EMEA News
Study: Particulate Matter Pollution from Shipping Worse than Thought
Scientists from Lund University in Sweden say that particulate matter (PM) pollution from ships may be worse than previously thought, UK media reports.
The studies are said to demonstrate that areas with high levels of shipping showed higher levels of the nanoparticles than previously thought, particulates that are said to be able to travel long distances on the wind, as well as contribute to respiratory problems and premature death.
"We were surprised to see that ship emissions could contribute so much to nanoparticles," explained researcher Adam Kristtensson.
The research is reported to have been carried out in the Baltic and North Sea, but scientists say that the results could also apply to the English Channel and other areas of heavy shipping.
"If you go to other environments where you have very high shipping lanes you could have roughly the same kind of effects," said Kristtensson.
"Previously, we thought that land-based pollution from northern European countries and emissions of natural particles from the surface of the sea accounted for a much larger proportion," he added, noting that an estimated 50 percent of particles stem from marine emissions, while the remainder is attributable to cars, other industries, and sea particles.
However, Kristensson stresses that the estimates of particles are not certain and continued measurements are important.
"It is especially important to continue to set stricter caps on nitrogen oxides and sulfate content from ship fuel," he added, noting that he hopes regulations will help to reduce PM emissions in the future, particularly soot particles, which he says are considered to be most hazardous.
In March, Germany-based Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) announced the results of a study that it says shows that "scrubbers are no solution to air pollution from ships."
