Articles tagged with Air Pollution
Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a porous framework that can capture common air pollutants and emit glowing colors when exposed to ultraviolet light. This breakthrough enables the creation of portable, solid-state pollution detectors with potential applications in medicine, pharmaceuticals, and industry.
Scientists have found that thirdhand smoke, the invisible remains of cigarette smoke, can react with ozone in indoor air to form potentially toxic pollutants on surfaces. This can lead to adverse health effects, particularly for vulnerable populations like babies crawling on carpet or people eating food tainted by thirdhand smoke.
Researchers found that global levels of hydroxyl radical, a critical player in atmospheric chemistry, are stable and vary by only a few percent every year. This discovery improves confidence in projecting the future of Earth's atmosphere and reduces concerns about human-caused or natural changes.
Researchers discovered that exposure to high levels of air pollution narrows tiny blood vessels in the retina, increasing the risk of heart disease. Exposure to even small amounts of pollution can cause a 3% increase in heart disease risk for women living in polluted areas.
A study by Sara Adar and colleagues found that long-term air pollution exposure is associated with narrowing of retinal arterioles, a microvascular change linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk. Short-term pollution exposure also showed weak associations with retinal vessel changes.
A new study by NCAR scientists finds that deciduous plants absorb about a third more oVOCs than previously thought, taking in 36% more compounds globally. This process cleanses the atmosphere, with plants adapting their metabolism to absorb chemicals as a response to stress.
Research found significant associations between air pollution and COPD incidence, with stronger effects in men, obese patients, and those with pre-existing diabetes and asthma. Long-term exposure may be a true risk factor for developing severe COPD.
A recent study published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health found that exposure to Kilauea's vog increases health risks, including headaches, sore throats, and acute airway problems. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to their nose-breathing habits.
A new Montreal study suggests a link between air pollution from traffic and an increased risk of post-menopausal breast cancer. The study found that women living in areas with high levels of nitrogen dioxide, a by-product of vehicular traffic, were more likely to develop breast cancer.
A new paper in Nature suggests that a sudden cooling event in Northern Hemisphere oceans between 1968 and 1972 played a key role in the observed hiatus of global warming during the mid-20th century. The research found that this cooling event was most pronounced in the northern North Atlantic.
A new study by Long Island Jewish Medical Center and The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research found that fine particles of pollution can increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. For every 10ug/m3 rise in small particle air pollution, there was a four-to-ten percent increase in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
Researchers find that crop yields are unlikely to meet future demands due to climate change, and that elevated carbon dioxide levels result in only half the expected yield increase. SoyFACE facility is conducting novel studies on this topic using open-field environments.
A new study establishes a link between air pollution, temperature increases, and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), a known cause of cardiovascular diseases. The study found that short-term elevations in temperature were associated with increased severity of SDB, while particulate pollution was linked to poorer sleep quality.
Researchers found that particulate air pollution from PM2.5 exposure can affect heart electrophysiology up to six hours after inhalation, leading to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Elevated PM2.5 levels may trigger acute cardiac events and contribute to chronic heart disease.
A study by the University of Duisburg-Essen found that people living in polluted urban areas experience higher blood pressure due to exposure to fine and coarse particulate matter. This association remains even after accounting for other factors such as age, gender, smoking, and weight.
Researchers recommend stabilizing carbon dioxide concentrations, fashioning warming-neutral pollution laws, and achieving immediate cooling through reductions in greenhouse gases. The proposed strategies aim to reduce the probability of reaching the temperature threshold to less than 10 percent before 2050.
Researchers propose a multi-faceted approach to avoid exceeding the 2-degree C temperature threshold, including reducing methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and other greenhouse gases. They advocate for aggressive simultaneous pursuit of strategies to stabilize CO2 concentrations and implement warming-neutral pollution laws.
A Columbia University study found prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can reduce children's reasoning ability and intelligence at age 5. PAHs are released from fossil fuels and other combustion sources, making air pollution a widespread concern.
The American Society for Nutrition will present a symposium on responsive feeding and how to promote healthy growth and development for infants and toddlers. Meanwhile, the American Physiological Society will discuss personalized, 'systems' medicine, integrating biologic and informational sciences to address complex biomedical problems.
Surface ozone levels in southwestern Spain consistently exceed recommended limits, affecting human and plant health. The study found daily cycles of high ozone levels during spring and summer months, with concentrations varying between stations.
A study found that household pesticide labels fail to provide clear maximum safe use guidelines, allowing consumers to overuse products like para-dichlorobenzene. This can lead to increased exposure to indoor air pollutants, posing health risks to family members and pets.
Research by McMaster University scientist Mark Loeb found that long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter increases the risk of hospitalization for pneumonia in adults aged 65 and older. Exposure to air pollution may compromise lung immune defenses, making individuals more susceptible to pneumonia.
Research found that long-term exposure to traffic pollution independently increased the risk of hospitalization for pneumonia among older individuals. Long-term exposures to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) were each associated with a more than doubled risk of hospitalization from pneumonia.
A new study led by Stanford researchers finds that ethanol-powered vehicles produce more ozone than gas-powered ones, particularly during winter months. The increase in ozone production is attributed to the generation of aldehydes, which are precursors to ozone and can be carcinogenic.
Researchers found high levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds along the Athabasca River and its tributaries, with concentrations increasing near major oil sands up graders. The study challenges government and industry assertions that pollution is a naturally occurring seepage.
In low-income settings, household energy interventions have greater potential to improve public health than those in high-income countries. In the UK, combined insulation and behavioral changes can avert 5,500 premature deaths and save 41 megatonnes of CO2. In India, introducing efficient cooking stoves can benefit up to 87% of househo...
New research highlights the importance of controlling short-lived greenhouse pollutants like sulphates, methane, and black carbon to reduce global warming and improve health. The study finds that sulphates can have negative health effects while ozone pollution has a significant impact on cardiovascular mortality.
A series of studies published in The Lancet show that cutting greenhouse gases can directly reduce premature deaths and improve global health, particularly in low-income countries. The research highlights the co-benefits of tackling climate change by reducing air pollution and improving public health.
Research highlights from NHLBI-supported studies presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions include new education strategies for controlling hypertension and findings on a possible link between short-term and long-term exposure to air pollution and increased risk of constricted blood vessels. Two surgical approac...
A University of Utah engineer has developed a new method to remove oil sheen from polluted water using tiny bubbles created by pressurizing ozone gas. This method, which targets the oil sheen and other pollutants, could be used to clean wastewater discharged into coastal waters and soil contaminated with heavy metals.
Research at the University of Granada found that consuming fish more than 3 times a week during pregnancy is associated with worse cognitive performance in children. Higher levels of mercury exposure also show generalised delays in cognitive, memory, and verbal areas.
A new study found that air pollution increases the risk of bronchiolitis in infants, with higher exposure levels associated with a significant increase in risk. The research analyzed data from nearly 12,000 infant diagnoses and found that traffic-derived air pollutants were linked to an increased risk of bronchiolitis.
Researchers present findings on zinc deficiency's role in allergic asthma, air pollution's significant health risk for patients with chronic lung diseases, and electrical stimulation as a potential bronchodilation treatment. Studies also explore the reduction of daily steroids in children with asthma and the association between high-do...
Researchers argue that short- and medium-lived pollutants like soot, ozone, and methane contribute significantly to near-term climate change. Experts recommend adopting aggressive reduction targets for these pollutants and establishing a new treaty framework.
A recent study found that using a vented stove instead of traditional indoor open fires significantly improves respiratory health in Mexican women. The study showed that women who used the Patsari stove had improved lung function and reduced symptoms compared to those who used open wood fires.
Burning paraffin wax candles can release known human carcinogens into the air, posing health risks. Replacing them with soy or beeswax candles may provide a healthier alternative.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a fluorescent probe that glows bright green when exposed to ozone, a harmful pollutant and lung irritant. The probe's sensitivity and specificity make it a potential tool for monitoring indoor and outdoor ozone levels, as well as studying its effects on the human body.
A study suggests air pollution may contribute to non-specific abdominal pain in young women, while another study shows that moderate alcohol intake can reduce the risk of gallstones. The findings highlight the importance of environmental factors and lifestyle choices on GI health.
Research found high self-reported asthma rates in NYC children living near Ground Zero, with 50% increase in new cases following the 2001 attacks. Exposure to urban ambient pollution and toxins released by the WTC plume may contribute to the persistently high asthma incidence.
Research finds that atmospheric pollution has enhanced global plant productivity by up to a quarter since 1960, leading to a 10% increase in carbon stored by the land. This unexpected effect occurs due to increased diffuse radiation reaching the Earth's surface under hazy conditions.
Research highlights coral reefs' decline due to rising CO2 levels and ocean acidification. Ocean proximity also exacerbates ozone pollution in Houston by increasing reactive chlorine mass. New measurements reveal the impact of nitryl chloride on ozone formation, with significant increases observed.
A new decade-long database of aerosol measurements over land has been compiled, revealing a global decline in clear sky visibility from 1973 to 2007. This trend is indicative of increases in airborne pollution and its impact on climate change research.
A new study published in Neurology found that higher temperatures and lower barometric air pressure may increase the risk of headaches. Air pollution levels had no effect on headache risk in the study. The study examined 7,054 people diagnosed with headache in a Boston emergency department over seven years.
A study of over 7,000 patients found that higher air temperature and lower barometric pressure contribute to severe headaches, challenging the notion that weather triggers headaches. The research suggests that headache sufferers should identify personal triggers with their doctors, including environmental factors.
Researchers discovered a new cause of airway irritation and wheezing after exposure to ozone, a common urban air pollutant. They found that high amounts of hyaluronan, a sugar molecule, are responsible for narrowing the airways.
A meta-analysis of decades-long experimental evidence reveals that modern day concentrations of ground level ozone pollution are decreasing tree growth in northern and temperate mid-latitudes. The study predicts a 17% reduction in tree growth by the end of the century if current fossil fuel dependence continues.
A new method for tracing zinc pollution in the atmosphere has been developed, which can identify the source of the pollution. This breakthrough could improve pollution monitoring and inform national and international strategies to reduce zinc pollution.
Researchers have developed an application called Zoetrope that allows users to easily search and analyze historical web data. The system captures and stores archived websites, enabling users to view past versions of sites and track changes over time.
A study in Mexico City found that asthmatic children are more likely to experience worsening respiratory symptoms when living near high-traffic areas. The study, led by Dr Isabelle Romieu, suggests that diesel particles have a significant impact on respiratory health.
A new study suggests that air pollution can both increase and decrease rainfall, depending on local environmental conditions. The research, led by Prof. Daniel Rosenfeld of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, found that aerosol particles in the air can affect cloud formation and precipitation patterns.
Researchers used proteomics to compare the nuclear proteome of immature and mature gonadotrophic cells, revealing novel proteins that regulate gonadotropin gene transcription and RNA splicing. Urban air pollution was found to affect placental development, leading to reduced fetal growth and pregnancy complications.
A recent study found that over 30% of American public schools are within 400 meters of major highways, putting children at risk for respiratory diseases. The research suggests that proximity to highways and environmental pollutants can leave school-age children more susceptible to asthma and other chronic respiratory problems.
Researchers have identified a unique molecule essential to breaking down pollutants in the atmosphere, including acid rain. This breakthrough discovery will help scientists model pollutant reactions and predict potential outcomes.
A German research group found associations between exposure to traffic-related air pollution and the onset of allergic diseases in children. Children living less than 50m from a busy main road were 1-50% more likely to contract diseases like asthmatic bronchitis, hay fever, and eczema.
Scientists use A-Train sensors to find that polluted clouds in South America produce less rain during dry season. The study suggests aerosol pollution suppresses rainfall due to smaller ice particles not growing large enough to fall as rain.
A study found a strong association between air pollution and an increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, with higher exposure levels leading to faster clotting. The risk was stronger in men than women, highlighting the need for tighter air quality standards.
A new study from researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that carbon monoxide in air pollution and tobacco smoke triggers tuberculosis infection to shift into a dormant state. This dormant state is difficult to detect and treat, contributing to the spread of TB and its high mortality rate.
Biomonitoring utilizes bioindicators to detect pollutant accumulation and provides real-time trend monitoring. This approach is particularly suitable for environments where technological monitoring is impossible or too costly.
A University of Virginia study finds that air pollution destroys flower scents by up to 90 percent, impairing pollinators' ability to locate flowers. This decline in fragility contributes to the declining populations of bees and butterflies, which are essential for food production.
A University of Utah study reveals that polar explorers saw an aerosol 'dry haze' in the late 1800s, likely generated by smelting and coal combustion. The haze was found to contain metallic particles, including vanadium and cobalt, consistent with heavy oil and coal combustion.