Articles tagged with Air Pollution
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 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 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 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...
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.
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.
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.
A Los Alamos National Laboratory team verified air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from two coal-fired power plants in the Four Corners area using space-based techniques. The study found that emissions from the San Juan Generating Station are less polluting than those from the nearby Four Corners Generating Station.
Research led by NCAR finds US ozone levels projected to increase by 70% by 2050 due to rising temperatures and climate change. However, a sharp reduction in emissions of ozone precursors could reduce pollution even as the climate warms.
The Lancet and The Lancet Respiratory Medicine publish review articles on outdoor air pollution, asthma genetics, and preschool wheeze diagnosis to improve asthma control, prognosis, and personalized treatment approaches.
A study by Children's Hospital Los Angeles found strong correlations between seasonal ambient air pollutants and pregnancy loss in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The researchers discovered a striking seasonal pattern of variation in miscarriage incidence, with increases in December due to increased hours of darkness and coldest temperatures.
A groundbreaking nationwide study found that people of color are exposed to 38% higher levels of nitrogen dioxide outdoor air pollution compared to white people. The health impacts are substantial, with an estimated 7,000 deaths from heart disease among nonwhites each year if they breathed the lower NO2 levels experienced by whites.
A new study finds that air pollution from traffic dramatically increases the odds of hospital readmission for asthma among white children. In contrast, black children were not found to have increased risk despite having higher rates of asthma readmission overall.
Research associates high traffic-related air pollution exposure with increased right ventricular mass and volume, linking it to a higher risk of heart failure and cardiovascular death. The study found that participants exposed to higher levels of nitrogen dioxide had greater right ventricular changes.
A University of Florida study found that exposure to four air pollutants during pregnancy increases the risk of developing high blood pressure disorder. The researchers analyzed data from over 22,000 pregnant women and found a significant association between air pollution exposure and hypertension.
A new study by University of Toronto researchers finds that reported oil sands emissions of hazardous air pollutants are greatly underestimated. The team's comprehensive modeling assessment indicates that evaporation from tailings ponds may introduce more pollutants into the atmosphere than direct emissions.
Research explores cooperative transition of SO2 and NOx into secondary aerosols in China's haze pollution, showing positive feedback mechanism that accelerates air pollution. Authors conclude that controlling precursor gases is crucial to reduce PM2.5 concentrations.
Research by Meiyun Lin and colleagues found that Asian ozone pollution reaching Hawaii is relatively low in spring but rises significantly in autumn due to changes in atmospheric circulation. This shift has significant implications for understanding surface ozone levels globally.
A new study from North Carolina State University indicates that increasing electric drive vehicle use will have little impact on reducing carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide emissions. The researchers found that even if EDVs made up 42 percent of passenger vehicles, there would be limited emission reductions.
Research at Columbia University Medical Center found obese children are nearly three times as likely to develop asthma when exposed to high levels of air pollutants. Rates of childhood obesity and asthma have increased dramatically over the past 30 years, with urban minority populations disproportionately affected.
Researchers propose using water spray from tall buildings to remove aerosol pollutants, reducing fine particle load in the atmosphere. This geoengineering technique is environmentally safe, technologically feasible, efficient, and low-cost.
A new UK review examines gender differences in COPD prevalence, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation. The study finds that women are increasingly affected by COPD due to changing smoking trends and environmental risk factors.
A study found that residents of major US cities with high levels of air pollution are more likely to be diagnosed with dry eye syndrome. Environmental manipulations such as maintaining humidity and using air filters can help manage the condition.
A major coal seam fire in China's Shuangyashan prefecture-level city has been detected by NASA's Terra satellite, highlighting the issue of underground coal fires that can cause severe air pollution and global warming.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found a strong link between air pollution exposure during pregnancy and increased risk of behavioral problems in children. Maternal psychological distress also played a significant role, with children experiencing anxiety, depression, attention problems, and aggressive behavior.
Honeybees rely on floral odours to find and identify flowers. Diesel exhaust fumes alter the profile of these odours, affecting foraging efficiency and pollination. The study found that NOx gases, particularly nitrogen dioxide, are key facilitators of this change.
A new study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics finds that gas flaring from oil extraction in the Arctic accounts for 42% of black carbon concentrations. Residential combustion emissions also play a significant role in black carbon pollution, contributing to the warming effect on ice and snow.
A nationwide study found that cold weather increases heart attack risk, with temperatures below 10°C significantly correlated. Unlike air pollution, which has a negligible effect, temperature plays a crucial role in triggering acute myocardial infarction.
Research reveals that burning incense generates indoor air pollutants that cause inflammation in human lung cells, similar to cigarette smoke. The study recommends improving ventilation and using alternative combustion devices to mitigate this health risk.
A systematic review found that short-term air pollutant exposure raises the risk of heart failure hospitalization and death. Modest reductions in major pollutants could prevent thousands of hospitalizations and save millions annually.
A new MIT study estimates that air pollution from coal emissions in China shortens lives by 2.5 billion years, with particulate matter levels over 400 micrograms per cubic meter found in the region. The research uses quasi-experimental methods to project life expectancy losses for 500 million Chinese residents north of the Huai River.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that NRF2 signaling plays a role in regulating cell metabolism, leading to increased energy production and tumor cell proliferation. The study demonstrates the importance of targeting Nrf2 with small molecule inhibitors to intervene in therapeutic resistance.
A new study from Harvard School of Public Health found that women exposed to high levels of air pollution while pregnant were up to twice as likely to have a child with autism. The study examined data from over 116,000 nurses and found associations between air pollution and autism risk in children.
A research team at UCSF has found that exposure to nitrogen dioxide during infancy is strongly linked with later development of childhood asthma among African Americans and Latinos. The study indicates that traffic-related pollution might be a cause of the disease, calling for tightened U.S government standards for annual exposure to NO2.
A study by Georgia State University researcher Jeremy Diem found that a decrease in pollution following the passage of the Clean Air Act of 1970 led to an increase in summer rainfall for the Atlanta metropolitan area. Precipitation levels dropped in the 1950s and 1960s due to air pollution, but rebounded in the late 1970s as pollution ...
Conscious Clothing's wearable breathing analysis tool calculates inhaled particulate matter and transmits data to Bluetooth-capable devices. Researchers can now monitor relationships between air pollutants and individual health responses in real-time.
Research found a significant association between early-life exposure to traffic-related air pollution and increased hyperactivity scores in children at age 7. The study suggests that traffic pollution may have long-lasting effects on the developing brain.
A new study has found that living near a major roadway during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of respiratory infection in children. The study included 1,271 mother-child pairs and found that those who lived closer to the road had a higher risk of developing respiratory infections by age 3.
Fine-particle air pollution and nighttime traffic noise pollution independently associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. Researchers found strong associations among younger participants, those with coronary artery disease, and statin users.
A study of over 1,100 adults who had a stroke found that those living closest to major roads had lower kidney function and increased cardiovascular death rates. Exposure to air pollution from traffic was linked to reduced renal function and an increased risk of cardiovascular events.
A new study published in Diabetologia found that growing up in areas with high air pollution increases the risk of insulin resistance in children. The research used data from two prospective German birth cohort studies and found a significant association between air pollution exposure and increased levels of insulin resistance.
The article describes progress in introducing cleaner cook stoves to developing countries, cutting fuel use and air pollution exposure. The new stoves can reduce climate-warming emissions and improve health outcomes for millions of people worldwide.
Researchers found evidence of lead pollution in a lagoon at 3,020 m altitude, tracing it back to ancient metallurgical activities. The study suggests that human activity significantly impacted the environment during the Holocene period.