In a new paper, Global emissions of VOCs from compressed aerosol products, authors Yeoman and Lewis argue:
“... in the UK, 6.1% of anthropogenic VOC emissions were from aerosols in 2017, more than were released from gasoline passenger cars. Should low- and middle-income economies grow consumption per capita in line with recent trends, then we project global aerosol consumption may reach approximately 4.4 ± 0.96 × 1010 units year–1 in 2050. Should existing national and international policies on aerosol product formulation remain unchanged, and VOCs remain the dominant propellant, compressed aerosols could account for a global emission of approximately 2.2 ± 0.48 Tg year–1 in 2050.”
“… for very many personal care and household cleaning products, a clear solution would be product de-aerosolization.”
In the news this month, could a creative new recycling scheme in Cardiff inspire others around the country to raise money for charity? Cardiff Rivers Group (CRG) is collecting spent nitrous oxide canisters and will recycle every 300kg they collect with their local European Metal Recycling depot. The money raised will help fund CRG's ongoing clean-ups and other charities' work in the city. Read the full story here.
And a new exhibition from Gilbert & George opens to the public with the use of nitrous oxide gas featuring in Ballooning (2020). Read more about the exhibition here.
Other news headlines this month include:-
UK
Shocking moment newlywed hit-and-run killer ‘inhales laughing gas’ minutes before killing dad-of-two: CCTV footage captured him sucking on a balloon thought to contain nitrous oxide as he drove a pick-up truck just before hitting a restaurant owner.
Teen mowed down pensioner waiting for cab outside working men's club: Judge Paul Glenn said: "You had consumed a canister of nitrous oxide. That often results in short-lived feelings of euphoria.
Gas sniffing woman sparks evacuation emergency at Greenock flats: [She] risked blowing herself and her neighbours up by trying to light a cigarette whilst sniffing fumes — with at least 70 butane canisters strewn around her.
Man holds up Lincoln trains for 45 minutes after stealing from Poundland and wandering onto the railway tracks: Lincoln Crown Court heard how [he] took two canisters of the gas from behind the counter of the Poundland store in High Street in Lincoln, before barging a member of staff out of the way before leaving without paying.
Man accused of driving under influence of butane and tramadol fails to attend court: Prosecution claimed during defendant made admissions to having inhaled aerosols and when asked if the substances in his system could have impaired his driving replied: 'Nah'.
Not laughing now: Thieves jailed for stealing nitrous oxide from hospital: Two men have been jailed for stealing canisters of nitrous oxide from a hospital in Norfolk.
Laughing gas or balloons seized by police in Caldicot: Police seized a number of nitrous oxide canisters as well as cannabis in Gwent over the weekend.
Blackburn litter-pickers clear up hundreds of 'laughing gas' canisters: Members of the Keep Blackburn Tidy group asked for support when they were left unable to recycle the metal canisters at their usual point.
Underage sales of nitrous oxide to be targeted in police crackdown: Neighbourhood police say they have found 'laughing gas' bottles in increasing number of locations across city.
Fake fags shame for Bolton's corner shops: ... In some cases, canisters of nitrous oxide or laughing gas, believed to be on sale for recreational drug use were also confiscated.
Other stories concerned with nitrous oxide use and related antisocial behaviour came from Dorset, Dunfermline, Essex, Leicestershire, Merseyside, and Warwickshire.
IRELAND
Concerns over 11-year-old children using nitrous oxide canisters: There is serious concern as children as young as 11 years old are using nitrous oxide canisters for a temporary high.
Councillor reiterates call for action on ‘silver bullets’ nitrous oxide use: A South Dublin councillor is reiterating his call for more action to be taken on the use of nitrous oxide in local communities as he says it “continues to plight our communities.”
FRANCE
Teenager dies after inhaling his deodorant: In the Doubs region of France, a 15-year-old was found dead on 11 April in his bedroom with a bottle of deodorant in his hand.
NETHERLANDS
Mayor wants to introduce an alcohol ban for Amsterdam parks: The mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, is looking to introduce an alcohol and laughing gas ban for parks in the Dutch capital, in the hopes that this will prevent parks from having to be closed to the public.
Amsterdam lawmakers vote to restrict sale of laughing gas: A majority of politicians in the Amsterdam city council have voiced their support for a ban on the sale of laughing gas by catering and hospitality businesses, and also at events.
USA
Man arrested on suspicion of inhaling balloon full of nitrous oxide while in car (CA): A man was arrested on suspicion of inhaling a balloon full of nitrous oxide while driving in his car in Canyon Country.
Police arrest Santa Rosa man after butane explosion rips through parking lot: Police said during their investigation they learned [he] bought several packs of butane canisters and mishandled them, causing the explosion inside his vehicle.
SINGAPORE
Kids of convicted offenders: Charity programmes help them break cycle of crime: Risa (not her real name) started sniffing glue when she was 13 to find out "what was so great about drugs" that it consumed her mother's life.
