Articles tagged with Air Pollution
A study led by St. Michael's Hospital found that living in walkable neighborhoods can have diminishing health benefits due to increased exposure to traffic-related air pollution. The research, based on nearly 2.5 million adults from Ontario municipalities, challenges the idea that walkability always improves overall health and well-being.
A large-scale study found that high levels of air pollution negatively affect ovarian reserve and female fertility marker anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels in Italian women. Exposure to particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide increased the risk of reduced AMH concentrations, leading to a lower ovarian reserve.
A study of 5,531 adults in peri-urban villages near Hyderabad found that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) increased hypertension prevalence by 4% in women, with significant associations with systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
A new study using a rat model with high blood pressure found that air pollution-like irritants alter the defensive heart-lung reflex, leading to increased heart rates and abnormal rhythms. The research suggests that chronic hypertension may remodel airway sensory nerves controlling this reflex.
Research reveals that urban pollution from Manaus significantly impacts cloud production and rainfall in the Amazon, with far-reaching consequences for regional and global climate patterns. The study found an average increase of 200% in secondary organic aerosols, leading to a 400% boost in aerosol formation.
A study published in Environment International found that exposure to airborne metal pollution is associated with an increased risk of mortality. The research used moss samples to estimate human exposure to metal particles and found that participants exposed to higher concentrations of anthropogenic metals had a higher risk of death.
A new study found that even short stays in polluted cities can cause significant breathing problems and coughing in healthy adults, which can take at least a week to recover from. The research team analyzed lung and heart health in travelers visiting highly polluted cities like India and China.
Exposure to fine particulate matter during pregnancy impairs fetal development, leading to smaller organs and metabolic disorders in adulthood. The study highlights the importance of reducing prenatal air pollution exposure to prevent long-term health consequences.
A new study found that exposure to particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 μm during pregnancy and childhood is associated with reduced fundamental cognitive abilities, such as working memory and executive attention in boys. The study included 2,221 children between 7 and 10 years old attending schools in Barcelona.
A new study by an international team of scientists identified a significant increase in CFC-11 emissions in eastern China since 2013, posing a threat to the recovery of the stratospheric ozone layer. The findings suggest that new production of CFC-11 has taken place in the region, primarily for building insulation and refrigerators.
Researchers found significant increases in myo-inositol levels and generalized anxiety symptoms among children exposed to traffic-related air pollution. The study suggests a partial link between high TRAP exposure and increased anxiety, highlighting the potential impact on population health.
Researchers found that high levels of PM10 reduced average tree growth by up to 37% and varied interannually with pollution levels during driest months. Trees exposed to higher levels of pollution grew less in trunk diameter development throughout their lives.
Researchers from NYU Tandon School of Engineering have developed models to assess pollution exposures at the neighborhood level, but propose advancing to individual-level assessments using data from environmental sensors, mobile, and wearable devices. This could provide evidence-based arguments for change, particularly impacting indivi...
A North Carolina State University study finds that compressed wood pellet-fed stoves reduce air pollution by about 90% for a range of contaminants associated with health problems and climate change. The stoves performed well in real-world conditions, with drastic cuts in pollutant emissions.
China's regional pollution policies are causing unintended spillover effects, increasing air and water pollution in neighboring provinces. The models project a significant increase in pollutants, carbon dioxide emissions, and water consumption outside the capital cities.
A study by ISGlobal found that particulate matter exposure takes away 125,000 years of healthy life from European children each year. Air pollution is the leading cause of disease burden, followed by passive tobacco smoke.
A study by UC Berkeley scientists found that falling levels of air pollution are causing the decline in California's tule fog, which may help improve traffic safety in the region. The researchers analyzed data from 1930 to 2016 and found a strong correlation between air pollutant emissions and fog frequency.
A US study estimates that location-specific air pollution damages result in nearly 107,000 premature deaths annually, with a societal cost of $886 billion, highlighting the need for location-specific emissions mitigation efforts.
Young children who live close to a major roadway are twice as likely to score lower on tests of communications skills. Children born to women exposed during pregnancy to higher-than-normal levels of traffic-related pollutants have a small but significantly higher likelihood of developmental delays.
A study analyzing air samples from the Amazon rainforest and polluted areas found that human activity increases the production of climate-changing particles by 60-200% compared to natural forest carbon. The researchers developed an advanced computer model to simulate chemical reactions, improving predictive abilities.
A recent study suggests that rapidly phasing out air pollution emissions can prevent approximately 3.6 million avoidable deaths each year, while also increasing rainfall in drought-prone regions and limiting global warming. The researchers found that removing fossil fuel-related and all anthropogenic emissions could achieve the 2°C tar...
Research in mice found that exposure to particulate matter led to deterioration of testicular function and changes in gene expression related to sperm production. The study's findings suggest that air pollution may be a contributing factor to the increasing rates of male infertility worldwide.
A joint study by King's College London and Airparif found that air pollution in both cities has improved since 2010, but not enough to meet legal limits. Newer diesel cars and buses have led to declines in particle pollution, while nitrogen dioxide levels from traffic in London have deteriorated.
Air pollution exposure varies significantly among racial-ethnic groups in the US, with blacks and Hispanics facing higher levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) than their individual contributions to total PM2.5 exposure. Consumption patterns also play a crucial role in determining these disparities.
A study by Stockholm University reveals that biomass burning from neighboring regions exceeds fossil fuel emissions in New Delhi during the fall and winter. The researchers found high levels of black carbon aerosols in the city, posing a significant threat to human health.
A recent study found that short-term wood burning in small-scale room heaters and sauna stoves significantly increased residents' daily exposure to particulate air pollution. The study highlights the importance of natural ventilation in reducing indoor levels of hazardous particles.
Research from Duke University and National University of Singapore reveals pre-natal exposure to forest fire haze leads to a 1.3-inch decrease in expected height at age 17, resulting in long-term human capital losses and permanent stunting effects on children's growth.
Exposure to air pollution at school is linked to a higher risk of childhood obesity and overweight. The study found that children exposed to medium or high levels of air pollution had a higher risk of obesity and overweight compared to those with lower exposure.
A new study reveals that wildfires can affect plant growth hundreds of kilometers away from the impact zone, reducing productivity in areas far from the blaze. This finding suggests that fire pollution could pose an increasing threat to global productivity in a warming world.
A comprehensive review of air pollution effects in children reveals adverse birth outcomes, cognitive and behavioral problems, asthma incidence, and potentially childhood cancer. The study estimates that over 40% of environmental disease burden is borne by children under five.
A new study finds that British children with intellectual disabilities are more likely to live in areas with high outdoor air pollution, such as diesel particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide. This increased exposure may impede cognitive development and contribute to the higher risk of intellectual disability.
Research suggests that reducing nitrogen dioxide pollution in Copenhagen could increase average lifespan by an entire year and lead to improved quality of life. The study found that by 2040, the number of men suffering from cardiovascular diseases could be reduced by 680 per 100,000 men.
The nationwide average exposure to PM2.5 in China decreased significantly between 2005 and 2015, mainly attributed to declining household solid fuel use. Researchers estimate that replacing all remaining household solid fuels with clean energy sources could prevent an additional half-million premature deaths per year.
A study of nearly all births in Vancouver found that air pollution exposure, particularly nitric oxide, was associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder. The findings suggest environmental contaminants and air pollution may be potential risk factors for ASD.
A multicity study found exposure to ground-level ozone and nitrogen oxides increases ED visits for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The study analyzed associations between cardiorespiratory ED visits and twelve major air pollutants across five US cities.
A Monash University study found a strong link between air pollution and the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. Exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) from vehicle exhausts, industrial emissions, and other sources increased the risk of ASD by up to 78%. The study adds to previous research on prenatal air pollution ex...
Researchers in South India measured personal exposure to fine particulate matter using a combination of techniques, finding significant differences between men and women. Men showed higher levels of personal exposure throughout the day, while women's exposures were related to cooking and industrial activities.
A comprehensive study by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute found that air pollution and transportation noise significantly increase the risk of heart attacks. The study reveals that considering both factors together reduces the estimated effect of air pollution on cardiovascular health.
A study found associations between air pollution and dementia diagnoses in London patients, with higher NO2 and PM2.5 levels linked to a 40% increased risk of dementia. The study's findings suggest that traffic-related air pollution may contribute to neurodegeneration, particularly for Alzheimer's disease.
A new study found that children who have access to green spaces near their homes are less likely to experience respiratory problems as adults. The research, conducted by RHINESSA, analyzed data from over 5,400 participants and found a significant association between exposure to greenness and reduced respiratory symptoms.
A new study found that children carrying the ε4 variant of the APOE gene may experience adverse effects from traffic-related air pollution, including higher behaviour problem scores and slower attention capacity. The findings suggest that this genetic variant could exacerbate air pollution's impact on neurodevelopment.
A new study finds that alpine ecosystems take decades to recover from high levels of nitrogen air pollution, with soil acidification and biodiversity lingering long after emission rates decrease. Researchers used a 12-year field experiment to test the extent to which ecosystems can reverse the effects of nitrogen deposition.
Asthma patients with specific genetic profiles exhibit more intense symptoms following traffic pollution exposure. The study suggests that tailoring treatments to individual gene-environment interactions could enhance quality of life for people with asthma.
A study found that air pollution exposure was associated with decreased cognitive test scores, particularly in verbal abilities. Reducing fine particulate matter concentrations could lead to significant improvements in cognitive performance, equivalent to a shift from median to 63rd percentile scores.
A new study published in PLOS ONE suggests that polluted air may be a threat to your kidneys, increasing the risk of chronic kidney disease. Air pollution contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can cause serious health effects when inhaled regularly.
A study published in European Heart Journal reveals that air pollution is a significant contributor to cardiovascular diseases, with particulate matter playing a key role. The review article highlights the importance of reducing emissions from traffic, industry, and agriculture to mitigate the negative effects on vascular function.
A study of 30,000 pregnant women across nine European cities found associations between socio-economic status and exposure to environmental hazards such as air pollution, noise, and lack of green spaces. The findings highlight the need for urban planners to address environmental inequalities to reduce health disparities in pregnancy.
A study by University of California, Berkeley economists found that air pollution emissions from US manufacturing fell by 60% between 1990 and 2008 due to stricter environmental regulations. The researchers analyzed data on over 1,400 products and found that changes in production technologies were the primary driver of these decreases.
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals a previously unknown sulfur isotope effect that helps identify sources of air pollution in China. The researchers used sulfur isotopes to analyze coal and air samples, finding a connection between biomass burning and aerosol formation.
Researchers found that even low levels of air pollution can cause significant changes in the structure of the heart, similar to those seen in early stages of heart failure. The study, which included over 4,000 participants, linked higher exposures to pollutants like PM2.5 and NO2 to larger ventricles and more pronounced remodelling.
A new study led by Professor Sung-Deuk Choi found that Ulsan, South Korea, is affected by toxic substances in fine dust particles throughout the year. The study analyzed PAHs concentrations in air samples and showed that even in summer, when fine dust concentration is lowest, PAHs remain present.
Recent studies suggest a potential relationship between air pollution and infertility, menstrual irregularity, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. Researchers emphasize the need for further exploration of these findings to support policy guidelines on air pollution and human health.
The study reveals that MOTs prevent 133 deaths, nearly 12,000 injuries, and at least 17,700 traffic accidents a year. Additionally, MOTs reduce exposure to atmospheric pollutants, resulting in around 406 premature deaths prevented every year.
A review of Asian transport microenvironments found pedestrians exposed to up to 1.6 times higher fine particle levels than in European cities, while car drivers face nine times more pollution. The study highlights a significant gap in research on rural and semi-rural city exposure to air pollution.
A new study finds that air pollution contributes significantly to diabetes worldwide, with even low levels posing a health risk. The researchers estimated that pollution contributed to 3.2 million new diabetes cases globally in 2016, representing about 14% of all new cases.
A new study published in Epidemiology found no association between exposure to air pollution and increased risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children aged 3-10 years. The study included data from nearly 30,000 children across seven European countries.
A new study by Lund University suggests that removing exhaust fumes from a smaller European city could prevent 55-93 premature deaths and reduce cases of childhood asthma, bronchitis, and dementia. The study found that even below EU air pollution levels, negative health effects exist.
Researchers at Lobachevsky University discovered hormesis and paradoxical effects in plants under formaldehyde exposure, affecting growth and biochemical indicators. This study contributes to improving environmental assessment methods using plant parameters.
Studies found that retiring eight fossil fuel power plants in California resulted in a significant drop of 20-25% in preterm birth rates, particularly among non-Hispanic African-American and Asian women. The researchers also observed an increase in fertility rates in the surrounding areas.
A study found that adhering to a Mediterranean diet can blunt the association between long-term exposure to air pollution and increased risk of deaths from all causes, cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular diseases. However, adherence did not protect against ozone's harmful effects on cardiac health.