Categoriale archieven: English

WHO: ‘New WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines aim to save millions of lives from air pollution’

Copenhagen and Geneva, 22 September 2021 Air pollution is one of the biggest environmental threats to human health, alongside climate change. New World Health Organization (WHO) Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) provide clear evidence of the damage air pollution inflicts on human health, at even lower concentrations than previously understood. The guidelines recommend new air quality levels to protect the health of populations, by reducing levels of key air pollutants, some of which also contribute to climate change. Since WHO’s … Lees meer

New research in Journal of Environmental Protection: “Levels and Sources of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Surrounding an Oil Refinery in Curaçao”

One month ago, Erin L. Pulster et al. (Mote Marine Laboratory, USA) published new research findings in the Journal of Environmental Protection (“Levels and Sources of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Surrounding an Oil Refinery in Curaçao,” March 2019) concerning the environmental impact of the Isla-refinery. Their article can be obtained here. The abstract follows here below. Abstract This research measured ambient levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) surrounding a petrochemical complex on the island of Curacao using passive air sampling. In … Lees meer

Major research concerning impact of air pollution (SO2 and particulate matter): “The burden of air pollution and weather condition on daily respiratory deaths among older adults in China, Jinan from 2011 to 2017” (Medicine, 2019)

Wan-Mei Song et al. have published in the widely read scientific journal Medicine their research (“The burden of air pollution and weather condition on daily respiratory deaths among older adults in China, Jinan from 2011 to 2017”, March 2019), which concerns the impact of air pollution on respiratory death. Please find below the abstract of their article. The full tekst can be downloaded here. Abstract The health effects of short-term exposure to air pollutants on respiratory deaths and its modifiers such … Lees meer

The Daily Herald: ‘Silent Isla chimneys a blessing for judges’

How simple can it be? It’s a piece of cake for the judges. Last week I was allowed to be a spectator again at a trial of SMOC foundation against the Isla. The whole story is a full academic discussion about the gas emission of the refinery. The limit is set at 80. Isla thinks it is 79, SMOC foundation states that this limit was also exceeded in 2014 and that calculations show that the emissions are well above 80. Various … Lees meer

New research: ‘Assessment of Inhalable Particulate Matter Associated with a Refinery in Curaçao’

New research has been published concerning the biggest environmental disaster of the Dutch Kingdom: the Isla refinery. Pulster et al. (Mote Marine Laboratory and University of South Florida) conducted a study to the impact of particulate matter on public health, which has been published in the Journal of Environmental Protection. Their article can be downloaded here. Here below you can read the abstract: ABSTRACT Inhalation and atmospheric pollution studies have focused on particulate matter due to correlations and associations with various … Lees meer

Journal of Environmental Protection: Isla, mortality and SO2

A few days ago, Pulster et al. published their article “Exposure Assessment of Ambient Sulfur Dioxide Downwind of an Oil Refinery in Curaçao” in the Journal of Environmental Protection. Considering public health, they conclude for instance: ,,Furthermore, both the 24-hour and annual mean concentrations of SO2 measured in Curaçao were within the ranges often associated with cardiovascular and respiratory effects and mortality as a result of short-term exposures. While the epidemiological evidence does not conclusively suggest there is a health … Lees meer

Curaçao Chronicle: ‘SMOC wants to consult again about oil refinery fuel’

WILLEMSTAD – The environmental organization SMOC wants to again consult with the government about the oil refinery Isla. The organization has asked the Prime Minister of Curaçao, Eugene Rhuggenaath for an appointment. During the last meeting in June, the organization received a promised that Isla would switch to cleaner fuel instead of asphalt for Isla and power plant BOO before the end of the year. According to SMOC that did not take place. The clean air foundation indicated that the … Lees meer

Caribisch Juristenblad: “Industrial pollution and human rights: A case study of the Isla refinery on Curaçao”

Author: L.E.J. van den Bergh Author information: Van den Bergh has a master’s degree in International and European Union Law from the Erasmus School of Law. She is currently working on her second master’s degree in Commercial and Company Law in Rotterdam. Title article: “Industrial pollution and human rights: A case study of the Isla refinery on Curaçao” Journal: Caribisch Juristenblad  Abstract The pollution by the Isla refinery on Curaçao has been a problem for many years. Curaçaoans living downwind … Lees meer

The Lancet: ‘Pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and premature death in the world today’

Pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and premature death in the world today. Diseases caused by pollution were responsible for an estimated 9 million premature deaths in 2015—16% of all deaths worldwide—three times more deaths than from AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined and 15 times more than from all wars and other forms of violence. In the most severely affected countries, pollution-related disease is responsible for more than one death in four. Read more here.

International Energy Agency: huge CO2 emissions per capita on Curaçao

Due to the burning of fossil fuels, CO2 is released to the atmosphere. This is accompanied with ocean acidification and an increasing sea level. In the end, small island development states (SIDS) and coral reefs will pay the highest price for these developments. Furthermore, many people depend on coral reefs for food and income. Therefore, the International Energy Agency (IEA) published “Key World Energy Statistics”. This influential report outlines key numbers of countries regarding CO2 emissions. In this respect, Qatar leads … Lees meer