Articles tagged with Air Pollution
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 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.
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.
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.
The UCR engineer will measure particulates in air to improve measurement methods and determine the source of fine particle air pollution. The researcher will use special instruments to quantify and minimize errors in results, aiming to provide more accurate data on air pollution.
The US is responsible for 23% of global greenhouse-gas emissions. The editorial emphasizes the need for changes in law and tax incentives to persuade citizens to use fewer fossil fuels and adopt recycling initiatives.
The ozone layer is showing signs of slowing down its destruction due to the global ban on chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), according to a new study. The research team found that ozone depletion in the upper stratosphere has slowed since 1997, but the trend is not reflected in the lower stratosphere.
The Carnegie Institution's study found that elevated CO2 and nitrogen pollution reduced wildflower diversity, while increased water levels increased overall plant diversity. The four treatment combinations resulted in a decrease in wildflower species but an increase in grasses.
Researchers confirm that particulate air pollution and ozone react with pollutants over Lake Michigan, generating more toxic compounds. City residents may experience high concentrations of hazardous substances before they dissipate, increasing the risk of asthma attacks.
A study by Therese Mar found a significant association between stagnant air and respiratory deaths, as well as cardiovascular deaths. The research used wind data to analyze the effects of air pollution on mortality over a 28-year period.
Recent studies investigate the toxic potential of ultrafine and fine particles, finding worsening health outcomes for people with chronic heart and lung disease. Exposure to small particles also contributes to increased risk of emergency visits, hospitalizations, and death.
Scientists discovered a freshening trend in the Labrador Sea and found that mixing of warm and cool waters may prevent El Nino. Additionally, researchers speculated about the cause of high Arctic ozone loss and suggested Martian methane could be an indicator of subsurface life.
Satellite images from NASA's MOPITT project show high levels of carbon monoxide in regions prone to pollution, such as Southeast Asia and Australia. These images provide a new tool for monitoring air quality and tracking the spread of pollutants over long distances.
Research suggests that reducing air pollution can lead to significant cost savings in healthcare, particularly for outpatient care. The study found a strong correlation between air pollution levels and respiratory admissions, with the greatest hospital admissions occurring in the Deep South.
A new study by UC Davis professor Thomas Cahill found that indoor spaces near Ground Zero can be effectively cleaned of very fine particles and toxins, providing reassurance for residents. However, the study also identified diesel pollution from vehicles in the area as a continuing health threat.
The GISS 'SI2000' climate model demonstrates that global temperature change is mainly a response to human-made forcings, such as carbon dioxide and methane. The study projects possible futures under two contrasting scenarios, with minimal warming if air pollution decreases and CO2 emissions are stabilized.
Researchers used the GISS SI2000 climate model to simulate past and future global temperature changes, finding that human-made forcings are mainly responsible for recent warming. The study suggests that reducing air pollution and stabilizing carbon dioxide emissions could limit warming to 0.75°C over the next 50 years.
Researchers have developed a method to distinguish between human pollution and natural atmospheric particles using MODIS satellite data. This breakthrough allows for more precise quantification of the role of human aerosols in Earth's weather and climate systems.
A UB researcher observed a significant correlation between air pollution and diabetes prevalence in the US, suggesting potential environmental toxins may contribute to the disease. The study found states with high TRI emissions had higher diabetes rates, while low-emission states had lower rates.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that low-income households and child-care facilities in New York state have high levels of air pollutants, including radon, lead, and mold. These pollutants can lead to serious health issues such as lead poisoning, asthma attacks, and allergies.
Researchers studying isoprene emissions from oak trees in Houston have found that these reactions can lead to increased ozone production and ground-level air pollution. The study aims to understand the critical steps in this process to mitigate environmental damage.
Researchers at Ohio State University have synthesized hydrogen thioperoxide (HSOH), a sulfur-containing molecule considered a 'missing link' in its chemical family. The molecule's unique spectral pattern was recorded using a new laboratory instrument, FASSST, allowing scientists to study it for the first time.
A retrospective study of 21,232 farmers in Xuanwei, China found that switching from unvented to vented stoves resulted in a 41% reduction in lung cancer risk for men and 46% for women. Indoor air pollution levels decreased by 65% with the new stove installations.
NASA's SHADOZ project has solved a decade-old mystery about the source of Atlantic ozone, revealing a 'wave-one pattern' that is predominantly in the troposphere. The data also show that the tropical tropopause is not a sharp boundary but a 2-mile thick transition layer.
Aerosols from pollution particles reduce ice crystal sizes in thunderstorms, leading to less precipitation over land. Aerosol levels are highest over Northern Africa, with smaller ice crystals found in clouds above the eastern Pacific and southern Indian Oceans.
Lester, a renowned chemist from Salem, Virginia, has won the ACS E.V. Murphree Award in Industrial and Engineering Chemistry for his pioneering contributions to catalytic converter technology. This innovation has significantly reduced pollutants in automobile exhaust by 99 percent since 1975.
New research suggests that unpolluted forests may exhibit more uniform nitrogen biogeochemistry than previously thought, with complex and idiosyncratic responses to human activities. This challenges long-held assumptions about the ecological function of forests near populated regions.
A nationwide study found long-term exposure to air pollution with high concentrations of tiny particles increases the risk of dying from lung cancer and heart disease. Fine particulate matter levels comparable to second-hand smoke pose significant health risks in polluted cities.
The University of Southern Mississippi has developed an eco-friendly paint, American Pride, which will be used to paint one-fifth of the Pentagon's interior walls. The paint, made from castor oil and other non-toxic materials, has shown exceptional durability and quality in lab tests.
A US study suggests that playing outdoor team sports in areas of high ozone concentration can increase the risk of developing asthma in children. The research found that children who played three or more sports in high-ozone environments were more than three times as likely to develop asthma compared to those who did not participate.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a novel biofiltration technique that uses bacteria to eliminate odors from pulp mill gas streams. The new technology operates at higher temperatures than existing methods, making it more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
The Southern African Regional Science Initiative (SAFARI 2000) study investigated coupled land-atmosphere processes associated with aerosols and trace gases. Key findings show the impact of southern African emissions on climate, as visualized through satellite, airborne, and ground-based observations.
A new study suggests that tiny aerosols from human-produced pollution can weaken the global hydrological cycle, affecting water availability and quality. The research, published in Science, reveals that these particles can limit sunlight reaching the ocean, leading to reduced rainfall over polluted regions.
Researchers measured aerosols in clean marine conditions and under polluted conditions, revealing large concentrations of particulate material including mineral dust. The findings will help reduce uncertainties in global climate models and develop better policies.
Researchers at Texas A&M University found that wind-borne pollutants can travel long distances, contaminating both air and water. They used rain and air samplers to collect pollutants in Corpus Christi Bay and estimated the amounts deposited into the bay area.
A new NASA satellite sensor and field experiment reveals that aerosols can both cool the surface and warm the atmosphere. By analyzing data from the Indian Ocean Experiment (INDOEX) campaign, scientists found a regional cooling effect of up to three times greater than the warming effect of greenhouse gases.
Researchers at Texas A&M University are developing instruments to measure aerosol pollution's impact on climate. The devices will study aerosols' interaction with light, absorption of sunlight, and their effect on cloud formation.
A Penn State researcher explains how atmospheric chemistry can alter the composition of air, affecting environmental quality, and how pollutants like acetone and formaldehyde contribute to ozone production. The study also explores the role of nitrogen oxide in complex chemical reactions that produce hydrogen oxides.
Research finds Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia cases clustered in San Francisco and Cincinnati zip code areas, highlighting epidemiologic features of the infection. Asthmatic children's susceptibility to ozone pollution is linked to low birthweight or prematurity, with boys showing a greater response.
Researchers at MIT found that urban air pollution will not have a big effect on global temperature change, with some regional effects possible. The study used a new method to couple urban air chemistry models with global climate models, allowing for more accurate predictions.
A new polymer additive, polyisobutylene, may dramatically increase mileage and engine power with less pollution. It can produce a 10 percent increase in horsepower and a 20 percent increase in mileage.
High levels of ground-level ozone have been found to severely impact the growth of ozone-sensitive crops on Long Island, including spinach, grapes, pumpkins, watermelons, and tomatoes. This research highlights the urgent need for attention to be paid to ambient ozone levels in agricultural areas.
Ground-level ozone levels are high enough to reduce growth and yield of sensitive plants on Long Island, where important agriculture is located. White clover has been particularly affected, with a 24-27% reduction in growth rate.
Researchers create molecular-level studies of pollutant-catalyst interactions using X-ray diffraction and neutron scattering techniques. Their findings may lead to improved pollution traps by optimizing catalyst design and surface area.
A recent study published in Science reveals that urban and industrial air pollution can suppress rainfall and snowfall by creating clouds with abnormally small water droplets. This phenomenon occurs when pollution particles act as 'seeding' sites, preventing cloud moisture from condensing into raindrops and ice crystals.
The US Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $8.2 million to the University of Washington for a research center studying air pollution and its effects on human health. The Northwest Research Center will examine fine particles, particulate matter under 2.5 microns in size, and their association with daily health outcomes.
Researchers have found detectable levels of tributyltin in Gulf oysters, which can be toxic to crustaceans. Additionally, the Mississippi River has shown improvement in water quality, with a decrease in volatile organic compounds detected since 20 years ago.
Engineers at Purdue University have developed a training program that instructs workers on techniques to minimize styrene emissions. The program resulted in a 42.4% decrease in emissions, with an additional 19% reduction in the quantity of styrene needed for the job.