Thank you Felicity keep all this news coming

Study about changes in air pollution due to COVID lockdown:

https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/traffic-pollution-drops-in-lockdown--but-other-risks-to-air-quality-increase-reveal-manchester-researchers/

Traffic pollution for most parts of the UK is plummeting thanks to the COVID-19 lockdown but more urban ozone – a dangerous air pollutant which can cause airway inflammation in humans - is probably being generated, say experts from The University of Manchester.

The analysis was led by Hugh Coe, Professor of Atmospheric Composition, plus air pollution expert Dr James Allan from Manchester’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Their findings have been submitted in response to a call for evidence from the government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

According to Manchester research, levels of nitrogen oxides have shown reduction in most locations in the UK during mid-March and April when lockdown has been in full force – but the level of decline ranges from of 20 to 80 percent.

Thanks all for info I listen out for pollen count

The Guardian online has an article entitled "Corona Virus lockdown causes big drop in airp ollution". Although it states that air pollution has been coming down, although ozone levels have risen. The nearest place to us is London, where the ozone has been much higher, in fact the highest of all the cities included.

"The analysis is preliminary as full calibration of the data takes time, but Lee said it was very clear there had been a significant fall in pollution. The biggest factor is the reduction in road traffic, as other contributors such as gas power station operations, heating for buildings and emissions from farms are unlikely to have changed overall.

One pollutant – ozone – has risen. This is because chemical interactions in the air normally result in NO2 and small particles reducing ozone levels. So as they have fallen, ozone has risen. But Lee said: “The ozone increases are small, and it usually doesn’t become a problem until the summer months anyway.”

This may go some way to explain while we have been experiencing high pollution during the warmer weather.

"Ground-level ozone is a colorless and highly irritating gas that forms just above the earth's surface. It is called a "secondary" pollutant because it is produced when two primary pollutants react in sunlight and stagnantair. These two primary pollutants arenitrogen oxides(NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)" Read more on the website below

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/air-pollution/pollutants/common-contaminants/ground-level-ozone.html

Also online weather sites now seem to include pollen count, air pollution and UV levels. I need to keep an eye on all three

Hi Eileen, the weather broadcasts on the Telly often show the pollen count after the weather report.

I’ve missed most of the comments re pollen where do I find out if high/ low I suffer badly if high itchy pallet, nose eyes ears I take antihistamines daily year round, asthma reaction etc

Another interesting article from "Science Daily", this time on air pollution

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190708201829.htm

Thanks for all the air quality information - very useful

Change in the weather today, pollution down

Don't I know it what the devil is going on ????

According to DEFRA the pollution levels are up to high again today

The pollen level is now medium according to the Met office, and pollution is low.

According to DEFRA we are experiencing level 3 pollution, which is the high end of low. I still normally experience increased breathlessness at this level, but the last couple of days were something else. Unfortunately the local monitors sight still seems to be not working.

Hi Felicity thank you my lungs are saying something different this morning and my nose is running I wonder what the levels are here ??

Thanks for that info, Felicity. Hope everyone has a better day today.

Good morning everybody. According to the DEFRA website this morning, pollution rates have dropped today, so we should all be able to breathe more easily. The local air pollution monitor site seems to be down, so can't see what's happening in Eastbourne at the moment. Have a nice day.

Thank you Felicity it's great to have this information your 🌟 please keep us updated