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.