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LEVELS OF DUBLIN air pollution in winter has been linked to a rise in the number of people hospitalised for a stroke, an Irish-led study has found.
The study, led by researchers from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), was published in a journal called Cerebrovascular Diseases.
The researchers found a significant rise in the number of hospitalisations for stroke in Dublin zero to two days after a rise in air pollution.
This link was evident after accounting for variables such as temperature, humidity, day of the week and time.
In winter, there are higher levels of particles, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide found in the air due to solid fuel burning and road traffic.
Higher levels of nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide showed an associated 3.5% higher risk of stroke, the scientists found.
Higher levels of coarse particles (such as dust) in the air correlated with a 3.2% higher risk and finer particles with a 2.4% higher risk.
Similar analysis in Cork showed no significant association for all air pollutants. However, meta-analysis showed an association between hospitalisations for strokes and higher levels of nitrogen dioxide and fine particles in the air.
Approximately 10,000 people each year have a stroke in Ireland, according to the Irish Heart Foundation charity.
Dr Colm Byrne, RCSI clinical lecturer and the lead author on this study, said: “Our research adds evidence that there needs to be a national ban on solid fuel burning to help in our efforts to reduce this number.”
Last month, it was announced the smoky coal ban in Ireland would be extended to all towns with populations of over 10,000 people from 1 September.
Climate Minister Eamon Ryan said this measure will reduce air pollution and promote public health.
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Interesting little read, thanks Journal.
It appears that many make a living out of bringing up debris from great depths.
I don’t agree with this .
A sheer commercial entity.
There are companies that salvage valuble cargos from cargo vessels such as valuble metals & make a good living from it. In my view its just recycling & does not invade the final resting place of some poor souls lost at sea. I think myself taking little personal items from a ship like the titanic is only about fueling our curiosities & as such is grave robbing. I dont mind observing the wreck of the titanic & understanding what happened. However removing valuable commercial cargos that can be used again & may even help clean up the seabed a little should continue & be encouraged
Grave robbing!!
Or marine archaeology !! How much has been made off of Egyptian artifacts etc
What good is it doing at the bottom of the sea? While the ship’s hull makes for a good reef for marine life, I doubt they need jewelery!
Also, I don’t consider it grave robbing because those “graves” were NOT put there on purpose. unlike the egyptian tombs.
Excellent article.
I’m gonna assemble a crew as soon as I’ve raised the 200,000.
i agree. auctions of titanic wreckage items is no different than what Egyptian archaeologists have done to sell items to museums from their digging expeditions. its a double standard if one agrees with Egyptian archaeologists “grave robbing” and not with titanic maritime recovery missions.
hmm easy way to make fast cash
Completely disagree. I would see it as marine archaeology.
I would want part of who I was to be remebered. I would hope that with every piece that comes up that we become closer to the lives that didn’t survive. Its not grave robbing at all. Its simpling remembering who we are as people. And trust me ladies with nice jewelry don’t want it rotting at the bottom of the ocean.
have your say