TFL to use dust suppressants to reduce PM10 levels

[alexb]

UK first as innovative trial to reduce London's air pollution gets under way | Transport for London

7. HEALTH HAZARD DATA

Inhalation: Possible with ensuing irritation.

Skin Contact: Possible with ensuing irritation.

Eye Contact: Possible with ensuing irritation.

Ingestion: Possible with ensuing irritation.

Signs & Symptoms of Exposure: Irritation of skin, eyes and respiratory tract.

ACUTE: Irritant

CHRONIC: N/A

Medical conditions generally aggravated by exposure: Irritation of respiratory tract.

Chemical listed as Carcinogen or Potential Carcinogen: No

Discuss.

[corshamjim]

Is it any worse than Rock Salt? viz:

Inhalation: Extremely high concentrations of dust are typically self-eliminated due to the nuisance conditions they create. Over exposure may produce irritation of the mucous membranes, nose, throat, coughing and shortness of breath. In addition certain ice melters may contain small amounts of silica particles less than 5mm in diameter. These silica particles are capable of causing silicosis if inhaled in high enough concentrations over an extended period of time. The principal manifestation of silicosis if difficulty in breathing. This condition can progress to dry cough, shortness of breath on exertion, decreased lung function and pulmonary fibrosis.

Skin Contact: May cause irritation, particular on damp skin. Repeated or prolonged contact could lead to dermatitis.

Eye Contact: May cause irritation and conjunctivitis.

Ingestion: May produce nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort and, if swallowed in very large amounts, may cause increased urination and central nervous system depression.

[clarion]

Not listed as a carcinogen?

[andygates]

Interesting idea.

The health data sheets are for industrial handling.  The dose makes the poison.  Only mendacious poo ladies would use one alone to suggest a risk.

Y'know, it's kinda geoengineering on a teeny scale.  And it shows the more fundamental problem of geoengineering like this: you have to keep going and now balance two spigots -- particulates and suckspooge -- instead of just cutting the bad spigot down.  Caveat that it doesn't distract from the important business of making cleaner transport.

[alexb]

It's a fix for something that Boris chose not to chase down through more aggressive regulation.

He could have gone for the Low Emission Zone changes that Ken had planned and that Boris rejected.

We would perhaps have seen an effect if he'd kept Taxis on a 6 monthly MOT instead of letting them lobby him into going to annual MOTs.

With regulation and fines for non-compliance he could have used dirty vehicles as a revenue stream until those road users stopped driving into London.

Instead we get a £300,000 cost transferred to us.

Interestingly, it might work as a deicer and be more effective than salt. I agree with the above, salt is horrible, but it's only used in winter. This would be year-round.

[Pancho]

When most BigOrgs include a statement from the big cheese in their press release, you can be pretty sure that the PR team wrote it with the man himself, at most, just giving it the nod.

'We have scoured the globe to find new ways to tackle pollution and found this wonderful contraption that tackles air quality head on, sticking particles to the roads' surface and preventing their dastardly escape back into the air we breathe.

Either Boris actually does his own quotes or they've got a Boris Emulator in the PR office.

[andygates]

I want a Boris Emulator!