Researchers have developed an affordable, open-source air quality monitoring device for wildlife, tracking particulate matter and providing insights into smoke exposure and behavior. The device can be attached to animal collars, filling gaps in data and delivering health insights for people exposed to smoke.
Research from Colorado State University, the University of Minnesota and Purdue University finds that volatile organic compounds from household products and building materials are major urban pollutants in the summertime. The study reveals that these sources are not accurately included in current models used by cities and states to pre...
A new study by the European Respiratory Society found that regular walking reduces COPD symptom flare-ups regardless of air pollution levels. Walking 1000 steps per day reduced the likelihood of flare-ups by around 5%, and faster walking speeds increased the benefits.
Soil temperatures in Alaska's permafrost regions are rising at a rate of 0.64 degrees Celsius per decade, lagging behind air temperatures but still exhibiting 'polar amplification.' The study, published in Frontiers in Climate, reveals the relationship between air and soil temperatures in the state.
A nationwide study in Singapore found that short-term increases in fine-particle air pollution are associated with more asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related emergency department visits. The study analyzed 6.5 years of national air quality data and found a clear relationship between PM2.5 levels and admissions.
Researchers have discovered novel blood biomarkers, long-chain dicarboxylate acids (DCAs) and medium- to long-chain acyl-carnitines (ACs), in mouse and human blood samples exposed to air pollution. These biomarkers provide insights into how air pollution damages cell function and increases the risk of heart disease. The buildup of thes...
Researchers tested DIY Corsi-Rosenthal Boxes in university classes, showing a 61% reduction in particulate matter and minimal fan noise disruption. The low-cost, affordable alternative to commercial portable air purifiers can improve indoor air quality without disrupting the learning environment.
A new study found that air pollution exposure can increase the risk of bacterial pneumonia and meningitis, with certain bacterial strains responding differently to pollution exposure. The study suggests that improving air quality could lower disease risk, particularly for vulnerable populations such as older adults and young children.
A large study found that people exposed to higher levels of air pollution face a higher risk of developing glaucoma and cataract. The study suggests that fine particulate matter is a key contributor to these risks, and that reducing air pollution can help prevent these eye diseases.
A new study finds that large-scale weather patterns explain much of the year-to-year variation in northern India's winter air pollution, enabling seasonal forecasts to predict severe air pollution months in advance. This could provide authorities with valuable lead time to prepare and implement cost-effective controls.
Research found that after three hours of exposure to pollution, heart rate variability declines, indicating increasing physiological stress on the heart. The study suggests that individuals with cardiovascular conditions or those spending long periods outdoors should take note of air quality alerts.
Researchers found that scented cleaning products form nanoparticles in the air, which can travel deep into the lungs, posing respiratory risks. The particles are formed quickly, taking just minutes to form and grow, and can pose health risks even after cleaning is completed.
A landmark study of over 3,400 children found that London's Ultra Low Emission Zone improved lung growth and health, with lung capacity increasing by 10ml per year. The study suggests that clean air zones can benefit child development and should be considered a priority for cities globally.
North Americans breathed unhealthy air for nearly 106 million person-days as Ontario wildfires exposed people on both sides of the border. Canada's slow fire season intensified within weeks, with Toronto recording the poorest air quality in the world.
A new review by the University of East London found no direct evidence showing whether domestic gardens reduce pollution levels or improve household air quality. Despite covering vast areas of Britain's towns and cities, researchers discovered a huge gap in understanding the role of domestic gardens on air quality.
A European cohort study suggests that childhood exposure to air pollution at home and school increases the risk of metabolic syndrome. The study found stronger associations with metabolic syndrome risk at school than at home.
Exposure to even moderate levels of multiple air pollutants during critical stages of pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm birth. The study found that a mixture of ozone and fine particulate matter posed the strongest relationship to early preterm birth.
Research from the University of Reading shows that cutting air pollution globally can strengthen the Indian monsoon, increasing rainfall by 0.28 millimetres a day across the country. The study found that regional action alone can have the opposite effect, reducing rainfall in parts of India.
Clean air policies have improved public health but worsened urban heat islands in humid climates by limiting evaporative cooling and increasing solar radiation. In arid regions, this effect is weakened, highlighting the urgent need for region-specific adaptation strategies.
A large study suggests exposure to air pollution during sperm development can impact genes associated with sperm development, chromosomal organisation and cellular quality control. Researchers identified 39 DNA methylation changes linked to air pollution mixtures, including ozone and nitrogen dioxide.
Research examines air quality and respiratory health among children in communities surrounding the Salton Sea, finding that outdoor dust events significantly affect indoor air quality. Families describe daily challenges of protecting children from dust and pollution, which can impact school attendance and overall quality of life.
A UK study found that people most in danger from heat have the least access to air conditioning, with homes with older residents and single parent families using it the least. The research highlights a 'cooling divide' where those who need protection from heat are least able to get it.
A new study reveals gaps in wildfire smoke education among people living with COPD. Researchers found that many individuals rely on smartphone apps and online information for air quality updates, but lack knowledge on mitigation strategies and real-time guidance from healthcare teams.
Scientists created a shape-changing flying robot named Floaty that can fly efficiently while staying stable in the air. By adjusting its flaps to control air resistance, Floaty balances itself and recovers from disturbances.
Scientists at Tampere University identified a new chemical process that can influence the formation of air pollution particles in urban environments. Nitric oxide is found to promote the conversion of certain volatile compounds into aerosol precursors, challenging existing assumptions.
Researchers analyzed cloud and rainwater samples collected over 19 summers at Mount Washington, revealing that rainfall history impacts air pollution as much as wind direction. The study provides a valuable tool for meteorologists to improve predictions over complex terrains, with implications for waterways fed from the mountains.
A new study by Ellen Considine and Rachel Nethery shows that Indonesia's air pollution increased in 2018 and 2019 due to the diversion of plastic waste from China, which was previously a major import source. The team used satellite data to evaluate changes in fine particulate matter at 356 open dump sites in Indonesia.
China's air quality has shown significant improvement in 2025, with a decrease in PM2.5 and O3 concentrations compared to the 2022-2024 average. However, high-impact air pollution events such as severe pollution episodes, dust storms, and compound pollution events remain major challenges.
A study led by NTU Singapore found that land-use changes across Southeast Asia contribute to thousands of excess deaths annually due to worsening air quality. The estimated 13,000 excess deaths in 2018 were linked to forest degradation and deforestation, accounting for nearly 30% of the total deaths.
Common air pollutants can alter both brain and respiratory function within four hours of exposure, according to a new study. The source of the pollution matters more than its quantity, with different pollutant sources producing varied health effects even at identical concentrations.
Fine particles from traffic and industry are linked to worse cognitive function, memory and mental speed. Higher levels of air pollution also cause visible damage to the brain on MRI scans, particularly in women.
Research finds association between high air pollution and increased risk of post-surgical complications, including sepsis, pneumonia, and surgical wound infection. Higher levels of PM2.5 air pollution above EPA daily limits increase risk by 8%.
A new study published in Communications Sustainability reveals that investing in renewable energy yields more combined climate and public health benefits than direct air capture. The analysis models the health and climate benefit of cost-equivalent deployments of DAC, solar, and onshore wind across US grid regions from 2020 to 2050.
Global air pollution mortality rates decreased by 45% between 1990 and 2019, with 52% of the decrease attributed to reduced vulnerability, such as improved healthcare access and poverty reduction. Integrating healthcare improvements into air quality strategies is crucial for protecting vulnerable populations.
A review by an international team of researchers highlights that air monitoring is essential for global public health strategies, as airborne antibiotic resistance genes can spread silently between humans, animals, and the environment.
A new study predicts that nearly one in three Americans will experience poor air quality daily by 2100 due to climate change. This could lead to widespread health issues, particularly among sensitive populations like the elderly and those with asthma.
A new study finds that air pollution alerts issued in China's cities significantly reduce PM2.5 levels and prevent nearly 54,000 premature deaths over a five-year period. The alerts trigger short-term actions to limit pollution, resulting in a 30-40% reduction in acute mortality risk due to PM2.5.
The study found a significant reduction in NO2 levels, but limited effect on PM10 and PM2.5 particles within the LEZ. The results indicate that the zone contributes to improving air quality, highlighting the need for additional measures.
A new study found that climate action consistent with the two-degree-Celsius target would avoid more than 13.5 million premature deaths from air pollution between 2020 and 2050, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. However, the distribution of health gains depends on how the global mitigation burden is shared.
Researchers developed a bioinspired Janus air electrode with a fish-scale and waterspider-leg structure, enabling rapid substance transport and improving catalytic site utilization. The asymmetric architecture significantly enhances zinc-air battery performance, achieving high power density and specific capacity.
A study by the American Chemical Society found that small active dogs produce more airborne particles, while larger dogs release more microbes into the air. The research suggests that dogs can impact household air quality at a level similar to or more than humans, and highlights the importance of including pet emissions in ventilation ...
A new study reveals that air-conditioning use will more than double by 2050, causing up to 8.5 GtCO₂‑eq per year in the worst-case scenario. This is equivalent to around 74–183 billion transatlantic return flights and adds 0.03°C to 0.07°C of global warming.
A large cohort study found that air pollution exposure increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in individuals who have experienced a stroke. The study suggests that improving air quality could be an important way to prevent dementia and protect older adults.
A study by Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research found that particulate matter concentrations depend heavily on height above ground level. Drone measurements supplemented with standard data improved air quality models and strategies to combat air pollution.
A drone equipped with low-cost air quality sensors has revealed unexpectedly high concentrations of particulate matter at around 100 meters above ground level in Delhi. The findings suggest that current model simulations underestimate PM2.5 mass concentrations during morning haze episodes, highlighting the need for better mitigation st...
Researchers developed a photo-electroactive bifunctional catalyst integrating cobalt active sites, enhancing oxygen reduction and evolution reactions under light irradiation. The system achieved higher power output, improved energy efficiency, and long cycling stability in zinc-air batteries.
A new study from the University of Birmingham found that air frying fatty foods produces fewer VOCs and ultra-fine particles compared to other cooking methods. However, repeated use without cleaning can negate some benefits for indoor air quality.
A new study using satellite data confirms that California's shift to electric vehicles is making measurable differences in air quality and public health. For every 200 ZEVs added, nitrogen dioxide levels dropped 1.1%.
A Swedish study published in JAMA Neurology found that prolonged air pollution exposure is associated with a higher risk of developing motor neuron disease, including ALS. Long-term exposure to even low levels of air pollutants was linked to faster disease progression and increased mortality rates.
A study estimates that wildland fires release an average of 143 million tons of airborne organic compounds annually, 21% higher than earlier estimates. This increase poses complex air-quality challenges, particularly in regions such as Equatorial Asia and Northern Hemisphere Africa.
A new study by McGill University researchers found that fine particles in air pollution are associated with higher levels of a biomarker linked with autoimmune diseases. The findings add to mounting evidence that air pollution affects more than heart and lung health, potentially affecting the whole body.
Researchers aim to fill a gap in understanding human-induced climate change with an ERC-funded study. Velle Toll's project will use satellite data and machine learning to analyze the effect of air pollution particles on global warming.
A recent study by Cornell University found that NYC congestion pricing has led to significant air quality benefits, including a 22% reduction in particulate matter 2.5 micrometers in the Congestion Relief Zone, as well as declines across the city's five boroughs and surrounding suburbs.
New research by MIT researchers found that even with the same CO2 reduction, air travel causes about three times more damage to air quality than comparable electricity purchases. The study highlights the importance of considering co-pollutants and regional factors when evaluating climate actions.
A Northwestern University study found that airplane and hospital air mostly contain harmless microbes from human skin, with some potentially pathogenic species in extremely low abundance. The study used worn face masks as a passive tool to monitor indoor air, revealing the invisible world of microbes floating in our shared air.
Researchers found that sea salt particles interact with urban pollution, chemically reacting to form toxic compounds. After the COVID-19 lockdown, reduced pollution allowed more naturally occurring sea salt components to persist, offering potential implications for human health and climate.
A study conducted in Punjab, India, reveals a significant perception gap regarding air pollution from stubble burning. Residents are more likely to recognize severe air pollution in urban areas but underestimate its impact locally. Personal or familial health experiences play a crucial role in shaping awareness of the issue.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan develop an innovative airflow system that captures and removes exhaled aerosols, significantly reducing the probability of infection. The new device outperforms conventional ventilation systems, offering a comfortable and effective solution for indoor spaces.
A UVA-led team is part of a national project funded by ARPA-H to create an intelligent indoor air system that detects pathogens and responds with interventions. The BRAVE system aims to revolutionize public health by anticipating and mitigating outbreaks before they spread.
Researchers developed a distributed carbon nanofiber direct air capture filter that can turn every home, office, school or other building into a small carbon-capture system. The new filter is 92.1% efficient in removing carbon dioxide from the air, equivalent to taking 130 million cars off the road for a year.