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Cooking with gas may lead to excessive pollution levels in poorly ventilated indoor spaces, a new study had found.

In a paper published in Heliyon, researchers led by a team from the University of Birmingham set up air sensors in seven indoor and three outdoor locations in an Oxford-based house during March-June 2020 to observe different levels of NO₂ and Particulate Matter (PM) over the period of 100 days. Data was combined with domestic activity logs to assess the impact of different chores – such as cooking and cleaning, undertaken by the householders and pollutant levels were compared the World Health Organization health-based guidelines.

Levels of NO₂ were observed to be more than five times (562%) higher in the kitchen during the study compared to background levels, and four times (412%) higher than concentrations observed at the front of the house. The kitchen also saw guideline-breaking levels of NO₂ each day during the study, and unventilated cooking with gas stoves and ovens were associated with peak air pollutants.

As with many households during the start of the pandemic, a spare bedroom was used as a study by the participants. Sensors in this bedroom observed the highest peaks of fine particles PM₁ and PM_2.5 in the house and activity logs show that the peaks also correspond with cooking activity as well as use of a printer. This suggest that pollutant emissions are travelling around the house, concentrating and accumulating in spaces with poor ventilation.

Dr Suzanne Bartington, Clinical Associate Professor in Environmental Health at the University of Birmingham and co-author of the study said:

“We were surprised by the high levels of particle pollution in the bedroom (used as a study) and the very high concentrations of NO₂ from gas cooking in the kitchen which are higher than typical roadside concentrations albeit for relatively short durations. The key thing that we noted was that the high levels are associated with activities in the home and as a result there are both policy and individual actions that can be taken to limit indoor exposure.

“It seems what you do in the house may just as, if not more important, than where the house is for many around the country seeking to minimise their exposure to air pollutants.”

Dr Felix Leach, Associate Professor of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford and co-author of the study said:

“Too often when we think about air pollution, we think about road traffic and coal-fired power stations. However, we generate plenty of pollution in our own homes too. Thanks to the indoor environment, which is often very poorly ventilated – perhaps due to insulation efforts, this pollution can build up to far higher levels indoors than are ever seen outdoors.

“This study looks at how typical household activities can generate pollution that then moves round the house. I myself am much more mindful of my and my family’s indoor air pollution exposure as a result of having done this work.”

The research team acknowledge that the study was conducted during the first COVID-19 lockdown in March-June 2020. As a result, outdoor pollution levels were lower than the five-year average. In addition, there were higher levels of indoor activity with all residents working from home during the study.

The annual report from the National Records of Scotland shows that there were 1,172 drug-related deaths in Scotland in 2023; a 12% increase on the previous year after two years of decreases.

This is the second lowest number of drug misuse deaths since 2017, with 2022 seeing the lowest number.

Drug misuse deaths are more common than they were in 2000. After adjusting for age, the rate of drug misuse deaths were 4.2 times as high in 2023 than 2000. 

The average age of drug misuse deaths has also increased from 32 to 45 since 2000.

Opiates and opioids, including heroin, morphine and methadone were implicated in 80% of all deaths.

Almost nine out of 10 drug misuse deaths were classified as accidental poisonings, with 7% classed as intentional self-poisonings.

People in the most deprived areas of Scotland are more than 15 times as likely to die from drug misuse compared to people in the least deprived areas. The association of deprivation with drug misuse deaths is much greater than with other causes of death.

Phillipa Haxton, Head of Vital Events Statistics, said:

“Today’s statistics show an increase in drug misuse deaths over the last year. The longer term trend shows that drug misuse deaths are still much more common that they were over two decades ago. In the medium term, today’s figures represent the second lowest number of deaths in the last six years.

“The statistics also provide information about the people who are dying from drug misuse. The figures show us that males were twice as likely to have a drug misuse death as females. Most of the increase in the past year was due to male deaths.

“Glasgow City and Dundee City had the highest rates of drug misuse deaths while East Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire had the lowest.”

The rate of drug poisoning deaths in Scotland was more than double the rates of other UK countries in 2022. The rate was 2.7 times as high as the rates for England and Northern Ireland, and 2.1 times as high as the rate in Wales. This is the most recent year that data is available for across the UK. When comparing Scotland and the rest of the UK, the drug poisoning definition should be used.

Did your business feel the pain of recent energy price hikes? Are you wondering what you can do to be more resilient to price volatility in the energy markets in the future?

You’re not alone. Many forward-thinking businesses across Scotland – from factories to offices, shops to holiday parks, care homes to community halls – are taking charge of their energy bills by generating their own power. 

And the great news is that there is free government support to help you, including free and impartial advice and funding for eligible microgeneration projects.

What is microgeneration?

Microgeneration means creating your own electricity and/or heat using small, renewable energy systems. Unlike big power stations, microgeneration systems are installed right where you need them – on your site.

The main types of microgeneration technologies suitable for small and medium sized businesses include:

• Solar panels
• Wind turbines
• Micro hydro
• Heat pumps

If you would like to find out if your business could take charge of its energy bills by generating its own power, Business Energy Scotland’s range of guides, videos and case studies will help you.

And the good news is that Business Energy Scotland is providing free and impartial advice and access to funding to help too.

Read more: https://businessenergyscotland.org/event/could-you-take-charge-of-your-energy-bills-with-microgeneration/

Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) have published the 2023 Annual Reports for Public Water Supplies.

In 2023, Scottish Water carried out a total of 272,017 regulatory tests (with numerical standards) on Scotland’s drinking water and many more for operational reasons such as following a burst main.

Of the 113,454 tests taken in 2023 to represent water at consumers’ taps, 99.88% complied with the standards. A further 62,253 tests were carried out on water supplied from treatment works and all but 30 of these tests met the required standards, which is a slight deterioration on the previous year’s performance. 96,310 tests were also taken from service reservoirs (SR), where treated water is stored. Compliance here was also poorer than in the last few years, due to an increase in detections of coliform bacteria.

Following several serious incidents and the rise in coliform detections, DWQR issued a Scotland- wide enforcement notice to Scottish Water, requiring the company to improve its performance in this respect so that all storage points will be inspected and maintained on a regular basis.

Water quality standards change over time, and 2023 saw the introduction of a number of new parameters as a result of Scotland’s alignment with the recast European Drinking Water Directive – the only UK nation to do so to date.

The Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 requires DWQR to publish an annual report describing the Regulator’s activities during the preceding year. This report summarises data on water quality in public and private supplies across Scotland, as well as covering water quality events and incidents, consumer contacts to Scottish Water and DWQR activities throughout the year.

Also published are separate documents detailing water quality performance and giving a summary of the water quality incidents that occurred in 2022.  The Private Water Supplies Annual Report will be published in September 2022.

All previous Annual Reports can also be found on the website.

The Scottish Government have announced proposals to introduce a strict licensing framework for canine fertility businesses.

The planned licensing scheme will clamp down on unethical breeding practices, regulate the services offered, ensure higher standards of care and protect animal welfare.

Businesses offering canine fertility services will be licensed annually, and subject to regular inspections to ensure compliance with licensing conditions.

The proposals are a response to concerns raised by those in the veterinary profession and key animal welfare organisations regarding the unregulated nature of businesses offering canine fertility services.

From July to September 2023, the Scottish Government consulted to gauge support for and gather evidence to inform proposals to license animal care services. The analysis of consultation responses was published on 16 February 2024.

89% of respondents to the consultation undertaken last year supported the Scottish Government’s proposal to license canine fertility businesses.

Secondary legislation to allow for licensing of canine fertility clinics will be introduced to Parliament at the earliest opportunity. 

Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie said:

“It is clear to me that there are significant concerns about the activities of canine fertility businesses. It is unacceptable that these businesses can operate with little in the way of regulatory oversight or accountability.

“Our decision follows careful consideration of the views expressed following public consultation last year, as well as extensive discussions with those in the veterinary profession, animal welfare organisations and local authorities.

“Our intention to bring in these measures demonstrates that we remain firmly committed to upholding the highest standards of animal welfare in Scotland.”

Scottish SPCA Director of Innovation and Strategic Relations Gilly Mendes Ferreira says:

“We have seen a surge in the establishment of canine fertility businesses in recent years, especially involving high value breeds like French Bulldogs who often struggle to give birth naturally.

“We welcome the Scottish Government’s responsiveness to our concerns and support the move to license these businesses. It will be imperative that licensing inspections are conducted by registered, experienced veterinary surgeons.

“We look forward to collaborating closely on the details of the new framework for licensing these establishments in Scotland.”

Public Health Scotland (PHS) and the Scottish Directors of Public Health have published a consensus statement – Improving Scotland’s diet and weight. This document outlines the urgent need for action to improve the health and well-being of Scotland’s population through decisive action to improve diet and weight. 

As the working age population is set to shrink in the coming years, it is vital that everyone is supported to live a long, healthy and independent life. In addition to the obvious benefits at an individual level, making improvements to Scotland’s diet and weight at a population level is also critical for protecting public services and enabling the economy to thrive.

The benefits of healthy eating, active living and maintenance of a healthy weight are widely recognised and directly associated with a wide range of health benefits. These are important routes to improving population health.

Around two-thirds of all adults in Scotland (67%) are recognised to be living with overweight (including obesity), with one third (33%) of children starting primary school being at risk of overweight (including obesity).

Claire Hislop, Registered Public Health Nutritionist at PHS and Organisational Lead for Food and Physical Activity said:

“Having an environment where healthy food is available and affordable, and where physical activity is part of everyday life, will help improve the health of everyone in Scotland.  This statement sets out the challenges we face around eating well and maintaining a healthy weight, making recommendations for key areas for action.  Addressing these actions comprehensively will not only improve individual health outcomes but also support the sustainability of public services and the economy.”

Dona Milne, Scottish Directors of Public Health said:

“The places where we live, work, learn, care and play must prioritise health. We must accelerate efforts to ensure all communities have access to sustainable, affordable and healthy food and drink options and opportunities to be physically active.”

Read the full consensus statement 

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and North Lanarkshire Council are warning consumers to be on the lookout for counterfeit alcohol products following discovery of products in Coatbridge.

Over 40 bottles (35cl) of counterfeit vodka, fraudulently labelled as Glen’s, were recovered from a shop in Coatbridge after a member of the public reported that the product they had purchased smelled of nail varnish remover. Officers from North Lanarkshire Council’s environmental health team and FSS then took swift action to locate and remove these products from the shelves and samples have been sent for analysis..

FSS and North Lanarkshire Council are warning consumers to be extra vigilant when purchasing alcohol and should check any recently purchased products. Anyone who believes they may have purchased counterfeit alcohol should contact their local council’s environmental health service or the FSS Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit – foodcrime@fss.scot. North Lanarkshire Council’s environmental health can be contacted at  01236  856361 / environmental-health@northlan.gov.uk.

Ron McNaughton, Head of the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit at FSS, said: “Drinking these types of products presents a huge risk to health.

“The labelling, the look of the packaging and the smell can suggest something’s not right. When you buy counterfeit alcohol you have no way of knowing what ingredients it contains and how strong it is, which could lead to serious illness and intoxication following one or two drinks.

“Please get in touch if you believe you have bought any counterfeit products.”

Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of the Environment and Climate Change Committee at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “This was a significant discovery by officers from a retail premises in Coatbridge, who acted quickly to remove the fake products from sale. Our environmental health and food safety officers remain vigilant to the potential issue of counterfeit alcohol within North Lanarkshire to protect public health.’’

If anyone has any information in relation to counterfeit alcohol or food crime more generally, then please contact the Scottish Food Crime Hotline (0800 028 7926), in partnership with Crimestoppers. The hotline is free and anonymous.

Health and Safety Update, 4 September 2024

This year’s annual Health and Safety Update is taking place on the morning of Wednesday 4 September on MS Teams. There is an interesting line up of speakers planned.  The programme and booking form will shortly be available on the website.

Professional Development

Plans are well underway for the next diet of professional interviews, which will be at the Carnegie Conference Centre, Dunfermline on 1-3 October 2024 where there are 27 candidates expected to sit the REHIS Diploma or SFSORB exams. 

Carol Walker, one of the Directors of Professional Development, is leaving the Institute at the beginning of August to take up a new position in a local authority.  We thank Carol and wish her all the very best for the future. 

Annual General Meeting and EH Update

This year’s AGM will be held on Friday 22 November as a hybrid meeting at the COSLA Conference Centre and on MS Teams. The REHIS Council has asked that the Institute reduces the amount of paper to be more sustainable, increase efficiency and to save costs.  It was therefore agreed that the notification of the AGM letter and the meeting papers will be emailed to members where possible and uploaded to the members section of the website. If any members have questions regarding this or specifically wish a paper copy, please contact the Chief Executive directly contact@  We thank all members for their continued support.

The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) have published their Work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain 2024 report which reveals a total of 138 workers were killed in work-related accidents in Great Britain in 2023/24, an increase of 2 fatalities from 2022/23

The most common kinds of fatal accidents to workers continue as falls from a height, struck by moving vehicle, and struck by moving object, between them accounting for around 70% of fatal injuries to workers in 2023/24.

The construction and agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors continue to account for the greatest number of workers killed in fatal accidents each year, between them accounting for just over half of all fatal injuries to workers in 2023/24.

Male workers continue to account for the vast majority of fatal injuries, with 95% of workers fatally injured in 2023/24 being men, a similar proportion to earlier years. Furthermore, deaths to workers aged 60 and over continue to account for a substantial proportion of the total – 34% in 2023/24.

The HSE explains that the fatal injuries to workers and members of the public figures are provisional and will be finalised in July 2025 to reflect any necessary adjustments.

City of York Council has launched a new service designed to send free air pollution alerts and health advice to residents and visitors most likely to be affected by air pollution. 

The York Air Quality Alert service is funded by DEFRA and aims to give advanced warning of when air pollution is expected to be higher than usual, up to 3 days ahead.

The service will provide clear and easy-to-read information about day-to-day pollution across the city. Anyone can sign up to these alerts by text, email or voicemail, and users can select alerts for different areas of the city, depending on where they live or work.

Air pollution levels often rise on hot, sunny days in summer, and on cold, still days in winter. Once these levels increase, they often remain high for 2 or 3 days; this a called a pollution episode. Pollution episodes in York are uncommon; but when they do occur, they can have a serious impact on people who suffer from respiratory or cardiovascular conditions like asthma, emphysema, bronchitis or heart disease.

Councillor Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency at City of York Council, said:

“This is a really simple and easy to use tool to help residents with health conditions affected by air pollution plan ahead and reduce exposure.

“We hope these forecasts will also raise awareness of air pollution across the city and encourage people to consider their air quality impact in helping to protect everyone’s health. Poor air quality is a contributory factor in 1 in 22 deaths in York. We can all improve this statistic; share a lift to work, work from home or walk, catch the bus or cycle, if possible, especially on days with high pollution. Solid fuel fires should also be avoided wherever possible.

“The new website will display maps outlining day-to-day air pollution levels. The alerts sent out will offer guidance on whether people are at risk from air pollution on a particular day and provide advice on how to stay healthy and aware.”

The new service is being introduced as part of York’s updated Air Quality Action Plan. The plan outlines actions that the council will take to raise awareness of air pollution and improve air quality in the city over the next 5 years. It aims to go beyond the current National Air Quality Objectives and work towards meeting the World Health Organisation Air Quality Guidelines.

The prevalence of Vibrio in seafood is expected to increase both globally and in Europe because of climate change according to EFSA’s scientists.

EFSA’s scientists have carried out an assessment of the public health aspects of Vibrio spp. related to the consumption of seafood and anticipated that the occurrence and levels of Vibrio in seafood will rise in response to coastal warming and extreme weather events.

Vibrios are waterborne bacteria that mainly live in marine coastal waters and brackish areas (where rivers meet the sea) and thrive in warm waters with moderate salinity. Some strains are pathogenic and can cause gastroenteritis or severe infections.

The bacterial group of Vibrio comprises several species that can cause Vibriosis. In the European Union, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, and Vibrio cholerae are the species of highest relevance for public health regarding seafood consumption. V. parahaemolyticus can cause gastroenteritis in healthy individuals, while V. vulnificus and V. cholerae non-O1/non-O139 can lead to severe infections, sepsis, and death in vulnerable individuals.

Due to an increase in extreme weather events, like heatwaves, over the past 20 years, Europe has seen a rise in Vibrio infections. Warmer coastal waters have led to an expansion of areas where Vibrio bacteria can multiply, resulting in a higher risk of infections from the consumption of contaminated seafood. Regions that are particularly at risk include those with brackish or low-salinity waters (e.g., the Baltic Sea, Baltic and North Sea transitional waters, and the Black Sea) as well as coastal areas with large-river inflows.

In EFSA’s assessment, experts anticipate that the occurrence and levels of Vibrio in seafood will increase globally and in Europe, especially in low-salinity/brackish waters, due to the effects of climate change, such as coastal warming and extreme weather events like heatwaves.

To prevent and control Vibrio in seafood, maintaining the cold chain during processing, transportation, and storage is crucial, particularly for seafood intended to be consumed raw. Possible measures to reduce Vibrio are high pressure processing, irradiation and (flash) freezing followed by long-term frozen storage. Depuration, which involves placing live molluscs in tanks with clean, circulating seawater to filter out microbes, is recommended under controlled conditions for live oyster consumption. Recommendations for consumers include ensuring proper handling and cooking of seafood, and avoiding consumption of raw or undercooked products, especially for vulnerable individuals.

Experts assessed 46 studies in 16 countries covering the 2000 to 2022 period. Vibrio parahaemolyticus was found in 20 percent of more than 10,600 tested seafood samples, with one in five positives containing pathogenic strains. Vibrio vulnificus was detected in around 6 percent of almost 3,000 seafood samples. The prevalence of Non-chlorogenic Vibrio cholera was estimated at 4 percent.

In the EU, 32 outbreaks caused by Vibrio in seafood were reported from 2010 to 2021, causing 221 cases, of which 57 were hospitalised. 75 Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) notifications covering Vibrio in seafood were reported between 2010 and January 2023. Only four were associated with food of EU origin.

Australia’s largest Vibrio parahaemolyticus outbreak in raw oysters in 2021 affected more than 250 people and led to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) requesting information from several countries, including those in the EU, about Vibrio in 2022.

In 2022, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) published a health risk assessment on the occurrence of Vibrio in food, which said that the consumption of raw or insufficiently cooked food products is one of the most critical factors for transmission.

Studies on Vibrio isolates found in seafood or from isolates causing foodborne infections in Europe detected resistance to several antimicrobials, including those of last resort.

Scientists said a priority for future research is establishing an EU-wide baseline survey for Vibrio in seafood products, including at the primary production and retail stages. They recommended developing a case definition for human vibriosis at the EU level and considering vibriosis for compulsory reporting.

A food business owner in Somerset has been ordered to pay more than £50,000 following a successful prosecution for failing to test chickens and eggs for salmonella before they went into the food chain following a joint investigation by Devon County Council trading standards service and the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Poultry farmer Stuart Perkins of SG Perkins Ltd, age 38 from Somerset, received the substantial fine at Bath Magistrates Court on Wednesday 3 July after pleading guilty to various offences under The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 and the Animal Health Act 1981 and was found to was also found to have presented birds for slaughter with either falsified documents or with documentation which did not relate to those particular birds.

The FSA, working with partners including Avon and Somerset police, Environmental Health and Trading Standards, executed a search warrant at the poultry farm and abattoir in November 2023 and found evidence of traceability concerns and that Perkins had falsified Salmonella testing certificates.  This meant birds had been slaughtered for the food chain without proof they were free from disease. 

The Animal and Plant Health Agency supported the investigations, monitoring the welfare of the poultry on site and collecting official Salmonella samples. 

The court heard that Perkins ran a farm producing boiler chickens and free-range eggs, with the chickens being processed at his abattoir across the road.

By law, farms producing eggs are required to conduct routine salmonella tests in their poultry sheds every 15 weeks during the laying period.

In addition, all birds must arrive at the slaughterhouse with the salmonella test result and the date the sample was taken.

But when the Egg Marketing Inspector visited the farm and requested salmonella reports, Perkins produced 16 reports dated back to August 2021, 13 of which had been falsified.

As part of the investigation, 43 documents showing that testing had been carried out on the chickens were also found to have been filled out by Perkins himself.

Perkins and his company, SG Perkins Limited was ordered to pay a total of £50,830.75.

This includes a fine of £5000 for each of the offences prosecuted by the Food Standards Agency (£20,000 total), and £3500 for each of the offences related to his business (total £7000).

Costs of £15472.75 were awarded to the FSA and costs of £6358 were awarded to Devon County Council (Trading Standards) and a victim surcharge of £2000.