*Not only are levels of Suspended Particulate Matter above permissible limits in Mumbai, but the worst pollutant after vehicular emissions has grown at an alarming rate. *Construction work among main causes; respiratory diseases are on the rise, say doctors Despite all the efforts to reign in pollution in the financial capital, data collected by a slew of mobile air quality monitoring vans across the city have some alarming news: The levels of Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM), or dust, in Mumbai's air have continued to increase over the past three years.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Midway Consortium decided to launch CNG buses on different routes of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. It would make the transport system more effective and would also reduce the commuters rush on the bus stops The commuters were facing difficulties after termination of Varan Tours. At that time Varan was providing comfortable travelling facility to the commuters of the twin cities but the service was terminated due to certain reasons.

Soaring concentrations of hazardous fine particles in Central Europe have been traced back to parched farmland left to gather dust to the east in the Ukraine. In spring 2007 levels of particulate matter (known as PM10) reached almost 30 times the European average in parts of Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany. Air quality specialists looking into the event now believe the dust originated from fallow land on Ukrainian farms and was carried west by unfavourable winds.

Cleaner air due to reduced coal burning could help destroy the Amazon this century, according to a finding published on Wednesday that highlights the complex challenges of global climate change. The study in the journal Nature identified a link between reduced sulphur dioxide emissions from coal burning and increased sea surface temperatures in the tropical North Atlantic that boosts the drought risk in the Amazon rainforest. With the rainforest already threatened by development, higher global temperatures could tip the balance, they said.

Athletes suffering from asthma face no greater health risk at this summer's Beijing Olympics than other athletes, despite the city's pollution problem, a European anti-asthma organisation said on Tuesday. Beijing has been under increasing pressure to improve air quality ahead of the Aug. 8-24 Games after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said there was some risk to athletes competing in endurance events lasting more than an hour.

Laying stress on proper care and medication for asthmatics, various non-government bodies organised talks and lectures to mark World Asthma Day in the Tricity today. Health Aid Medicare (I), which is working for promotion of good health in schools, conducted the lectures and workshops at schools on asthma in children and its treatment. Children were made aware about causes, risk factors and preventive measures for asthma. They were also told about exercises to increase lung function and power.

Close on the heels of quality issues related to some of the wind turbine blades supplied in the US and other parts of the world, Suzlon Energy - the fifth largest wind power equipment manufacturer in the world - is facing more problems in the US. Suzlon Rotor Corporation, its US subsidiary which manufactures wind turbine blades and nose cones at Pipestone, Minnesota, has been fined by the local Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for allegedly violating air pollution control norms.

The associations of CNG filling stations have increased price of compressed natural gas (CNG) in Sindh by Rs 1.25 to Rs 38.25 per kilogram, a move vehemently opposed by the users. CNG Station Owners Association (CSOA) Chairman Malik Khuda Buksh said that the decision had been taken at an emergency meeting of the CSAO and CNG Dealers Association held here on Monday.

"Play your matches, but please do not pollute the city's air and definitely do not disturb the patients across the road at Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan Hospital by bursting crackers,' is the request that Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has made to the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA). Her appeal came after the Indian Premier League matches held at Ferozshah Kotla Stadium here on April 19 and 30 which saw large-scale bursting of crackers increased noise pollution and traffic jams.