian bus, except the clouds were an insidious black.

    I think letting the cloud disperse before breathing makes a huge difference. Depends if you have favourable wind.

    @edd1e_h I think its London and Glasgow that is getting legal attention by the EU.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  10. Snowy
    Member

    Depends if you have favourable wind.

    ...which depends what the work canteen were serving at lunchtime...

    (sorry for lowering tone)

    Posted 11 years ago #

  11. i
    Member

    [lowtone] good point, rocket propulsion helps... [\lowtone]

    Posted 11 years ago #

  12. acsimpson
    Member

    Slope also helps. If you can freewheel slowly rather than push uphill I don't feel I breathe as much in.

    I don't know if there's any correlation between the big clouds of black stuff and the invisible particles which are the true nasties.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  13. i
    Member

    Yep, there's quite a few different types of air pollution. The visible smoke would usually come under the category of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1. Big enough for light to scatter off it.

    And these particles can bypass our snot and hair defences and take up residence à la smokers lungs. Any pollution smaller than 100nm can bypass the alveoli and have a party in the bloodstream.

    I suppose the invisible pollution is insidious since you don't know when to hold your breath.

    Posted 11 years ago #

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