Discourse for all interested in all things air-quality related
Between roughly 1850 and the present day, the trend in global mean surface temperature (GMST) has, generally speaking, been positive, meaning the GMST has been rising. Interestingly, though, from 1940 to 1980 GMST stabilized. (See temperature plot at bottom). Incidentally, as reported by NASA’s Earth Observatory the GMST has increased a total of 0.7 degrees … Read more
The below Jul. 22, 2020 press release is from OptiFuel Systems OptiFuel Systems (“OptiFuel”), a system integrator of Cummins and BAE Systems hybrid power products for decarbonizing the rail, marine, and microgrid power market, is in the process of finalizing a $2.6 million U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant to demonstrate a pre-production Renewable Natural … Read more
The Fresno Bee on Dec. 16, 2007 introduced its groundbreaking Special Report Fighting For Air. This source was referenced here before. Its mention is important from the standpoint that at that time air quality in California’s Central Valley was a big deal. And just how big a deal was it? Between 2004 and 2007, according … Read more
There are those who rail against California’s bullet-train project asserting that the system will require subsidization. They argue that there isn’t enough available capital even to fund construction of 119 miles of line between Shafter and Madera, much less build 520 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles and Anaheim (the complete Phase 1 portion). … Read more
So a check of the fine particulate matter in Central Fresno on the evening of Jul. 4, 2020 indicates microscopic specks of soot, chemicals and liquid droplets in air measured 150 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) at 10 p.m. corresponding to a ROAR (Real-time Outdoor Activity Risk) Level 5 reading – meaning Very Unhealthy air. … Read more
In 2014 on American roadways, a total 3.0257 trillion vehicle miles of travel were recorded. Of that amount, 169.83 billion miles that year were tallied in heavy-duty trucks.1 Assuming the calculation is correct, that’s 5.612 percent. In California in 2014, meanwhile, driving miles totaled 332.8572 billion or 11 percent of the 3.0257 trillion total miles … Read more
This June 16th marks five years since construction on California’s statewide high-speed rail program first began. There are now 4,000 laborers doing bullet-train-related building work in the Golden State’s Central Valley at over three dozen sites. That level of commitment notwithstanding, there are those who think that they know what’s best regarding where yet-unspent dedicated … Read more
Natural gas. It is used to dry our clothes, cook our food, heat our water and warm our homes. All true. But, from an air quality standpoint, how clean-burning or unhealthy are the gas-fired appliances that we use? Many, apparently, just don’t make the grade. As far as unhealthy indoor air quality from natural gas-powered … Read more
The below Jun. 1, 2020 press release is from Wabtec Corp. Wabtec Corporation launched an air-filtration innovation, called BlueFilter®, to provide a clean, healthy environment for passengers on metro and trains. The TÜV-tested filter continuously provides fresh and clean air onboard metro and railcars by removing more than 90 percent of contaminants per air cycle. … Read more
Self-emptying or self-flushing toilets: Pretty amazing stuff, right? Now, take that and add to it a self-cleaning aspect and a provision for purifying air and what’s been invented is a self-emptying, self-cleaning, smell-removing commode. Who could ask for more?! Did someone say more? On the Air Quality Matters blog from time to time, covered have … Read more