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The Courier
2 days ago
- General
- The Courier
Readers react to Dundee air pollution figures after year of LEZ
Dundee's low emission zone (LEZ) continues to divide opinion among our readers. Last week, we looked at how air quality had changed in the city in the first year of LEZ enforcement. The provisional data showed that nitrogen dioxide concentrations dropped both within and outside of the zone boundaries. The Seagate station saw an average concentration of 25.24µg/m3 in the past 12 months. That was a drop from 28.87 µg/m3 in the year running up to the enforcement. Whitehall, also within the LEZ, saw only a very slight decline. Professor Jill Belch, who studies the impact of air pollution on health, said that a decrease is 'extremely encouraging'. Chris Gibson was one of several subscribers who had their say in our comments section. He said: 'Historically the Seagate and Whitehall St were bad, largely due to the high volume of diesel buses. 'The shift to electric buses made a big difference, probably making the need for the LEZ redundant.' Dundee Born and Bred added: 'Our wee LEZ makes no difference and should be removed.' Some still view the zone as a 'cash grab' or 'money-making exercise'. Charles Allison said: 'This initiative is fully achieving its primary aim, as has been demonstrated big-time in London. 'It makes a lot of money for the council. Which they need. Whether it has a negative impact on city centre footfall is something worth considering too.' In the first six months of the LEZ enforcement, more than £880,000 worth of fines were issued in Dundee. However, the council is limited by law in terms of what they can do with the collected fines. The funds can only be used by local authorities to support the scheme's objectives or, if there is any money left, to repay LEZ-related grants. Meanwhile, others believe measures to bring down air pollution should be extended. Gregor McIntosh said: 'So it seems the LEZ is working, but the council needs to go further. 'More buses, more regularly, in more places. Properly tackle car dependency.' The question of air quality targets also prompted a lot of debate, with Ms Belch's claim that 'current levels are still unsafe' provoking a reaction. One subscriber said: 'No two people will suffer the same effects of inhaling external toxins, but it's undeniable that for the vast majority, those effects will be highly negative. 'Happening to know one person in the very small number who managed to live longer with few health effects doesn't change that. 'There's absolutely nothing wrong with the comment from Prof Belch. 'Legal limits for anything are set based on statistical models that take a whole range of factors into account. That doesn't mean those limits shouldn't be lower, and that's exactly what experts will argue for.' Last week's article explains that Dundee's air quality has been within Scotland's Air Quality Objective. That target is only to remain below an average of 40µg/m3 of nitrogen dioxide. However the WHO reviewed its guidelines in 2021 and instead now suggest annual average at 10 µg/m3. One Courier website user said: 'For a start…the WHO is an unelected organisation. And look how quickly they changed the goalposts.. '[T]hey set a target, but now we need to all of a sudden have to reduce it by a quarter of that target? Convenient. 'Also the fact that we were already in safe levels yet the poorest people in Dundee get hit with fines for trying to make a go of themselves or by trying to get to work in the only RELIABLE source of transport – their car!' However, the target has changed after more than two decades of further research. Scotland's objectives are based on guidelines first introduced in 2005. Fifer Chris responded to the previous comment: 'You are right in saying that the WHO is an unelected organisation, which is why they ADVISE governments worldwide. They do not and cannot mandate or set laws in the UK – that's for the governments we elect to do. So your point there is misleading.'
The Courier
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Courier
Has Dundee LEZ really made our air cleaner?
Dundee's low emission zone (LEZ) has been enforced for a year – but is it really making a difference? Within the first three months of it being in action, the council handed out nearly half a million pounds in fines. The measures became a source of frustration for the scores of motorists left out of pocket. But supporters point to the need to keep the most polluting vehicles out of the city centre, to decrease harmful nitrogen dioxide levels branded an 'invisible killer'. On the first anniversary of the scheme, we reveal the difference the LEZ has made to air pollution in Dundee. Dundee has six air quality monitoring stations. Two of them, Whitehall Street and Seagate, fall within the LEZ. Before the zone was officially introduced all the stations were within the Scottish Air Quality Objective. It sets the target for annual mean nitrogen dioxide levels to stay under 40µg/m3. The council's website on the LEZ states that there are still locations where that annual level is not being met. But let's have a look back to before the traffic rules were rolled out. In 2023, the highest annual mean was recorded at the Seagate station- 28.7µg/m3. However, as there are seasonal variations in pollution levels, we calculated the average over 12 month periods between June 1 and May 31 the following year. In the 12 months since the LEZ started to be enforced, there are signs of improvement for the Seagate station. From June 2024 to the end of May, the average nitrogen dioxide level was 25.24µg/m3. Meanwhile in the preceding 12 months it was 28.87. But the Whitehall Street monitoring station did not see a very significant change. In the year before the LEZ, the site started off at a lower average of 20.72 µg/m3. That fell marginally to 20.61 in the year since. Both stations have been within the Scottish target throughout the period we looked at. But what do these changes mean? And do they need to continue coming down? We asked an expert specialising in the impact of air pollution on health. Professor Jill Belch, clinical professor at the University of Dundee's School of Medicine, has researched how air pollution impacts health. Higher air pollution is closely linked to rises in hospital admissions to Ninewells, according to her research alongside colleagues at the Tayside Pollution Research Programme. And that doesn't just include lung problems. For children, who are more vulnerable to air pollution, it can also affect their gut and skin health. 'We do know that for every 10% fall in air pollution over a year, you get a 10% fall in hospital admissions,' Prof Belch said. So a decrease in the average levels at the Seagate station over 12 months is 'extremely encouraging'. She added: 'I think that more and more people are beginning to understand the issues of air pollution. 'The problem is that it is invisible, it is an invisible killer. If it were black smoke billowing out of the back of a car, I think people understand more easily that it is very toxic.' The clinical professor is now looking to study the health benefits of the LEZ by looking at changes in hospital admission data since it was introduced. While our air pollution objectives are 'the best in Europe', new research suggests that they may still be too high. Scotland was the first in the UK to take on World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality objectives set in 2005. But the WHO now suggests that the annual levels should be a quarter of our current goal – just 10µg/m3. And work by Prof Belch and her colleagues backs that up after showing that children are more sensitive to air pollution concentrations above that limit. 'We are within the current levels, but the current levels are still unsafe,' she warned. 'We do need the LEZs to get our levels even lower.' The Scottish target focuses solely on the annual average air pollution. Pollution levels follow seasonal trends and are often higher in the winter when the air is still so an average over a year can be helpful to track changes. But even day-to-day spikes have an impact on people's health. 'You can be in a situation where the annual measurement is okay but you have days when it is really high and that is when people are being admitted to hospital,' Prof Belch explained. Dundee monitoring sites do record occasional daily average pollution levels surpassing 40µg/m3, both before and after the LEZ. In the year since its enforcement, the maximum daily concentration at the Seagate site was 63µg/m3. That is higher than the peak in the preceding 12 months – 60.4µg/m3. However, only 7.8% of the 359 measurements since the enforcement surpassed 40µg/m3. Meanwhile from June 2023 to the end of May 2024, 13.4% of the measurements peaked above 40. But that change is less apparent on Whitehall Street. Again, the maximum daily average since the LEZ enforcement was higher than in 2023/24. Yet it does show signs of decreasing since 2021/22. A total of 4.2% of measurements surpassed 40µg/m3 in the year since the LEZ. Meanwhile, in the preceding year it was just 1.7%. Nevertheless, more daily averages exceeded 40µg/m3 than in 2021/22 and 2022/23 – 5.5% and 4.9% respectively. The Lochee Road station, outside of the LEZ, has seen a consistent decline in NO2 levels since June 2021. The average for 2021/22 reached 31.4µg/m3. It is now below both the Seagate and Meadowside means. But even the stations furthest away from the zone, Broughty Ferry Road and Mains Loan, have been falling during the period. Prof Belch said there 'is a load of benefit' from falls in the levels, but not just for the people living in Dundee. She said: 'It is worthwhile saying that if you are driving a polluting car that isn't allowed in the LEZ, you are sitting in a basin of pollution within your own car. So are your children and so is anyone that is a passenger in that car. 'Really you are building up health problems for yourself and your family.' On a day-to-day level, almost all stations surpass a daily average of 40µg/m3 of nitrogen dioxide on peak day. In fact, the 59µg/m3 daily average from Broughty Ferry Road on January 10 this year marks a new peak in the data going back to 2021. But the Mains Loan site is an exception. It did not exceed the level in a single daily average in the past 12 months. While the daily pollution levels still fluctuate within the Dundee LEZ, they didn't surpass 60µg/m3 like they did in 2021. Broughty Ferry Road actually only saw daily average concentrations spike above 40µg/m3 twice in the past 12 months. That is only 0.57% of the 351 valid measurements. Meanwhile, at the Meadowside one in ten daily averages site surpassed 40µg/m3. That was the highest proportion across Dundee in the past 12 months. But as time goes on we will have a clearer picture of LEZ impact. Data collected so far this year could still see minor modifications as part of a verification process carried out by Scottish Air Quality. A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: 'Enforcement of the Low Emission Zone commenced on 30th May 2024 with ratified air quality data only available for seven months of the scheme so far. 'The initial performance of the Low Emission Zone has shown positive results which comply with NO2 annual mean air quality objectives. We continue to monitor and evaluate this year-on-year data to gather a more representative trend on the performance of the LEZ. 'The Low Emission Zone is one of many measures being taken by the Council to improve air quality in the city with a new Air Quality Action Plan being developed which will outline further measures up until 2029.' Was your Dundee street hit by tragedy in WW2? Our map shows addresses of more than 1,000 victims How Storm Babet brought record-breaking rainfall to Tayside and Fife
The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Your risk of heart attack and stroke can be detected 10 YEARS earlier with ‘simple' scan, study shows
A 'SIMPLE' MRI scan can spot the risk of heart attack or stroke 10 years before, a study shows. Researchers at the University of Dundee said their findings could "save vast numbers of lives" as it could give patients the option of preventative treatment. Advertisement 3 An increased mass of the heart's left ventricle is a 'clear indicator' of cardiovascular risk Credit: Getty Paying attention to a particular part of the heart - the left ventricle -can help indicate someone's risk of future cardiovascular events, scientists said, even if the organ is pumping away normally at the time of the assessment. Scientists studied 5,000 healthy Tayside residents with no risk or history of cardiovascular disease, which refers to conditions that narrow or block blood vessels, including heart attack, stroke and heart failure. But, a decade later, it became apparent that an increased - but normal - mass of the heart's left ventricle was a 'clear indicator' of cardiovascular risk. Ventricles are two chambers at the bottom of the heart. The right pumps blood to the lungs, and the left ventricle supplies blood to the rest of the body. Advertisement Read more on heart health Thickening of the left ventricle's muscle wall is well-established marker for people considered at high-risk of cardiovascular disease, according to the research team. It tends to occur early in the disease process and flags issues such as high blood pressure. But what the left ventricle can reveal for people considered low to medium risk is less well known. Study lead Professor Jill Belch described the findings - published in the journal Radiology - as a 'very exciting and significant development', especially since researchers found different risk factors in men and women. Advertisement Most read in Health 'We looked at thousands of health records and it became apparent that the mass of the left ventricle was a clear indicator of future risk of cardiovascular disease," she said. 'What made our findings particularly interesting was the difference we noted between men and women." Millions at risk of 'silent killer' that triggers heart attacks and stroke - as doctors warn it's 3 times more common than feared A larger left ventricle in men was linked to diastolic blood pressure - the pressure blood exerts against artery walls between heartbeats - while in women it was linked to Cholesterol fat-like substance found in blood. Too much of a harmful type called LDL cholesterol can block blood vessels and up the risk of heart problems and stroke. Advertisement Prof Belch said: 'In men, we found that a larger left ventricle, associated with heart attack and stroke, was linked to the diastolic blood pressure. "This level was what we would consider to be normal, albeit in the upper level. 3 Professor Jill Belch from the University of Dundee School of Medicine Credit: PA 3 She said the findings 'allow us to pick up people and treat them before any organ damage has occurred' Credit: PA Advertisement "In women, we found a link between an increase in left ventricle mass and cholesterol. "Again, this level was in the upper end of what we would consider normal. "Both the level of blood pressure and cholesterol level were such that, normally, no preventative treatment would be offered." Prof Belch said men should be encouraged to monitor and reduce their diastolic blood pressure, while women should be given statins at earlier to control cholesterol levels. Advertisement How to reduce your risk of heart attacks and stroke You can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke with many of the same methods. Heart attacks and strokes, although affecting different organs of the body, are both what we call cardiovascular events. Both arise from similar underlying conditions, such as atherosclerosis —a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries. According to the American Heart Association, the risk factors for heart attacks and strokes are largely the same: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and diabetes. Therefore, addressing these risk factors can simultaneously reduce the risk of both conditions. Here are ways you can prevent the two: Healthy diet More fruit and veg: The DASH, which emphasises fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, has been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve heart health. Less fats: Too much saturated and trans fats can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Go for healthier fats like those found in olive oil, nuts, and avocados. Limit salt: High salt intake is linked to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for both heart attack and stroke. The NHS recommends no more than 6g of salt per day for adults. Fibre: Foods high in soluble fibre, such as oats and beans, can help lower cholesterol levels. Exercise Walking, running, cycling, swimming - whatever you like, do it! Aerobic exercise can strengthen the heart and improve circulation. The NHS advises at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week. Strength training exercises can help control weight, improve cholesterol levels, and reduce blood pressure. It is recommended twice a week by the NHS. Manage blood pressure Healthy diet and exercise can help keep your blood pressure in check. But it is worth monitoring it yourself after the age of 40, at least, when the NHS invites adults for a check-up every five years. High blood pressure often has no symptoms but significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Quit smoking One of the best ways to quit smoking is to use resources provided by NHS Smokefree. Support groups, medications, and other tools to help quit smoking such as vapes could be what you need to kick the habit for good - and it's free. Limit booze Excessive alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure and contribute to weight gain, which can snowball and become a heart health risk. The NHS recommends not regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week. But she noted that none of the volunteers who took part the study had "immediate risk of heart disease". "This is exciting as it allows us to pick up people and treat them before any organ damage has occurred," Prof Belch said. 'We have clearly identified a very early marker of future cardiovascular disease which can be detected via a simple MRI scan. 'This is a widely available, easy to perform procedure that our study has proven to be able to identify people at risk of cardiovascular disease who may have no other identifiable risk factors, 10 years before the event. Advertisement 'The ability to provide pre-emptive treatment for patients at a stage where their heart is working perfectly well could save vast numbers of lives which are cruelly taken from us as a consequence of cardiovascular disease.'
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Your risk of heart attack and stroke can be detected 10 YEARS earlier with ‘simple' scan, study shows
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A 'SIMPLE' MRI scan can spot the risk of heart attack or stroke 10 years before, a study shows. Researchers at the University of Dundee said their findings could "save vast numbers of lives" as it could give patients the option of preventative treatment. 3 An increased mass of the heart's left ventricle is a 'clear indicator' of cardiovascular risk Credit: Getty Paying attention to a particular part of the heart - the left ventricle -can help indicate someone's risk of future cardiovascular events, scientists said, even if the organ is pumping away normally at the time of the assessment. Scientists studied 5,000 healthy Tayside residents with no risk or history of cardiovascular disease, which refers to conditions that narrow or block blood vessels, including heart attack, stroke and heart failure. But, a decade later, it became apparent that an increased - but normal - mass of the heart's left ventricle was a 'clear indicator' of cardiovascular risk. Ventricles are two chambers at the bottom of the heart. The right pumps blood to the lungs, and the left ventricle supplies blood to the rest of the body. Thickening of the left ventricle's muscle wall is well-established marker for people considered at high-risk of cardiovascular disease, according to the research team. It tends to occur early in the disease process and flags issues such as high blood pressure. But what the left ventricle can reveal for people considered low to medium risk is less well known. Study lead Professor Jill Belch described the findings - published in the journal Radiology - as a 'very exciting and significant development', especially since researchers found different risk factors in men and women. 'We looked at thousands of health records and it became apparent that the mass of the left ventricle was a clear indicator of future risk of cardiovascular disease," she said. 'What made our findings particularly interesting was the difference we noted between men and women." Millions at risk of 'silent killer' that triggers heart attacks and stroke - as doctors warn it's 3 times more common than feared A larger left ventricle in men was linked to diastolic blood pressure - the pressure blood exerts against artery walls between heartbeats - while in women it was linked to cholesterol. Cholesterol fat-like substance found in blood. Too much of a harmful type called LDL cholesterol can block blood vessels and up the risk of heart problems and stroke. Prof Belch said: 'In men, we found that a larger left ventricle, associated with heart attack and stroke, was linked to the diastolic blood pressure. "This level was what we would consider to be normal, albeit in the upper level. 3 Professor Jill Belch from the University of Dundee School of Medicine Credit: PA 3 She said the findings 'allow us to pick up people and treat them before any organ damage has occurred' Credit: PA "In women, we found a link between an increase in left ventricle mass and cholesterol. "Again, this level was in the upper end of what we would consider normal. "Both the level of blood pressure and cholesterol level were such that, normally, no preventative treatment would be offered." Prof Belch said men should be encouraged to monitor and reduce their diastolic blood pressure, while women should be given statins at earlier to control cholesterol levels. How to reduce your risk of heart attacks and stroke You can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke with many of the same methods. Heart attacks and strokes, although affecting different organs of the body, are both what we call cardiovascular events. Both arise from similar underlying conditions, such as atherosclerosis —a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries. According to the American Heart Association, the risk factors for heart attacks and strokes are largely the same: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and diabetes. Therefore, addressing these risk factors can simultaneously reduce the risk of both conditions. Here are ways you can prevent the two: Healthy diet More fruit and veg: The DASH, which emphasises fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, has been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve heart health. Less fats: Too much saturated and trans fats can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Go for healthier fats like those found in olive oil, nuts, and avocados. Limit salt: High salt intake is linked to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for both heart attack and stroke. The NHS recommends no more than 6g of salt per day for adults. Fibre: Foods high in soluble fibre, such as oats and beans, can help lower cholesterol levels. Exercise Walking, running, cycling, swimming - whatever you like, do it! Aerobic exercise can strengthen the heart and improve circulation. The NHS advises at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week. Strength training exercises can help control weight, improve cholesterol levels, and reduce blood pressure. It is recommended twice a week by the NHS. Manage blood pressure Healthy diet and exercise can help keep your blood pressure in check. But it is worth monitoring it yourself after the age of 40, at least, when the NHS invites adults for a check-up every five years. High blood pressure often has no symptoms but significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Quit smoking One of the best ways to quit smoking is to use resources provided by NHS Smokefree. Support groups, medications, and other tools to help quit smoking such as vapes could be what you need to kick the habit for good - and it's free. Limit booze Excessive alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure and contribute to weight gain, which can snowball and become a heart health risk. The NHS recommends not regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week. But she noted that none of the volunteers who took part the study had "immediate risk of heart disease". "This is exciting as it allows us to pick up people and treat them before any organ damage has occurred," Prof Belch said. 'We have clearly identified a very early marker of future cardiovascular disease which can be detected via a simple MRI scan. 'This is a widely available, easy to perform procedure that our study has proven to be able to identify people at risk of cardiovascular disease who may have no other identifiable risk factors, 10 years before the event. 'The ability to provide pre-emptive treatment for patients at a stage where their heart is working perfectly well could save vast numbers of lives which are cruelly taken from us as a consequence of cardiovascular disease.'
STV News
13-05-2025
- Health
- STV News
‘Simple' MRI scan can spot heart disease risk 10 years early, scientists say
A 'simple' MRI scan can identify people at risk of heart disease 10 years before they have a heart attack or stroke, scientists have announced. Researchers at the University of Dundee made the breakthrough by analysing data from thousands of volunteers in the Tayside area collected between 2008 and 2013. When their data was collected none of the 5,015 volunteers had a history of cardiovascular disease, and none were at 'immediate risk' of the disease. When the team looked at the data a decade on, it became apparent that an increased (but normal) mass of the heart's left ventricle was a 'clear indicator' of a risk of future cardiovascular disease. This was the case even when the organ was functioning correctly at the time of assessment. The study also identified different risk factors in men and women, with a larger left ventricle in men being linked with diastolic blood pressure, while in women it was linked with cholesterol. Ventricles are the lower 'chambers' of the heart that pump blood to different parts of the body, with the right ventricle pumping blood to the lungs, and the left ventricle supplying blood to the rest of the body. Study lead Professor Jill Belch, of the university's School of Medicine, described the findings as a 'very exciting and significant development'. 'We looked at thousands of health records and it became apparent that the mass of the left ventricle was a clear indicator of future risk of cardiovascular disease,' she said. 'What made our findings particularly interesting was the difference we noted between men and women. 'In men, we found that a larger left ventricle, associated with heart attack and stroke, was linked to the diastolic – the bottom measure – blood pressure. This level was what we would consider to be normal, albeit in the upper level. 'In women, we found a link between an increase in left ventricle mass and cholesterol. Again, this level was in the upper end of what we would consider normal.' She explained that the blood pressure and cholesterol levels in themselves would not have led to preventative treatment being offered. Prof Belch went on: 'We have clearly identified a very early marker of future cardiovascular disease which can be detected via a simple MRI scan. 'This is a widely available, easy to perform procedure that our study has proven to be able to identify people at risk of cardiovascular disease who may have no other identifiable risk factors, 10 years before the event. 'The ability to provide pre-emptive treatment for patients at a stage where their heart is working perfectly well could save vast numbers of lives which are cruelly taken from us as a consequence of cardiovascular disease.' She added: 'The volunteers who took part in this study had no immediate risk of heart disease. 'This is exciting as it allows us to pick up people, and treat them, before any organ damage has occurred.' Cardiovascular disease can refer to several conditions that narrow or block blood vessels, including heart attack, stroke and heart failure. While some people are susceptible for genetic reasons, a person's likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease can be increased by factors like smoking, obesity, poor diet and lack of exercise. The findings have been welcomed by the charity Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS), which funded the study, with chief executive Jane-Claire Hudson saying they are 'proud' to have supported the research. 'Studies like this are vital in enhancing our understanding of heart and stroke conditions as well possible ways to try and prevent their occurrence or reduce their impact on those currently affected,' she said. 'This research, combined with the work CHSS delivers across the country, can help us make a positive impact to people's health in Scotland and ensure no life is half lived.' The study was published in the journal Radiology. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
