Articles tagged with Air Pollution
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A new study found that children exposed to high levels of outdoor particulate air pollution during pregnancy and high maternal stress were more likely to develop asthma by age six. Boys were particularly affected, possibly due to slower lung maturation and increased risk of oxidative stress.
During heat waves, urban trees can significantly increase air pollution levels and the formation of ozone. Researchers found that VOCs from plants contribute to about 6-20% of ozone formation in cities, but this contribution spikes to up to 60% during heat wave periods.
Surface ozone and anthropogenic aerosol haze pollution in China decrease the regional net primary productivity (NPP) by 9-16% of total NPP, accounting for 16-32% of total anthropogenic carbon emissions. Aerosol direct effects enhance annual NPP by 0.2 Pg C.
A University of Washington study reveals that during large climate swings, oxidants shift in a different direction than expected, leading to changes in ozone and greenhouse gas levels. Researchers propose two possible explanations: a change in atmospheric circulation patterns and chemical reactions with halogens.
Researchers developed a process that purifies polluted air while generating power as hydrogen gas, which can be stored and used as fuel. The device uses specific nanomaterials and is triggered by sunlight, offering a promising solution for clean air and alternative energy production.
A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology shows that air conditioning increases air pollution by hundreds to thousands of metric tons, particularly sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide, with a 3-4% increase per degree Celsius rise in temperature
Researchers tracked gold nanoparticles after inhalation, finding they accumulated at inflamed vascular sites and preferredentially reached susceptible areas of the cardiovascular system. This suggests that nanoparticles could increase the likelihood of heart attacks or strokes in individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.
Research suggests that high levels of traffic-related air pollution can lead to lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, also known as "good" cholesterol. This can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by reducing the number and functionality of HDL particles.
A large US study found that living in areas with high fine particle air pollution may increase the chance of dense breasts, a well-established breast cancer risk factor. Women with dense breasts were more likely exposed to high PM2.5 levels.
Researchers found that snow absorbs certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from car emissions, increasing toxic pollutant levels in the environment. The study highlights the need for further research to reduce premature deaths caused by mild air pollution in North America.
A study published in Nature found that air pollution mortality is disproportionately felt by people living near producing regions, often far from where goods are consumed. The researchers estimated that 22% of fine-particulate-matter air pollution deaths were related to goods produced elsewhere.
A study by University of California, Irvine researchers finds that global manufacturing and trade significantly increase health risks for people in regions far from producing factories, with 22% of air pollution-related deaths associated with goods produced elsewhere.
A new study found that global climate change is linked to severe winter haze in eastern China, with Arctic sea ice loss and extensive snow contributing to poor ventilation conditions. The 2013 'airpocalypse' event was exacerbated by these factors, highlighting the need for stringent emission reductions to mitigate future haze events.
Researchers found infants in prams are exposed to higher levels of fine and ultrafine particulate matter during the morning drop-in hours compared to the afternoon drop-off hours. Bus stops and traffic lights pose significant risks to young children's health due to high concentrations of pollutants.
Excess emissions from Volkswagen's diesel cars sold between 2008 and 2015 will cause approximately 1,200 premature deaths across Europe. The countries hardest hit include Germany, Poland, France, and the Czech Republic.
Research discovered that black carbon alters bacteria's ability to survive and combat antibiotics, increasing the risk of infection. The study also found that air pollution can change the way bacteria behave and cause disease.
A new study suggests that air pollution can dissolve iron particles in airborne particles, increasing the amount of greenhouse gases that the world's oceans can absorb. Scientists have found thick sulphate coatings containing soluble iron on iron-rich particles from steel manufacturing and coal burning in the East China Sea.
A study by academics at the University of East Anglia suggests that insights from behavioral science can help design road signs to encourage drivers to switch off their engines while waiting at railway crossings. Researchers found that simple visual and written cues doubled the rate of people turning off their engines, with a more effe...
USC-led study finds that older women living in areas with high PM2.5 levels are 81% more at risk for global cognitive decline and 92% more likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Exposure to air pollution particles may accelerate brain aging and promote Alzheimer's disease.
Research reveals companies strategically locating facilities near downwind state borders to avoid 'not-in-my-backyard' opposition, while also sharing air pollution costs with neighboring states. The study finds a significant trend of large polluters being more likely to locate near downwind state borders.
A clinical trial in Nigeria replaced biomass and kerosene cookstoves with ethanol stoves, reducing the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease in pregnant women. The study found a significant decrease in high blood pressure among women who cooked with ethanol, with risks reduced by 97% compared to those using traditional...
A study of over 16,000 patients found air pollution reduces pulmonary vascular function and increases risk of decompensated heart failure. Limiting physical activity in heavily polluted areas is recommended.
A study by Tohoku University found that air pollutants cause hypersensitivity to itch, leading to skin inflammation and allergic diseases like asthma. The research team discovered that AhR, a transcription factor activated by air pollutants, causes itchy sensations through the expression of neurotrophic factor artemin.
Scientific cooperation on environmental pollution played a key role in easing Cold War tensions in the 1970s. Norway's lead on acid rain monitoring led to limited technological cooperation with the Eastern Bloc, paving the way for political relationships at the United Nations.
Research from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reveals that regions close to the equator are contributing more to the total global ozone increase due to their proximity to intense sunlight and heat. The study suggests that strategic policy planning is needed to address this issue.
A UBC study recommends cyclists ride at 12-20 km/h and pedestrians walk at 2-6 km/h to reduce air pollution inhalation. The ideal travel speeds, or minimum-dose speeds, vary by age and sex group, with faster speeds increasing pollution risk.
Research found that exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution is associated with abnormal changes in the blood, including increased micro-particles indicating cell injury and death, and proteins that inhibit blood vessel growth. This suggests that living in a polluted environment could promote the development of high blood pres...
Leading health professionals call for drastic reductions in CO2 and short-lived climate pollutants to stabilize the climate and reduce major health threats. Reducing these pollutants can prevent up to 2.4 million premature deaths annually, they argue.
Exposure to air pollution at home increases the risk of developing insulin resistance, a pre-diabetic state of type 2 diabetes. The study analyzed data from nearly 3,000 participants and found that people with impaired glucose metabolism are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.
Researchers found that international trade shifts climate impact from consuming to producing regions in East Asia. Aerosols emitted through industrial production or fossil-fuel burning contribute to climate change, with stronger forcing in producing than consuming countries.
Researchers found that certain essential oil compounds reduce inflammation in human cells damaged by fine particle air pollutants. The compounds, including trans-anethole and eugenol, decreased cytokine levels by up to 96%.
A study found that carbon-finance-approved cookstoves had only moderately lower indoor concentrations of pollutants compared to traditional stoves. The improvements were less than anticipated, with some families even continuing to use traditional stoves due to their preference for certain dishes.
The Atmospheric Tomography (ATom) mission surveys the atmosphere over oceans for the first time, measuring pollutants and climate gases. The DC-8 aircraft will document interactions between air masses, understanding where pollutants originate and how quickly they react chemically.
As air pollution increases, hydrocarbon molecules break down, confusing bees and increasing foraging time. This affects not only generalist but also specialist bees, impacting pollination and ecosystem balance.
A study found that regions in China with high levels of fine particulate air pollution have elevated rates of membranous nephropathy, an immune disorder of the kidneys. The likelihood of developing membranous nephropathy increased by 13% annually over 11 years.
A new study led by the University of Colorado Boulder found that global ethane emissions are increasing again after a steady decline between 1970 and 2005. The majority of the increase is attributed to North American oil and gas activity, which has reversed the emission controls implemented in the past.
Long-term exposure to household air pollution from fuels like kerosene, diesel, or natural gas may increase the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular death. Burning cleaner fuels, such as natural gas, is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular deaths, according to new research.
A new study published in The Lancet Neurology reveals that air pollution is a major contributor to stroke worldwide, accounting for nearly a third of the global burden. Modifiable risk factors such as smoking, poor diet, and low physical activity are also significant causes of stroke.
A new study from Umeå University in Sweden suggests that exposure to air pollution is associated with an increased risk of psychiatric diagnoses in children and adolescents. The research found a 9% increase in medication for at least one psychiatric diagnosis with a 10 microgram per cubic meter increase in nitrogen dioxide concentration.
A new study found that air pollution exposure can worsen blood sugar levels, cholesterol and other risk factors for heart disease. Participants with diabetes experienced higher changes in blood glucose and cholesterol levels when exposed to higher levels of particulate matter.
A systematic review of research published up to 2015 found an association between exposure to air pollution and a heightened risk of stillbirth. Specifically, small particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide were linked to a 2% increased risk of stillbirth.
A new study by Georgia Tech researchers shows that air pollution from East Asia has a devastating impact on oxygen levels in tropical waters. The pollutants kick off a chain reaction contributing to falling oxygen levels thousands of miles away.
A new study has found that moss can be a useful bioindicator of cadmium air pollution in urban areas. Researchers used moss to track down previously unknown pollution sources in Portland and created a fine-scale map of cadmium deposition across the city.
A new study by NYU Langone Health reveals that air pollution in the US is responsible for approximately 3% of premature births, with a total economic cost of $4.33 billion annually. The majority of these births occur in urban counties, primarily in Southern California and the Eastern U.S.
Research associates outdoor air pollution with dry eye disease, finding decreased humidity and increased ozone levels increase DED risk. PM10 was not associated with DED, possibly due to reflex tearing or low environmental levels.
Researchers found that unmanaged forests remain productive despite surface ozone pollution, due to differential sensitivity among tree species. Ozone impacts are more pronounced in low-diversity systems like crops and managed forests.
A rat study published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology found that exposure to Beijing's polluted air increases weight and metabolic dysfunctions. The study also showed that pregnant rats exposed to polluted air had higher levels of insulin resistance, a precursor to Type 2 diabetes.
Research by the University of British Columbia found that babies born to mothers exposed to air pollution from traffic had a higher risk of developing asthma before age six. The study, which included over 65,000 children in Metro Vancouver, linked increased exposure to traffic-related pollutants with an increased risk of asthma.
A large-scale study found a significant link between traffic-related air pollution and the formation of lentigenes (facial dark spots) on cheeks of Asian women over 50. The study also showed that exposure to nitrogen dioxide gas had a stronger impact on dark spot formation than particulate matter.
A new study suggests that biomass burning from African and Asian fires may play a larger role in climate change than previously thought. Researchers found high concentrations of ozone and chemicals associated with fires in the tropical Pacific, particularly above Guam.
A nationwide study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that women with diabetes who are exposed to air pollution for long periods may have a much higher risk for heart disease. The study showed that cardiovascular disease and stroke risks increased by up to 66% among these individuals.
Researchers found a significant association between coarse particles in the air and increased cardiovascular hospitalizations in people 65 and older. The study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, analyzed data from 110 large urban counties in the US and linked it to Medicare data on hospitalizations from 1999 to 2010.
Experts at RMIT University have created a reliable method of detecting nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a significant air pollutant responsible for over seven million deaths worldwide. The new sensor is designed to be highly selective, sensitive, and affordable, aiming to improve public health by providing early detection of harmful NO2 levels.
A new study reveals that ground-level ozone has been reducing crop yields of maize and soybeans by 5% and 10%, respectively, over the last 30 years. The researchers calculated an annual loss of $9 billion due to ozone damage, highlighting the need for upgraded emissions regulations.
A new MIT-led study reveals that Volkswagen's use of software to evade emissions standards will directly contribute to 60 premature deaths across the US. The automaker's excess emissions will also cause 31 cases of chronic bronchitis and 34 hospital admissions, generating $450 million in health expenses.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that surface solar radiation in China has decreased due to higher air pollution and lower wind speeds. The research reveals that the solar dimming increased significantly during the day in polluted areas, with 20% of reduced solar radiation attributed to aerosols.
Researchers discovered hundreds of censored Weibo posts criticizing air pollution and government response to the documentary 'Under the Dome'. The study highlights the effectiveness of Chinese censorship in suppressing public expression.
The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics calls for increased efforts to prevent exposure to toxic chemicals, linked to reproductive issues such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and cancer. The group advocates for policies to protect patients and communities from involuntary chemical exposure.
Researchers detected an average of 104-105 viable microbial aerosol particles per cubic meter in the air, with Bacillus dominating the bacterial community. The team found striking differences in size distribution patterns across different climate zones, which may serve as a fingerprint for a particular region.
Researchers found that lung transplant patients living on or near busy roads with high levels of air pollution are more likely to die or experience chronic organ rejection compared to those in less polluted areas. Taking macrolides, a class of antibiotics, may protect against the devastating effects of air pollution.