Articles tagged with Air Pollution
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.
The Lancet study examines 79 avoidable risk factors contributing to 30.8 million deaths in 2013, with poor diet being the leading cumulative impact on health. High blood pressure, smoking, and high body mass index are top individual risk factors associated with global deaths.
Poor diets, high systolic blood pressure, and smoking are top risk factors for global deaths, contributing to 30.8 million deaths in 2013. High blood pressure's impact on mortality has grown significantly, especially among men, while poor diet is the greatest cumulative impact on health.
A recent study highlights the importance of ozone research in the IGP region, which is agriculturally important and densely populated. The results show that seven out of 18 rice cultivars are adaptable to high-ozone environments, suggesting a useful strategy for food security in India.
Researchers found that patients with high risks of MI and bleeding were admitted for NSTE ACS on warmer, sunnier days with higher carbon monoxide and ozone air concentrations. Treatment with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was more successful when the weather was sunnier but colder and with lower concentrations of air pollutants.
New research warns of growing air pollution over West Africa's cities, posing risks to human health, food security and regional climate. Scientists call for urgent data collection to improve models and predict future changes.
Asthmatics are particularly sensitive to sulfur dioxide, which can cause airway irritation even at low concentrations. Scientists still don't know why asthmatics lack the ability to produce interleukin-10, a protein that stops inflammatory processes.
A study by Oregon State University found that mercury emission controls at a coal-fired power plant also reduced concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by 40-72 percent. The air pollution reductions were attributed to the upgrade's impact on regional emissions.
A new IIASA study examines the effect of reducing short-lived air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions on carbon budgets compatible with the 2°C climate target. The researchers found that stringent reductions in methane emissions could increase the size of the carbon budget by up to 20%.
A new study by USC researchers reveals that residential exposure to near-roadway pollutants can cause a significant burden of heart disease, particularly among older adults. The study's findings emphasize the need for zoning buffer areas between busy roadways and new housing developments.
Low-income and minority populations face increased exposure to traffic-related air pollutants due to proximity to high-traffic roadways. Studies suggest that HEPA filtration, land-use buffers, and better urban design can reduce TRAP exposure.
A Dartmouth-led study using a 600-year-old ice core shows that global mercury pollution increased dramatically during the 20th century, but declined faster than previously thought after emissions started to decrease in the late 1970s. The study suggests present-day efforts to cut mercury emissions will reduce pollution more quickly tha...
Researchers identified clusters where higher numbers of children who developed asthma were born in Toronto, suggesting early life factors at the neighbourhood level are relevant to childhood asthma. Air pollution during pregnancy and shortly after birth was found to be related to developing asthma later in childhood.
A study of 1403 women found that those exposed to higher levels of air pollution had reduced white matter in their brains. Ambient particulate air pollutants may have a deleterious effect on brain aging, according to researchers.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that death rates among people over 65 are higher in areas with more fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) than in those with lower levels. Exposure to PM2.5 was linked to increased mortality, even at concentrations below EPA standards.
Researchers found that air pollution directly impacts cognition, with particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide affecting the central nervous system via the sense of smell. Impaired lung function was also linked to cognitive decline in elderly women, regardless of air pollution exposure.
A new study has found an association between vitamin E concentrations and exposure to fine particulate pollution in the general population. Higher levels of alpha-tocopherol, a form of Vitamin E, were linked to lower lung function and reduced exposure to PM2.5.
The study found that exposure to traffic-related air pollution during infancy increased the risk of developing allergies to food, mould, pets, and pests. Children who attended daycare or had older siblings in the household were less likely to develop allergic sensitization.
Researchers from Spain and Portugal analyzed desert aerosols' radiative effect on the Earth's surface, finding that Sahara Desert dust caused cooling in August 2012. The team also discovered that anthropogenic pollution exacerbated this effect, leading to greater radiative cooling in both Évora and Badajoz.
A new study found that long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with smaller brain structure and covert brain infarcts in middle-aged and older adults. Exposure to PM2.5 particles was linked to increased risk of silent strokes and dementia.
New research matches underwater volcanic eruptions with their sound signatures to better detect seafloor emissions. Shale boom is linked to increased ozone pollution concentrations in Texas areas. Titan's atmosphere changes fluctuate according to the Sun's magnetic cycle, affecting methane levels.
A new University of Copenhagen study found that exercise reduces premature mortality risk more than air pollution, even in polluted urban areas. The research suggests exercising in green spaces with low air pollution is still beneficial.
A small imaging study suggests prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may harm children's brains, leading to slower processing speeds and behavioral issues like ADHD symptoms. The study found reduced white matter surface on the left side of the brain associated with these outcomes.
A study of 40 minority youth found a powerful relationship between prenatal PAH exposure and disturbances in brain structure, leading to cognitive and behavioral impairments. The findings suggest that air pollutants contribute to ADHD-like symptoms and other behavioral problems.
A new series of articles examines the association between air pollution and health, with studies finding links between short-term exposure and increased risks of stroke and anxiety. The research highlights the need for policy changes to reduce exposure in highly polluted regions.
Researchers analyzed medical test records for over 300,000 people and found a significant link between fine-particulate-matter pollution and stenosis in internal carotid arteries. This study suggests that lowering pollution levels may reduce the incidence of carotid artery stenosis and stroke.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism linking inhaled diesel pollution to respiratory distress by activating airway sensory nerves. The study found that diesel particles activate the TRPA1 channel, leading to increased oxidative stress and exacerbating respiratory conditions such as asthma.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that higher levels of traffic-related air pollution at schools are linked to slower cognitive development in 7- to 10-year-old children. The researchers measured three cognitive outcomes and found a significant decrease in cognitive development among children attending highly polluted sch...
Air pollution from particulate matter and ozone may amplify severe stroke risk in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Researchers found that tPA administration rates increased significantly among the elderly, with improvements seen in urban and teaching hospitals.
Drivers spend an average of 1.5 hours a day in their cars, with signalized intersections being major pollution hotspots due to frequent changes in driving conditions. Exposure to nanoparticles from vehicle emissions increases by up to 25% when passing through traffic lights.
Scientists discovered a previously unknown structure that forms during vulcanization, which could lead to improved tire performance and fuel savings. The discovery has major implications for the auto industry and reducing air pollution.
A UCLA study found that environmental messages can significantly reduce energy use, with participants reducing their electricity consumption by an average of 8% after receiving weekly emails highlighting the health and environmental benefits. The most effective message was one that combined both ideas, reminding people that energy redu...
A nationwide study in Israel found exposure to air pollutants PM10 and NOX during full-term pregnancies is associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations. The research also discovered that exposure to SO2 and O3 in ART pregnancies are linked to a higher risk of congenital defects.
Researchers found brown organic carbon and black carbon particles in the Taj Mahal complex, which come from fuel combustion, cooking, and brick-making. The dust may come from local agricultural activities or distant sources, and reducing particulate matter could have health benefits for people in the region.
A new study by University of Toronto atmospheric chemist Jennifer Murphy reveals that soil plays a crucial role in the production of nitrous acid, a key pollutant in air quality. The research suggests that soils can take up nitrous acid at night and release it into the atmosphere the next day through reaction with stronger acids.
Exposure to tobacco smoke and near-roadway air pollution contributes to childhood obesity development. The study found increased weight gain in children exposed to both air pollutants compared to those with no exposure.
A study found that household air pollution was twice as great in homes with children suffering from asthma and allergies. Volatile organic compounds also increased in these households.
A new integrated study suggests that targeting emissions of non-CO2 gases and air pollutants may not produce the desired long-term climate change benefits. The research highlights the importance of considering linkages between short-lived climate forcers and CO2 in climate stabilization scenarios, finding that near-term action on short...
Researchers found that exposure to traffic-related air pollutants during the second trimester of pregnancy is associated with reduced lung function in preschool children. Higher levels of benzene and NO2 were linked to impaired lung function, particularly among allergic children and those from lower social classes.
A study published in Nature Geoscience found that air pollution, specifically aerosols, increases river flows in the northern hemisphere. The research reveals a significant impact of solar dimming on enhanced river flows over regions in heavily industrialised areas.
A third of the world's population uses plant-based solid fuels for cooking, heating, and lighting, resulting in high levels of household air pollution. The Commission concludes that an estimated 600-800 million families worldwide are at increased risk of illnesses such as respiratory tract infections and lung cancer.
A new study estimates that more than 40% of global waste is burned in unregulated fires, releasing pollutants such as particulates, carbon monoxide, and mercury. These emissions have been linked to serious medical issues, including decreased lung function and cancer.
Researchers propose using industrial pollution as a sign of intelligent life, which could be detectable with the James Webb Space Telescope. The team found that CFCs could be used to identify advanced civilizations, but this method requires an ideal environment, such as an Earth-like planet circling a white dwarf star.
New research highlights the erosion of building materials including stone, concrete and steel due to mix of pollutants and organic chemicals in green spaces. Experts recommend investing in green spaces to reduce greenhouse gases, cut pollution exposure and improve mental health benefits.