Articles tagged with Air Pollution
Historical data analysis reveals that combined effects of atmospheric brown clouds and greenhouse gases negatively impacted Indian rice harvests. The study estimates that harvests would have been 20-25% higher in the 1990s if pollution-related climate impacts hadn't occurred.
Research published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that high hourly air pollution levels significantly increase the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. The study analyzed data from 13 major urban areas in Japan and found a doubling of stroke risk when particulate matter levels exceeded 200 ug/m3 two hours before death.
Scientists at NASA have found that aerosol particles in air pollution can prevent clouds from forming, while lighter particles can help them form. This discovery could improve climate predictions and understanding of the Earth's climate system.
Climate change is likely to affect health through vector-borne and diarrheal diseases, malnutrition, flood-related conditions, heat and cold deaths. Increasing renewable energy use can improve health by reducing air pollution and addressing climate change.
Exposure to combustion-related urban air pollutants during pregnancy is linked to lower scores on mental development tests and a higher risk of developmental delay at age three. The study found that children exposed to the highest levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) scored significantly lower on cognitive tests.
The Maldives AUAV Campaign has demonstrated the effectiveness of lightweight AUAVs in analyzing atmospheric chemistry, revealing how pollution particles cause dimming and contribute to cloud formation. The data produced will aid in understanding climate change science.
Researchers have successfully completed 18 data-gathering missions using autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles in pollution-filled skies over the Maldives. The aircraft flew in synchronous vertical formation, collecting unprecedented detail on how pollution particles contribute to cloud formation and dimming.
The study reveals how ozone reacts with carbon-carbon double bonds to form crosslinked networks within the thin film, degrading organic surfaces with prolonged exposure. Understanding this reaction mechanism may lead to improved films for organic coatings and polymeric materials.
A study found that cities with reduced fine particulate matter pollution (PM2.5) had lower adjusted mortality rates, especially for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The largest drops in mortality rates were seen in cities with the greatest reduction in PM2.5 concentrations.
A research team led by Professor Eberhard Bodenschatz has experimentally tested two theories on how particles separate in strong turbulence. The results, which agree with George Batchelor's predictions but not the Richardson-Obukhov law, suggest that particles move more slowly away from each other than previously assumed.
UCLA researcher Dr. Andre Nel has developed a new testing method to evaluate the safety and health risks of engineered nanomaterials. The approach uses existing toxicity testing frameworks to predict potential hazards, enabling the classification of materials as safe or toxic.
A study by PNNL found that China's air pollution has caused a decrease in cloud cover over the past 50 years, resulting in more frequent clear skies and reduced surface heat from sunshine. The likely culprit is a nine-fold increase in fossil fuel emissions, which have entrenched China in a foggy haze.
A new study by Imperial College London found that taking a taxi can expose individuals to high levels of ultrafine particles, even when sitting in the vehicle. The study used a visualisation system to measure exposure levels across different modes of transport, revealing that walking results in the lowest exposure.
Researchers found that prolonged exposure to low levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) increases the risk of heart disease by accelerating atherosclerosis and causing vascular inflammation in mice. The study used real-world exposure to airborne pollutants to demonstrate the link between air pollution and cardiovascular disease.
A randomized controlled trial found that fish oil supplementation prevented a reduction in heart rate variability in elderly subjects exposed to indoor air pollutant particles. In contrast, soy oil supplements showed a marginal, nonsignificant protective effect against the negative impact of particulate matter on heart rate variability.
Scientists found high levels of ozone at extreme altitudes in Tibet, forming a 'halo' that may put climbers at risk due to its medical effects. Ozone concentrations are higher than expected and could exacerbate hypoxia and respiratory issues.
A worldwide compilation of exceptionally preserved fossil assemblages suggests that prehistoric global warming may have led to the formation of these fossils. The widespread death and burial of animals and their carbon created fossil bonanzas, potentially saving Earth from a heat sterilization event like Venus.
A University College London study found that heat-related deaths were largely unaffected by pollutants such as ozone and particulates. Instead, temperature rises in early summer contributed significantly to mortality rates, highlighting the need for improved heat preparedness.
This study reveals that airborne particulate matter is associated with an increased risk of heart attack, particularly in individuals with damaged arteries. The research suggests that exposure to these pollutants can lead to lung inflammation and fatal blood clots.
A University of Southern California-led study found that air pollution poses a greater danger to health than previously thought, with a two- to three-fold increase in chronic health effects compared to earlier estimates. The study revealed a significant link between fine particle levels and increased risk of death from heart disease, l...
Research found a strong link between childhood cancer and air pollution, particularly from vehicle exhausts and diesel engines. Children exposed to high levels of pollutants in the womb or shortly after birth were at increased risk of developing cancer, with proximity to emission sources also playing a critical role.
A new study found that low-income, African-American communities in Maryland are more likely to be exposed to high levels of air pollutants, increasing their cancer risk. The study suggests that targeted emissions-reduction policies can help mitigate this disparity and improve health outcomes for these communities.
Researchers found that ozone levels are closely related to the formation, intensification and movement of hurricanes. The study's findings can help improve predicted tracks and lead to better tracking of storms. Ozone data can provide a clearer view of a hurricane's eye, aiding in storm position pinpointing.
Researchers found a strong relationship between ozone levels and hurricane behavior, enabling better tracking and forecasting. Ozone data helps pinpoint the storm's eye, leading to more accurate predictions of hurricane movement.
A Harvard study finds that diabetics experience impaired blood vessel function on days with high sulfate and black carbon particle pollution, increasing heart attack risk. The research highlights a biological mechanism linking particle pollution to cardiovascular disease.
A significant association was found between air pollution and an increased risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmias among patients with implanted cardioverter defibrillators. The risk was particularly high when particulate air pollution, black carbon, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide were present.
Researchers found that exposure to fine particles in air pollution impairs blood vessel reactivity in people with diabetes, leading to a higher risk of heart problems. The study also suggests that this association may help explain previous findings on the link between air pollution and cardiovascular issues in diabetics.
Researchers measured air toxin levels in a tollbooth and found that the ventilation system provided relatively low and constant concentrations of pollutants, protecting workers during rush-hour traffic. However, chlorinated VOCs used in cleaning products were present at higher concentrations indoors than outdoors.
A study by UCLA found that children on school buses are exposed to high levels of diesel pollution, comparable to urban areas. The researchers analyzed six buses and found that intake fraction values were significantly higher than typical U.S. urban areas.
A new UC study reveals that children inside school buses inhale significantly more exhaust pollutants than those outside, particularly among older buses. The researchers found that for every metric ton of pollution emitted by a school bus, kids on that bus inhale comparable or larger amounts of pollution.
A study found that air pollution increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes by thickening blood, a process triggered by particulate matter. Exposure to pollutants boosted inflammatory activity and promoted clotting factors in cells, suggesting a potential link between air pollution and cardiovascular disease.
A Harvard researcher predicts a decline in cleansing summer winds, leading to increased ground-level ozone pollution. This could exacerbate respiratory issues like asthma for affected populations.
Researchers found a link between air pollution and chromosomal abnormalities in babies, with stable alterations increasing cancer risk. The study monitored exposure to PAHs among African-American and Dominican mothers in NYC, finding higher abnormalities in those exposed to high pollution levels.
Researchers analyzed satellite data from four years of MISR observations to find a concentrated pool of particles over Bihar, largely due to inefficient biofuel burning. The pollution affects human health and local climate, with altered temperature and precipitation patterns.
Researchers discovered a large class of airborne particles that react with nitric acid to form calcium nitrate, altering sunlight reflection and cloud-altering properties. The newly formed particles can absorb water, scattering and absorbing sunlight, posing a new challenge for climate modelers.
A study of 95 US cities found that ground-level ozone is associated with a 0.52% daily increase in deaths, with an average daily ozone level of 26ppb. A 10ppb reduction in daily ozone could save nearly 4,000 lives.
A large-scale study conducted from 1987 to 2000 found a strong link between short-term changes in ground-level ozone and mortality in 95 urban areas, covering 40% of the US population. The study suggests that reducing daily ozone levels by 10 parts per billion could save up to 4,000 lives annually.
A study found a significant association between short-term ozone exposure and an increase in daily death rates, particularly among older adults. The researchers estimated that a 10-ppb increase in ozone was associated with an additional 3,767 premature deaths annually in urban communities.
A study of children with asthma in Denver found that winter air pollution had no significant effect on asthma exacerbations or lung function. However, upper respiratory infections more than quadrupled the odds of an asthma exacerbation and increased symptoms.
A new study found that long-term air pollution exposure contributes to cardiovascular problems at an early stage of the disease, enhancing atherosclerosis. The strongest association was seen in women over 60, with a 15.7% increase in CIMT for every 10 ug/m3 increase in PM2.5.
Researchers tracked dust particles from Sahara desert to Toronto using laser ablation mass spectrometer, revealing global pollutants on local streets. The study enables identification of pollutants without prior knowledge of their origin.
Biologists at Duke University discovered that nitric oxide delays flowering in plants, influenced by external concentrations of the chemical. This finding suggests that air pollution from burning fossil fuels could impact critical plant processes.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that air pollution can significantly reduce lung function in children between ages 10 and 18. Researchers tracked air pollutant levels in Southern California communities and found a correlation between poor air quality and decreased forced expiratory volume.
Researchers analyzed the same children's respiratory health at age 18, when lungs are almost completely mature, and found nearly five times more likely to have clinically low lung function in smoggy communities compared to low-pollution sites.
Researchers found pronounced nitrogen oxide pollution plumes extending across central Indian Ocean, mainly from Africa and southeast Asia. The study suggests that the Indian Ocean is not always pristine and that feedbacks in atmospheric chemistry can result in downwind regions being highly insensitive to upwind emissions.
Researchers monitored PAHs in smoke and soot after 9/11, finding high levels initially but diminishing rapidly. The study suggests little lifetime cancer risk for people living near Ground Zero, but possible effects on unborn babies.
A New York City study reveals that newborns are equally exposed to DNA damage from air pollution as their mothers, despite lower pollutant doses. The research highlights the importance of reducing air pollution levels in urban areas.
A new study highlights the significant burden of environment on child health in Europe, with outdoor and indoor air pollution, inadequate water and sanitation, lead exposure, and injuries causing substantial deaths and disabilities. The findings emphasize the need for interventions to reduce children's exposure to unsafe environments a...
A recent study found that the gene TLR4 plays a crucial role in determining the lung's response to environmental toxins, particularly ozone. Mice with a functional copy of the gene were more susceptible to asthma-like symptoms when exposed to high levels of ozone.
Research reveals that air pollution has a debilitating effect on the lungs of obese children, with twice as strong associations compared to their normal-weight counterparts. The study found that increased inflammation due to obesity exacerbates the negative impact of air pollution on lung function.
A new study by Mount Sinai researchers found that exposure to WTC dust increased the risk of respiratory symptoms, including cough, wheeze, and shortness of breath. Pregnant women who were near the disaster site experienced a two-fold increase in small for gestational age infants.
Researchers at Penn State have found a missing chemical that plays a significant role in ozone and aerosol production in the lower atmosphere. The discovery was made through a two-year study of hydroxyl radical reactivity in a forested area, which found that a temperature-dependent chemical was reacting with the hydroxyl radical.
A comprehensive study of plant physiology has found that fast-growing plants (hares) are more susceptible to pollution, while slower-growing plants (tortoises) are better adapted to control energy consumption. The research provides insights into how plants respond to environmental changes.
Researchers found a link between a family of antioxidant-related genes and the allergic response to diesel exhaust particles. The study suggests that people lacking these genes may have difficulty fighting air pollution's harmful effects, with potential treatments being explored.
Researchers found that diesel exhaust particles trigger more severe allergic responses in individuals with certain genetic variations, particularly the GSTM1 and GSTP1 genes. This study suggests a new route of intervention for pollution-related lung health problems.
A recent study found that air pollution significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular deaths, with a 45% mortality rate attributed to heart disease, compared to 8.2% for respiratory diseases. The researchers propose that inflammation and nervous system changes may be key mechanisms behind this association.
A new analysis has found that long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with a 31% increase in the risk of dying from ischemic heart disease. The risk is comparable to that of being a former smoker, according to researchers at NYU Langone Health.
Researchers found that ozone reduces soil carbon formation, a key process for storing organic matter. The study suggests forests may be less effective at cleaning the air of excess carbon dioxide when ozone levels are high.
Researchers found that elevated ozone levels can reduce soil carbon formation, which is essential for forest health and climate regulation. The study's findings suggest that high ozone levels may hinder forests' ability to absorb excess carbon dioxide, threatening global efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers will use gene expression profiling and other techniques to identify genes involved in asthma. The program aims to understand how environmental factors interact with genetic causes to affect the disease's progression.