Researchers found that evergreen trees with smaller leaves, particularly those with awl-shaped leaves like Yew and Japanese cedar, were most effective at catching particles of pollution. In contrast, the study showed that the size and shape of the leaf, rather than its roughness or hairiness, was key to removing pollutants.
A recent study has found a significant association between long-term exposure to UK air pollution and an increase in sedentary time. The research, published in the Journal of Public Health, suggests that high levels of air pollution may contribute to poorer health outcomes by encouraging sitting time indoors and discouraging active tim...
A comprehensive approach has been developed to create Hainan's own ambient air quality standards, tailored to the province's specific conditions. The new standards aim to reduce common pollutants and improve health outcomes, with estimates suggesting thousands of premature deaths could be prevented annually.
Researchers from Fordham University partnered with Bronx schools to collect real-time air quality data through a citizen science project. The study highlighted the disproportionate impact of pollution on low-income communities and inspired students to develop an interest in science.
A new study estimates that air pollution from fossil fuels accounts for 61% of global ambient air pollution deaths, corresponding to 82% of preventable deaths. Phasing out fossil fuels could save up to 5.1 million extra lives annually, with the greatest impact in South and East Asia.
A new study estimates that phasing out fossil fuels could save millions of lives by reducing air pollution-related mortality burden, with cardiometabolic conditions being the leading cause of death.
A randomized trial found that unfiltered traffic-related air pollution caused a rapid and significant increase in blood pressure, which persisted for more than 24 hours. The study suggests that effective cabin air filtration may reduce the negative effects of air pollution on blood pressure.
Researchers found that breathing unfiltered highway air significantly increases passengers' blood pressure during rush-hour traffic. The study's findings suggest a complex mechanism by which traffic-related air pollution interferes with blood pressure regulation.
A new study estimates that over 460,000 US deaths were attributed to air pollution from coal-burning power plants between 1999 and 2020. The findings highlight the increased mortality risks from coal electricity generation, while also showing that emission-reduction policies have been effective in preventing excess death.
A new study from Intermountain Health reveals that air pollution from wildfires and winter inversions poses different risks of heart attack and severe chest pain. Short-term increases in fine particulate matter were associated with increased risk of heart attack during the winter inversion season, but not summer wildfire season.
Yu Yang's NSF-funded research aims to reduce vehicle emissions and promote the use of electric bikes and scooters by developing socially informed traffic signal control systems. The project involves a three-pronged method that uses low-cost mobile air-quality sensing, spatial-temporal graph diffusion learning, and reinforcement learnin...
A new report highlights Africa's deteriorating air quality, with particulate matter concentration levels five to ten times the World Health Organisation's recommended level. The researchers call for collective efforts, regionally tailored solutions, and global collaboration to tackle this issue.
Research highlights short-term increases in fine particulate air pollution associated with increased health care visits for heart attacks and unstable chest pain. The risk for each cardiac event differs by season, with summer wildfires causing immediate hospitalization needs for chest pain but delayed action for heart attacks.
Existing UK air pollution regulations will reduce thousands of premature adult deaths, but have limited impact on protecting sensitive ecosystems. The study found that even with the most effective technically feasible measures, air pollution would still harm UK's natural habitats and ecosystems.
A new study by Emory and Harvard researchers found that high air pollution exposure during childhood is associated with earlier onset of menstruation in US girls. This increased risk is linked to cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers later in life.
A study using Google Street View cars found hyper-local air pollution hotspots in the Salt Lake Valley, revealing spatial variability and environmental justice issues. The research identified pollution emission sources off-road from traffic and industrial areas.
A meta-analysis published in Neurology found that short-term exposure to air pollution is linked to an increased risk of stroke and death from stroke. The study involved 110 studies with over 18 million cases of stroke.
A model has been developed to estimate the changes in air radiation dose rates caused by rainfall, enabling accurate quantification of long-term decreasing trend of air dose rates. The study found that increased soil moisture content provides enhanced radiation shielding effect, leading to post-rainfall decrease in air dose rates.
A new study by Northwestern University found that Chicago's West Side experiences significantly elevated nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air pollution compared to other areas. The study used three state-of-the-art datasets and consistently identified the West Side as a hotspot in both February and August, affecting approximately 501,000 people
A new study found that over 2 billion people are exposed to potentially health-impacting wildfire smoke each year, with a significant increase in exposure levels over the past decade. The study highlights the severity and scale of landscape fire-sourced air pollution and its impact on public health, particularly in low-income countries.
A new study confirms that roadside hedges can dramatically reduce air pollution around schools by soaking up ultrafine particles emitted by traffic. Hedges have been found to act as protective barriers, capturing and filtering out harmful particles.
Research found alterations in proteins that can affect autophagy, a self-eating process of damaged cells. Healthy newborns showed individual responses to prenatal exposure to air pollution, with some more vulnerable than others. The study aims to understand the impact on breathing problems during infancy and childhood.
A new study by University of Illinois economist David Molitor and colleagues found that air pollution via wildfire smoke increases suicide risk among rural populations in the US. Exposure to poor air quality leads to higher rates of suicide, particularly among rural white males and adults with no college education.
Researchers found a significant association between high particulate matter exposure and an 8% increase in breast cancer incidence among US women. The study, which considered historical air quality data, suggests that fine particulate matter may affect breast cancer through endocrine disruption.
Research found that women exposed to air pollution give birth to smaller babies, with PM2.5 and other pollutants associated with average reductions in birth weight. However, living in greener areas was linked to slightly higher birth weights, suggesting a potential mitigation effect.
Researchers used AI and mobility data to enhance air pollution models, improving accuracy by an average of 17.5% and identifying hotspots with high PM2.5 levels. This integrated approach can inform targeted health alerts and safety measures for areas with poor air quality.
Researchers analyzed satellite images to find that major festivities like Christmas, Ramadan, Chinese New Year, and Diwali vary night-time lighting intensity globally. Light pollution has serious consequences for living organisms and can be mitigated with planning and management measures.
A study led by Prof. Yinchang Feng finds that China's recent changes in air quality were primarily driven by emission reduction efforts, particularly the control of coal-related combustion emissions. However, the pace of PM2.5 reduction slowed down in some cities, and ozone pollution worsened in others.
Researchers from University of Michigan found a strong link between air pollution from wildfires and farming activities, and the risk of developing dementia. The study, which analyzed data from nearly 30,000 adults over 18 years, suggests that reducing exposure to these sources of emissions may help lower the incidence of dementia.
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study found that chronic exposure to fine particulate air pollutants (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) increases the risk of colorectal and prostate cancers in older adults. NO2 exposure was also associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, while PM2.5 exposure had mixed results.
A new study found consistent increases in premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) death and disability due to particulate matter air pollution globally. The analysis, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, revealed a 8.1% rise in age-standardized CVD deaths attributed to outdoor PM pollution between 1990 and 2019.
A new study suggests that controlling air pollution could reduce antibiotic resistance, which is responsible for 480,000 premature deaths annually. The analysis indicates a significant link between PM2.5 levels and antibiotic resistance globally.
A study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that chronic exposure to fine particulate air pollutants (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) may increase non-lung cancer risk in older adults, with significant associations with colorectal and prostate cancers.
A study led by ISGlobal found that moving to areas with higher levels of air pollution was associated with a small increase in body mass index in young children. The effect was stronger in preschool- and primary school children, and independent of socioeconomic status.
A new study identifies reducing ammonia emissions as a cost-effective measure to reduce fine particulate matter concentrations in Europe. Implementing effective measures in the agricultural sector could achieve significant pollution reductions, avoiding 100,000 premature deaths annually.
Researchers found that high levels of vitamin B-related amino acids, such as homocysteine and low methionine levels, increased the risk of dementia associated with particulate matter exposure. The study suggests a possible link among air pollution, amino acids, and dementia.
A new UMass Amherst study aims to develop a more robust understanding of the effects of ambient air pollution on women's reproductive health. The researcher will analyze data from 1,228 participants to identify mechanisms and susceptible reproductive processes across the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy.
A study found that exposure to air pollution increased the risk of contracting Covid-19, being hospitalized, and dying from the disease. Long-term exposure to pollutants even at levels below EU limits was associated with a higher burden on healthcare systems.
Researchers in China have developed a new theoretical framework to understand and predict air pollution, highlighting the complexity of coal combustion and vehicle exhaust interactions. The Air Pollution Complex is a holistic approach that considers multiple emission sources and chemical processes.
Researchers warn of growing adverse impacts of light pollution on plants, animals, and entire ecosystems. Light pollution causes habitat loss, disrupts food webs, and declines insect populations.
Researchers found both dryer types produce microfiber pollution, including water pollution from lint traps. Simple remedy is to clean lint filters and dispose of collected fibers as dry waste to reduce microfiber release.
Researchers propose integrating climate change mitigation and air pollution control for improved air quality in China. The study identifies significant synergies between reducing fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
Researchers discovered that air pollution particles trigger autophagy, a cellular defense process, which has an upper threshold and may reduce its effectiveness against other threats. This finding provides new insights into the link between air pollution and lung disease.
Researchers at UC Irvine found that exposure to traffic-related air pollution increased the risk of Alzheimer's disease in mouse models. The study showed that particulate matter impaired memory tasks and cognitive function, leading to brain plaque build-up and glial cell activation, key indicators of Alzheimer's disease.
A study found that air pollution, especially polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, increases neuroinflammation and worsens movement disorders in mice with ischemic strokes. This suggests that air pollution may be a contributing factor to decreased prognosis in stroke patients.
A new study found that air pollution from the oil and gas sector has substantial adverse impacts on air quality and human health, resulting in 7,500 excess deaths, 410,000 asthma attacks, and $77 billion in annual health costs. The pollutants nitrogen oxide, fine particulate matter, and ozone from U.S. oil and gas production were respo...
A new study suggests that increased exposure to air pollution may be associated with first hospital admissions for acute kidney injury. The research found a link between PM2.5, NO2, and O3 exposure and an increased risk of AKI, even at low annual exposures.
A large Chinese study found that acute air pollution exposure is associated with an increased risk of arrhythmia, with the strongest link seen in atrial flutter and supraventricular tachycardia. Exposure to pollutants like nitrogen dioxide was found to persist for up to 24 hours after initial exposure.
A recent study by the University of California, Davis found that coal trains and terminal operations significantly increase fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in urban areas, contributing to serious health problems. The study also highlighted the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations.
The Barcelona Supercomputing Center's new AI method combines CALIOPE-Urban predictions with urban data to provide accurate air quality maps and predict pollution limit exceedances. The study identifies the Eixample district as the worst-affected area in Barcelona, highlighting the need for effective policies to improve air quality.
A recent MIT study finds that shutting down nuclear power could significantly increase air pollution, with up to 5,200 premature deaths estimated. The study reveals that fossil fuel sources would fill the gap, leading to increased health risks, especially for Black or African American communities.
A study led by ISGlobal found that exposure to air pollution before the pandemic was associated with lower antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccines, particularly in uninfected individuals. The study measured IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies in participants exposed to fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and black carbon.
Research finds exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution is associated with a heightened risk of dementia, with a 4% increase in risk for every 2 micrograms per cubic metre increase in average annual PM2.5 concentration. Nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxide exposure also show a small increased risk.
The University of Liverpool has signed a 5-year agreement with the Mama Doing Good Foundation, Kenya Medical Research Institute, and other partners to reduce household air pollution in Kenya. The partnership aims to train 130,000 Kenyan community health workers to prevent household air pollution and improve community health.
A study led by University of Houston researchers found that the Texas Gulf Coast is polluted with high concentrations of sulfate, a major component of particulate matter. The pollution originates from anthropogenic shipping emissions and chemical processing, making it particularly hazardous to human health.
A new high-resolution simulation shows different pollutants accumulate along highways and over Lake Michigan, affecting communities in distinct ways. The study provides a detailed, neighborhood-by-neighborhood estimate of air pollution, highlighting areas that need targeted solutions to address poor air quality.
A new study found that stronger air pollution rules would lower premature death risks for all Americans, but particularly those from marginalized communities. Lowering PM2.5 levels to 8 μg/m3 could reduce mortality rates by 4% for White higher-income adults and up to 7% for Black higher-income and low-income adults.
A new study found that droughts and heatwaves exacerbate air pollution inequalities in California, particularly for communities of color. Financial penalties for power plants can significantly reduce people's exposure to pollution, except during severe heat waves.
A new study by Monash University found that almost nowhere on Earth is safe from air pollution, with only 0.001% of the global population exposed to safe levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The study, which analyzed data from 2000-2019, revealed increasing pollution levels in Southern Asia, Australia, and Latin America.
A study by University of Gothenburg found that conifer trees are generally better at purifying air from gaseous pollutants, while broadleaved trees excel at capturing particle-bound pollution. The researchers analyzed leaves and needles from eleven different tree species to determine which ones absorb air pollutants most effectively.