The Liberal Democrats have announced a massive expansion of marine protected areas and a new Blue Flag status for rivers will be included in their general election manifesto. The plan would include legally binding targets to prevent sewage overflows discharging to those sites. The Telegraph, The Times and Independent reported on the Lib Dems’ pledge […]
A new report from the Royal Academy of Engineering (National Engineering Policy Centre) looks at the priorities for mitigating health risks from wastewater pollution. This report examines the interventions available to reduce the public health risks associated with using open waters for recreation that may be polluted with faecal organisms from human waste in sewage. […]
Climate change is worsening floods, droughts and is reducing water quality, posing an increasing threat to our health, according to a new European Environment Agency (EEA) report. Fast-tracking implementation and better coordination of efforts by governments, water authorities and healthcare providers are urgently needed to prevent and reduce health impacts. The EEA report ‘Responding to […]
Climate change is increasing our exposure to fluvial flooding in Scotland. Physical and mental health are negatively impacted by flooding, with the greatest health impacts in the UK and Scotland on mental health. This CREW (Centre of Expertise for Waters) Policy Brief reviews the literature on the public health impacts of fluvial flooding, including physical and […]
The Guardian reports on research that looked at three London boroughs to value overall health benefits of active travel over 20 years at up to £4,800 per head. Policies to help people walk and cycle such as low-traffic neighbourhoods can create public health benefits as much as 100 times greater than the cost of the […]
Interesting article that considers deterioration of ageing pipes, the position of World Health Organisation and research in the UK and across the world. Hundreds of thousands of miles of pipes made from asbestos cement deliver drinking water to people around the world, but are reaching the end of their lifespan and starting to degrade. Scientists […]
The National Engineering Policy Centre has initiated a new project considering engineering interventions to mitigate the public health risks posed by wastewater pollution of rivers, in-land and coastal waters across the UK. Recreational users of natural bodies of water – including rivers, in-land and coastal waters – are potentially at risk from pollution caused by […]
Children with more green space near their homes have significantly stronger bones, a study has found, potentially leading to lifelong health benefits. Scientists found that the children living in places with 20-25% more natural areas had increased bone strength that was equivalent to half a year’s natural growth. The study, the first of its kind, […]