Articles tagged with Air Pollution
Research integrating natural archive data and modelled atmospheric mercury deposition reveals ecosystem responses to Hg input. Ecosystems like lake sediments exhibit trends similar to atmospheric Hg deposition, while ice and marine sediments show less pronounced responses.
A new study from Tel Aviv University finds minimal environmental pollution resulting from ancient copper production in King Solomon's Mines, with pollution levels confined to smelting furnaces. Researchers also contradict previous claims of widespread industrial pollution, citing low levels of lead and other metals in soil samples.
A review of 3,000 studies suggests microplastics in the air may cause serious health problems, including colon cancer, poor lung function, and infertility. The tiny plastic particles are believed to contribute to chronic pulmonary inflammation, increasing the risk of lung cancer.
A large US study found a strong association between long-term air pollution exposure and an increased risk of blood clots in deep veins, also known as venous thromboembolism. Participants with higher exposure to particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, and nitrogen dioxide had a significantly increased risk of developing these conditions.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that prolonged exposure to wildfire pollution can decrease life expectancy by about one week. Living in green neighborhoods with more extensive greenspaces can be beneficial for health, but even small increases can lead to slight life expectancy gains.
Researchers found that particles can absorb substantially more water than previously thought, potentially extending their time in the atmosphere. This changes how long particles remain suspended in the air and affects strategies for controlling air pollution.
A recent study of Texas high school indoor air revealed the presence of phthalates and PBDEs, linked to cancers, reproductive disorders, and nervous system damage. Researchers found correlations between SVOC concentrations and building characteristics, such as flooring type and classroom design.
The study found a significantly higher proportion of racial and ethnic minority children in 'higher exposure risk schools' compared to the rest of schools. Hispanic and Latino children make up a larger share of these schools, with a greater number having disabilities.
A new analysis from PSE Healthy Energy reveals that fine particulate matter emissions from petrochemical facilities contribute to nearly 1,500 premature deaths annually, with estimated economic impacts of $17 billion. The study found that industry growth led to a 12% increase in greenhouse gas emissions between 2012 and 2021.
Recent studies analyze hurricane damage, water flow into dams, marine heatwaves, and the impact of air pollution on vegetable market prices in South Korea. Hurricane Katrina remains the most damaging U.S. hurricane, while a new system predicts extreme air pollution episodes in India's New Delhi megacity.
A new study from Tulane University analyzed 260 honey samples from 48 states for toxic metals, finding regional differences in contamination levels. The highest arsenic and cobalt levels were found in Pacific Northwest and Southeastern honeys, respectively, while lead was detected in Carolinas honeys.
A multidisciplinary team monitored ambient PAHs levels in Beijing from 2014 to 2021, finding a 96.6% decline in concentrations. The study also showed that air pollution control measures reduced human exposure to airborne toxins like PAHs.
A new study finds that urban communities, lower-income areas, and those with higher proportions of racial minorities have higher estimated cancer risks from air pollution. Despite this, the disparity is decreasing over time, suggesting improvements in air pollution control measures.
A new study finds that fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) exposure is associated with altered immune responses and increased inflammation in pregnant women, leading to adverse birth outcomes. The study highlights the importance of minimizing air pollution exposure in pregnant women to protect maternal and fetal health.
A new study found that exposure to air pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10 increases the risk of persistent long-COVID symptoms, which can last for months or even years after a COVID-19 infection. Vaccination was shown to reduce this risk.
The SNU researchers developed a comprehensive air purification system that removes fine dust, CO2, and volatile organic compounds using water-based purification. The system mimics the gas exchange principles of the human respiratory and circulatory systems, providing a sustainable alternative to existing filtration systems.
A new study by the University of Birmingham has found that air fryers emit significantly lower levels of particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than other cooking methods. The researchers measured pollutant levels in a well-controlled research kitchen and found that improving ventilation can help reduce indoor pollution.
China's carbon mitigation strategies aim to reduce deaths and diseases related to air pollution, such as PM2.5 and ozone, and mitigate climate-related health impacts.
A recent study led by the University of Washington found that higher long-term exposure to wildfire smoke is associated with a significant increase in the odds of developing dementia. The researchers analyzed health records of 1.2 million Southern California residents and found that exposure to wildfire PM2.5 increased the risk of deme...
Research identified community-level factors that may increase individuals' risk of cognitive impairment. Higher neighborhood disadvantage, air pollution, homicide rates, and less greenspace were associated with elevated odds of mild cognitive impairment. Completing schooling in a Southern US state also linked to increased risk.
Researchers at Emory University are investigating how specific types of air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. By analyzing biological responses to air pollution, they aim to identify potential intervention and prevention strategies.
Greg Liu has developed a revolutionary way to convert certain plastics into soaps, detergents, lubricants, and other products through thermolysis. The process breaks down polypropylene and polyethylene molecules into chemical compounds, leaving minimal residual solids and usable oil.
The Center for Translational Exposomics Research (CTER) at USC aims to accelerate environmental health research and find practical solutions. CTER investigates how different exposures impact health across populations using population studies, lab experiments, and community engagement.
A new study by Intermountain Health found that air pollution primarily increases inflammation in patients with heart disease, particularly those with heart failure. Elevated inflammatory markers were observed in these patients during periods of poor air quality, suggesting they are more susceptible to the impacts of air pollution.
A new study published in PLOS ONE suggests that air pollution exposure may be associated with an increased risk of eczema. Data from hundreds of thousands of U.S. adults found that every 10-µm/m3 increase in PM2.5 levels doubles the eczema rate among residents.
Research articles highlight the limitations of the 'tens rule' in invasion ecology, while also showcasing the growing use of crowdsourced science in environmental reviews. Additionally, a study uses artificial intelligence to identify individual animals with high accuracy, improving conservation strategies.
A new study published in Science Advances found that the Arctic Ocean has seen a sharp rise in legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) decades after global regulations were put in place. POPs, which are toxic and bioaccumulative, pose potential dangers to animals and people in the fragile ecosystem's food web.
A new study found that simple kitchen improvements can significantly reduce exposure to harmful pollutants, preventing over 67,000 premature deaths annually. Widespread implementation of ventilation systems could be an affordable solution to mitigate household air pollution in rural areas.
A new meta-analysis suggests that almost a third of asthma cases are attributable to long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), with significant health impacts on children and adults. The study highlights the urgent need for policymakers to combat air pollution through stringent legislation.
A new commentary found that power plants' use of air pollution control devices (APCDs) saved up to 9,100 lives and up to $100 billion in health costs in 2023. The researchers estimated that APCD use could plummet and severely jeopardize the health of the public if Project 2025 or the America First Agenda is enacted.
A recent study found a potential link between air pollution and cognitive impairment, with fine particulate matter exposure correlating with declined cognitive processing time. Systemic inflammation, driven by an increase in monocytes, may act as a key intermediary linking PM2.5 exposure to impaired cognitive function.
Two new studies find that global warming is increasing fire dynamics, particularly in Australia, South America, Western North America, and Siberia, leading to more burned areas. Climate change also increased deaths from fire-related air pollution, with a 15.8% rise in global burned area from 2003 to 2019.
Research finds that increases in air pollution levels correspond with a higher number of patients visiting the hospital emergency department, particularly for cases of trauma, breathing difficulties, and skin conditions. The study suggests that heavy traffic is directly responsible for increased trauma cases and indirectly contributes ...
A new study found that the US air pollution monitoring network has significant gaps in coverage, particularly in historically underrecognized communities. The network's inadequacy to capture exposure disparities has been highlighted as a major concern, with potential health implications for millions of people.
A research team led by Dr. Franco Marcantonio found significant lead pollution in a Tibetan glacier starting in 1974, with highest levels between 2000 and 2007. The team traced the source of pollution to Chinese gasoline emissions containing lead until its phasedown after 2007.
Researchers at UCR discovered a low-cost method to significantly reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from hydrogen engines by infusing platinum with highly porous Y zeolites. The system converts nitrogen oxides into harmless substances, promoting cleaner alternatives to diesel engines.
A new study reveals that green education can nurture a generation of eco-leaders to tackle climate change and environmental issues in the Middle East and North Africa. The study recommends integrating sustainability into national curricula, providing sustainable funding for education initiatives, and monitoring evaluation systems.
Researchers investigate how pollutants affect pollinators' ability to recognize flower scents and how neural circuits adapt to temperature fluctuations in organisms like the roundworm. The study focuses on understanding resilience mechanisms that enable animals to cope with environmental changes.
Researchers at Wayne State University are exploring the connections between PFAS exposure, bacterial infections, and preterm birth. The study aims to identify critical pathways responsible for preterm birth and establish a causative link between pollutant exposures and adverse birth outcomes.
A systematic review of 40 studies found associations between outdoor air pollution and differences in children's brain volumes, connections, and markers for Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that even low-level pollution can impact brain development, highlighting the need for policy changes to reduce exposure.
A new study reveals high levels of airborne plasticizers in Southern California, including phthalates known to cause reproductive harm and cancer. The study uses silicone wristbands to track exposure to these chemicals, finding that daily levels are both high and persistent.
According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), lung cancer is the most common type of cancer, with 2.2 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths worldwide in 2020. China had the highest number of new cases, and incidence and mortality rates have been steadily rising from 1990 to 2019.
A large cohort study found that early exposure to air pollutants like PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides can alter the development of white matter in the brain, with some effects persisting throughout adolescence.
A Dartmouth-led study found that air pollution from fossil fuels reaches the remote Arctic, altering its fundamental atmospheric chemistry. The researchers detected declines in methanesulfonic acid, a biomarker linked to phytoplankton productivity, which plummeted in environments high in emissions.
Industrial fishing practices in tropical and subtropical waters release high levels of methylmercury into the ocean. The majority of this mercury is found in large pelagic fish like tuna, which are then consumed by humans. This can lead to developmental delays in children and impaired cardiovascular health in adults.
A population-based study found that air pollution may lower Parkinson disease risk by modifying the disease phenotype and reducing dyskinesia. The study suggests a potential connection between air quality and Parkinson's disease progression.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that higher exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) during infancy is associated with lower economic earnings in adulthood. The association was strongest in the Midwest and South, where an increase in PM2.5 exposure by one microgram per cubic meter was linked t...
Two studies found that long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of hospitalization for respiratory conditions, including asthma and COPD. Green spaces may actually increase emergency room visits for respiratory issues when combined with hay fever.
Researchers have found elevated 'oxidative potential' in sediments from the Great Salt Lake's playa, indicating a greater risk to human health. The sediments contain high levels of toxic metals, including lead, manganese, and arsenic, which can cause respiratory issues like asthma.
A Danish study found long-term exposure to air pollution and road traffic noise increases the risk of infertility in both men and women. Men exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 had a 24% increased risk of infertility, while women over 35 years old exposed to louder road traffic noise had a 14% increased risk.
A worldwide survey by Goethe University Frankfurt found that students in environmental studies are unaware of the main causes of biodiversity loss. The study identified eight response types with varying levels of understanding, with climate change being underestimated in many countries. The researchers suggest that this lack of knowled...
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health found associations between depression and unhealthy commodities such as alcohol, tobacco, gambling, social media, ultra-processed foods, and air pollution. The review also highlighted links between these commodities and suicide, self-harm, and anxiety.
A study found that counties with higher levels of structural racism had a 7.8-times higher estimated risk of developing cancer from traffic-related air pollutants, emphasizing the need for policies to address racial inequalities in exposure to carcinogenic traffic pollution.
A team of researchers from Empa and the University of Bristol used a novel tracer gas method to accurately measure HFC-23 emissions from a Teflon factory. The study found that abatement measures were effective in reducing emissions, but discrepancies between reported and actual emissions suggest need for independent verification.
A University of Gothenburg study found that occupational exposure to particles in the construction industry may increase the risk of chronic kidney disease. Construction workers exposed to high levels of dust and particles were about 15% more likely to be diagnosed with the condition.
Research finds that weather patterns play a crucial role in triggering complex air pollution in Dongying, China. The study identifies specific synoptic patterns that contribute to the formation of fine particulate matter and ozone pollution, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to mitigate these issues.
A new USC study led by Caleb Finch shows how feeding mice the drug GSM-15606 provided protection against air pollution-related increases in proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease. The results indicate that GSM-15606 may one day have a role as a preventive measure against Alzheimer's in people living with air pollution.
Researchers developed a new metric, R_AOD, to detect climate change using aerosols as tracers. They analyzed long-term satellite data and found significant temporal variations in aerosol transport, highlighting shifts in transboundary pollution pathways due to global warming.
Researchers found a significant spike in fine-particle air pollutant levels after the display, with some areas exceeding 1,000 micrograms per cubic meter, compared to NYC's average daily concentration of 15 micrograms.
A study by McGill University researchers has found a link between ultrafine particle exposure and increased mortality risk, particularly for respiratory deaths and coronary artery disease. Long-term exposure to these tiny particles is associated with a 7.3% increase in non-accidental death risk.