Articles tagged with Air Pollution
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.
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...