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Douglas Booker

@douglasbooker.bsky.social
570 followers 622 following 231 posts

Lecturer in Indoor Air at the University of Leeds, researching all things air quality and environmental justice. Co-Founder & CEO of NAQTS | Regional Clean Air Champion in the UKRI Clean Air Programme. Views my own.

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Reposted by Douglas Booker
GO AQS @goaqs.bsky.social · 18h
GO IAQS Reaches Major Academic Milestone: Publication in Building and Environment We are thrilled to announce a pivotal milestone for the Global Open Indoor Air Quality Standards (GO IAQS): our foundational paper, titled “A unified framework for global indoor air quality: transitioning from…
goaqs.org
GO IAQS Reaches Major Academic Milestone: Publication in Building and Environment
We are thrilled to announce a pivotal milestone for the Global Open Indoor Air Quality Standards (GO IAQS): our foundational paper, titled “A unified framework for global indoor air quality: transitioning from guidelines to actionable open regulatory standards,” has officially been published in the prestigious journal Building and Environment (DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2026.115384). This landmark publication marks a critical step forward in our mission to revolutionize how indoor air quality (IAQ) is measured, regulated, and managed globally.
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Lewis @lgambrose.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
There's always money in the banana stand
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The Onion @theonion.com · 08/10/2026
From The Archive: DOJ To Bring Back Firing Squad As Means Of Entertainment
theonion.com
DOJ To Bring Back Firing Squad As Means Of Entertainment
WASHINGTON—In an effort to provide some joy to the nation and boost overall well-being, Justice Department officials announced plans Monday to bring back firing squads as a means of entertainment. “Fo...
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Folks watching the Brazilian elections nervously… The NE massively favours Lula and there are many votes still to be counted there
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Sometimes parody is the greatest way of explaining something. On the dangers for learning of unfettered and uncritical AI use in higher education.
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InfoWars @realinfowars.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
We've read 246 books this year with Z. This is revolutionary!
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Jack Stilgoe @jackstilgoe.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
This is how to do TV
bbc.co.uk
Esther Rantzen surprises Nicholas Winton with children he saved
One of her most memorable career moments came during one particular episode in 1988 - the footage of which has gone viral several times over in recent years.
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Dr Gary Fuller @drgaryfuller.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Last year’s air pollution conference at the RSC was a sell-out, so we are running it again in collaboration with DEFRA’s Air Quality Expert Group, with presentations and discussion focused on the group’s work on airports, amines and carbon capture and wildfires. www.rsc.org/events/find-...
rsc.org
Air Quality in the 21st Century
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Royal Society of Chemistry @rsc.org · 28/09/2026
Have new research to share? Present your work at the Indoor-outdoor continuum of aerosols Faraday Discussion in Birmingham, UK. Submit your oral abstract by 12 October 2026: rsc.li/aerosols-fd2027 #ChemSky
Conference banner for the Royal Society of Chemistry's Faraday Discussions. Text reads: "Indoor-outdoor continuum of aerosols, 28-30 June 2027, Birmingham, UK. Oral abstract deadline: 12 October 2026." A "Submit now" button is present. The background features colorful particles and a molecular structure design.
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Early start here. On my way to London to present at a Department of Education meeting on indoor air quality
A green Brompton bicycle leaning against a post at a train station
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Really enjoyed this book. I learned a lot more about a topic I already feel fairly clued up on. This is also going to do nothing to dissuade my partner’s colleagues from referring to me as the “Prince of Particles”
Doug holding up a copy of the book ‘Particles of Truth’ by Arden Pope and Douglas Dockery
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Jay Zedbee @jayzedbee.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Channel 4 reporter: Hello. I am Mr. Alias and this is my extremely suspicious comically large donation that i can only make in the form of a bag of money with a dollar sign on it. every other reform guy: seems legit! let me tell you every single way in which i and my boss have broken the law
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
I’ve had a wholesome long weekend camping. How was yours?
Me lying down reading a book in the dark with a border collie dog asleep on my shoulder
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Reposted by Douglas Booker
Rolling Stone @rollingstone.com · 25/08/2026
Dolly Parton's family asked that, in lieu of flowers, fans make a donation to the singer's Imagination Library. Here's what the charity does ⬇️ www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
rollingstone.com
Turning Pages: Inside Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Core team of 15 staff and thousands of volunteers and partners help the country-music philanthropist deliver books to kids around the world.
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Jana Bacevic 🌲🌳✊🏴 @unsocialtheory.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Just in case you missed the biopolitical import of "foreign-born UK citizens", that means *citizens of the UK*. The Nazi population policy is alive and well. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
Reform says it would put foreign-born UK citizens lower on social housing list
UK-born married couples under 35 with children would get priority under proposals to be outlined by Farage’s party
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Professor Prashant Kumar @profpkumar.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
🔥 Wildfire smoke is a growing global health challenge 🔥 Hot Off the Press: "Global wildfire emissions and health impacts" Read here: doi.org/10.1016/j.yn... Tackling wildfire smoke requires cross-disciplinary collaboration. @greenin.bsky.social @surreylib.bsky.social
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Bring out the three jorters! 🙇‍♂️
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
😂
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Reposted by Douglas Booker
Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
The figure shows that as air quality improves (PM2.5 reduces), mortality reduces. However, if you look closely you will see that the curve is even steeper at lower concentrations of PM2.5: this means that the more air quality improves, the greater its rate of potential benefits are! 🧵 6/6
Pooled Concentration–Response Curves.
Shown are the pooled concentration–response curves for the associations of 2-day moving average concentrations of PM10 (Panel A) and PM2.5 (Panel B) with daily all-cause mortality. The y axis represents the percentage difference from the pooled mean effect (as derived from the entire range of PM concentrations at each location) on mortality. Zero on the y axis represents the pooled mean effect, and the portion of the curve below zero denotes a smaller estimate than the mean effect. The dashed lines represent the air-quality guidelines or standards for 24-hour average concentrations of PM10 or PM2.5 according to the World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines (WHO AQG), WHO Interim Target 1 (IT-1), WHO Interim Target 2 (IT-2), WHO Interim Target 3 (IT-3), European Union Air Quality Directive (EU AQD), U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), and China Air Quality Standard (AQS).
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/kr2Mp...
youtube.com
Robert Smith with the most British reply ever.
YouTube video by Apocalyptix
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Reposted by Douglas Booker
Dr Gary Fuller @drgaryfuller.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
“When the air cleared, fewer patients filled the cardiac wards. This regional transition serves as a microcosm of what can be achieved globally through sustained emission reductions.” My latest for @theguardian.com on West Macedonia, Bradford, ULEZ and more. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
What happens to people’s health when air pollution is reduced?
Growing evidence that cutting coal use and bans on high-polluting vehicles are leading directly to health benefits
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
It's really great to see MORE clear evidence on the benefits of improving air quality. 🧵 1/6 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Children's stunted lungs show recovery in ultra low emission zone
Children's lung capacity caught up with their peers in less polluted areas once a clean air zone came in, a study shows.
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
The figure shows that as air quality improves (PM2.5 reduces), mortality reduces. However, if you look closely you will see that the curve is even steeper at lower concentrations of PM2.5: this means that the more air quality improves, the greater its rate of potential benefits are! 🧵 6/6
Pooled Concentration–Response Curves.
Shown are the pooled concentration–response curves for the associations of 2-day moving average concentrations of PM10 (Panel A) and PM2.5 (Panel B) with daily all-cause mortality. The y axis represents the percentage difference from the pooled mean effect (as derived from the entire range of PM concentrations at each location) on mortality. Zero on the y axis represents the pooled mean effect, and the portion of the curve below zero denotes a smaller estimate than the mean effect. The dashed lines represent the air-quality guidelines or standards for 24-hour average concentrations of PM10 or PM2.5 according to the World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines (WHO AQG), WHO Interim Target 1 (IT-1), WHO Interim Target 2 (IT-2), WHO Interim Target 3 (IT-3), European Union Air Quality Directive (EU AQD), U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), and China Air Quality Standard (AQS).
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
So you might reasonably ask, why still bother if the air quality is already much better than it used to be? This figure is an incredibly powerful argument as to why we should still be trying to improve air quality further (more info on next post!) Source: www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.... 🧵 5/6
Pooled Concentration–Response Curves.
Shown are the pooled concentration–response curves for the associations of 2-day moving average concentrations of PM10 (Panel A) and PM2.5 (Panel B) with daily all-cause mortality. The y axis represents the percentage difference from the pooled mean effect (as derived from the entire range of PM concentrations at each location) on mortality. Zero on the y axis represents the pooled mean effect, and the portion of the curve below zero denotes a smaller estimate than the mean effect. The dashed lines represent the air-quality guidelines or standards for 24-hour average concentrations of PM10 or PM2.5 according to the World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines (WHO AQG), WHO Interim Target 1 (IT-1), WHO Interim Target 2 (IT-2), WHO Interim Target 3 (IT-3), European Union Air Quality Directive (EU AQD), U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), and China Air Quality Standard (AQS).
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Things have —mostly— continued to improve over the past decade. However, the rate of improvement has slowed down as it has got harder to make improvements to air quality. Source: www.gov.uk/government/s... 🧵 4/6
Trends in annual emissions of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen oxides, ammonia, non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), and sulphur dioxide, 2014 - 2024. All of the lines are going down, but not as steeply as in the previous graph.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/emissions-of-air-pollutants/emissions-of-air-pollutants-in-the-uk-summary
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Air quality has improved substantially over the past 50 years. This graph shows the relative improvements in emissions reductions through policies such as the change from using coal to gas, and stricter emissions regulations for road transport. Source: www.gov.uk/government/s... 🧵 3/6
Trends in annual emissions of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen oxides, ammonia, non-methane volatile organic compounds, and sulphur dioxide, 1970 - 2024. The lines are all going down, albeit to different extents.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/emissions-of-air-pollutants/emissions-of-air-pollutants-in-the-uk-summary
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
We know that air pollution is associated with the onset of more than 700 health conditions: that is 80% of all registered health conditions! If you can think of a heath condition / disease / illness, air pollution is probably involved. Source: bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/2... 🧵 2/6
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
It's really great to see MORE clear evidence on the benefits of improving air quality. 🧵 1/6 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Children's stunted lungs show recovery in ultra low emission zone
Children's lung capacity caught up with their peers in less polluted areas once a clean air zone came in, a study shows.
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Queen Mary University of London @qmul.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Air pollution stunts children’s lung growth. New Queen Mary research found that improvements in air quality after the introduction of London’s ULEZ are associated with accelerated lung growth in children. Read more: shorturl.at/Jx86o
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Nick Graham @nickajgraham.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Jason Arday was subjected to a racially driven witch hunt. Far worse accusations or even confirmed cases of academic misconduct have received scant media attention. There should be an inquiry into media behaviour, bias and ethics. This can’t go unaccounted or happen again www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Jason Arday: Former Cambridge university professor found dead
His family said it was "in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son" after the academic was found dead in London on Friday.
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... 🫡
bbc.co.uk
We should smile at our dogs - a new scientific study reveals why
Scientists have worked out what is going on inside a dog's brain when it sees a human smiling or scowling.
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Julian Agyeman @julianagyeman.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Clean Air Clubs and Mask Blocs – a mutual aid practice for sharing masks – are offering free masks and air purifiers from their “lending libraries” to help their local communities stay safe from wildfire smoke and monitor air quality. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
How clean air clubs are protecting Americans from wildfire smoke
Mutual aid groups that started giving out PPEs during COVID are now loaning air purifiers and distributing masks to fume-addled communities
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Dr Gary Fuller @drgaryfuller.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Wildfires are everyone's problem. Global blazes already account for 10% of UK’s particle pollution – snd climate crisis could make this worse. My latest for @theguardian.com - research by @ceh.org & Uni of Edinburgh. Quote from @mparrington.bsky.social too. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Why Britain is breathing the world’s wildfire smoke
Scientists say global blazes account for 10% of UK’s particle pollution – and climate crisis could make the problem worse
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Stockholm Environment Institute @sei.org · 04/08/2026
🚀 CS Co-labs is launching! Using or considering #CitizenScience methods for research? Join us to discover CS Co-labs, offering "clinics', talks, topic discussions & resources. 📆 Wed 19 Aug 15:00-15:55 BST (UTC+01:00) 📆 Thurs 20 Aug 10:00-10:55 BST (UTC+01:00) 📍 Online Read more 👉️ buff.ly/YVPhWVB
buff.ly
CS Co-labs launch (online 1)
Join us for the launch of CS Co-labs to hear what is on offer, meet the team and network with others using or interested in citizen science methods.
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Veerender Singh Jubbal @veerenderjubbal.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Sam Altman
@sama •7h
cool use case of chatgpt work i heard last night:
connect your family calendars and explain your kids' interests.
every morning for the drive to school, have it make a podcast that talks about one kid's soccer game that afternoon, one kid's upcoming birthday, some news, etc.
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What if you just talked to your children
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
I hope reviewer 2 was kind…
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Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
"No UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership".
uefa.com
Statement on behalf of UEFA and its 55 national associations
UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions.
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By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C) @doctorow.pluralistic.net · 30/07/2026
With "surveillance pricing," businesses have finally found something AI can do way, way, *way* better than people: price gouging. 1/
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scare-cadus (is this anything) 🎃 @birdapp.rip · 29/07/2026
A scene from The Odyssey where Penelope stands before the suitors, but Tim Robinson has been added in. It’s a reference to I Think You Should Leave. Penelope says “Ronnie, I feel like you’re just here for the zip line” and Tim Robinson says “what?”
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
It hurts my heart that someone with the integrity of Arsène Wenger continues to be associated with FIFA, in spite of all their profiteering and corruption.
bbc.co.uk
Uefa World Cup boycott may be raised over Fifa's private investment plan
Uefa's 55 member associations will hold an emergency meeting this week to discuss Fifa's controversial proposals to sell stakes in its major competitions.
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Interesting study. Replacing gas stoves with electric seems like one of the low hanging fruit for making homes that are healthier for the people and the planet.
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Dr Gary Fuller @drgaryfuller.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
US study that was defunded by the Trump admin, found a 70% drop in hospital admissions & days off from work or school when people with poorly controlled asthma had their gas stove & hob replaced with electric. Research by MetroHealth and CWRU, Ohio. Piece by me www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Replacing gas stove can help asthmatics as much as some drugs, US experts find
Team in Ohio finds swapping to electric has ‘very large’ impact, despite study being scaled back by Trump cuts
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Sarah West @sarahwestsei.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
So excited to share that our book on Ethical and Equitable Citizen Science will be out early next year! It is a distillation of all the successes and mistakes we've made over the past 18 years, and we can't wait to share it. Grateful for @uoylibrary.bsky.social funds for it to be open access
A book cover with the title Ethical and Equitable Citizen Science; A Practical Guide for Designing Participant-centred Projects. Authors are Sarah West, Rachel Pateman, Rhys Archer and Luke Gooding. The cover colour is salmon pink and it has a big Gold Open Access sticker on it in the top right.
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
This Argentina hate watch is going to sustain me for tomorrow, notwithstanding my 6:30am train
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Scott Bryan @scottygb.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Wayne Rooney speaks for everyone.
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DougExeter @dougexeter.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
haha, thats a great post. unfortunately you phrased it in a way that allowed me, a moron, to misunderstand it
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 07/07/2026
"Aussie boys are on a bender! Donald Trump is a sex offender!"
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Everything Trump touches turns to shit
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Dr Gary Fuller @drgaryfuller.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
"Seventy years after the Clean Air Act, the lessons are clear. Disasters should not be required to trigger action. The Great Smog forced change. But policy should anticipate risk, not respond to tragedy." - Ian Williams on the Clean Air Act. theconversation.com/70-years-on-...
theconversation.com
70 years on from the killer smog: what clean air laws teach us about power, pollution and profit
Economic interests have shaped society’s response to pollution. Now, policy needs to align with the scientific evidence to clean up our air.
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Douglas Booker @douglasbooker.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Well that was worth staying up for. Not sure the nap before my 6:30am train is going to happen!
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