Articles tagged with Air Pollution
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Researchers found that a community-specific approach eliminated pollution disparities and reduced overall pollution exposure. The new strategy targeted specific locations with high emissions, effectively addressing decades-long disparities in air quality.
Sharing real-time air quality readings can reduce fine particulate concentration levels by 2-4 micrograms per cubic metre each year, leading to significant health benefits. The research estimates annual health benefits of $171 million AUD for the median city.
The researchers developed a conformable multimodal sensor face mask (cMaSK) with 17 sensors around the edge of the mask that measure capacitance, temperature, humidity, air pressure, and other parameters. The study found that mask fit was significantly worse for women than men due to gender-related differences in face shape and size.
A UMass Amherst researcher is developing an eco-friendly drift reduction agent using essential oils derived from food waste to reduce pesticide use, while also creating a potentially scalable process for plant-based seafood that mimics the texture of fish meat.
A newly developed composite sponge-based air filter has demonstrated strong potential for applications in automobiles and industry, with high efficiency in removing particulate matter under harsh conditions. The filter's unique design and materials ensure good structural stability and adaptability to various environments.
Excess ground-level ozone damages plant foliage, alters flowering patterns, and blocks pollinators' access to flowers. Ozone also disrupts plant-pollinator communication through altered chemical signatures.
The study found that kitchens with more people present during cooking sessions exhibited higher carbon dioxide levels. Kitchens with both doors and windows open during cooking showed optimal thermal comfort conditions, reducing CO2 levels by 14%. Cleaner fuels and electric appliances can reduce CO2 levels within a kitchen by over 32%.
A Brazilian study of 26,616 tree falls in São Paulo found that building height and neighborhood age are key factors influencing the risk of tree failure. Sidewalk width and tree height were also found to be significant variables. The research provides valuable insights for urban planning and tree management in the city.
A new study found that ultrafine particle concentration decreased by 48% during the COVID-19 state-of-emergency period due to reduced aviation and road activity. This reduction corresponded with flight activity dropping by 74% and highway traffic volume decreasing by 51%.
A study found that high levels of air pollution were associated with increased risks of transitioning from healthy to having a stroke, cardiovascular events after stroke, and death. Exposure to particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, and nitrogen dioxide was linked to these outcomes.
Researchers found that air pollutants, particularly fine particles and nitrogen dioxide, increase the risk of COVID-19 hospitalizations up to 30% in vaccinated individuals. Long-term exposure also worsens outcomes, even among those fully vaccinated, highlighting the importance of improving indoor air quality.
Research finds that short-term air pollution exposure increases risk of hospital admission for autistic children, with boys more at risk than girls. The study suggests that reducing air pollution could lower these risks and improve quality of life for affected individuals.
Researchers found that fatty acids in cooking emissions form a stable film on surfaces, protecting trapped pollutants from breakdown. This film can become rougher and attract water, trapping toxins underneath.
A new study reveals that conifers release substantial quantities of volatile organic compounds in response to bark-feeding weevils, providing cues to neighboring seedlings. This complex communication process is altered by air pollution.
A new study found that decarbonization efforts in Texas significantly reduce air pollution-related health effects, offsetting the cost of these efforts. However, Black and low-income communities still face higher levels of air pollution and related health effects.
Scientists have discovered a link between air pollution and lung cancer in people who have never smoked. Exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) has been shown to promote cancerous changes in airway cells with EGFR and KRAS gene mutations, driving them towards a cancer stem cell-like state.
A team of researchers found microplastics in water trapped in plant leaf axils, a first-time discovery that highlights the global risk of contamination. The study, conducted in Slovakia, used teasel phytotelmata, small aquatic ecosystems formed by plants, to detect the presence of microplastics.
Late-breaking results at ESMO Congress 2022 reveal a strong association between air pollution and non-small cell lung cancer, with exposure to particulate matter linked to increased risk. The research underscores the need for environmental sustainability in oncology, particularly in cancer prevention and early detection.
A new study found that low-income pregnant women living in polluted neighborhoods had a 60% increased risk of testing positive for COVID-19. The study, led by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, examined the relationship between long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and COVID-19 test results.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) have developed a more robust and realistic general method for dealing with wind-driven phenomena in geostatistical modeling, which promises to greatly improve the accuracy of pollutant dispersion prediction.
A new study found that exposure to diesel exhaust fumes had more pronounced effects on females than males, with changes in blood components related to inflammation, infection, and cardiovascular disease. The research involved ten healthy volunteers who breathed filtered air and polluted air at varying concentrations.
Researchers analyzed satellite-based data to study daily variations in air quality across 11 major US cities, revealing disproportionate impacts on economically disadvantaged communities. The findings suggest climate change could exacerbate these differences, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to reduce emissions and impr...
A meta-analysis of nearly 300 studies reveals a higher hypertension prevalence in urban areas but with a narrowing gap over time and socio-economic development, indicating rapid increase in rural areas. The study highlights the need for increased awareness and control measures in rural areas to address the growing burden of hypertension.
A study by Tel Aviv University researchers found a unique oral microbiotic signature in the saliva of veteran soldiers with PTSD, which may help diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder objectively. The study also showed that people with PTSD exhibit the same picture of bacteria in their saliva as those who have experienced combat stres...
The COVID-19 lockdowns led to a significant reduction in soot emissions in Europe, with an average decrease of 41% in the lower troposphere. This improvement in air quality is attributed to reduced fossil fuel burning and limited travel.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem discovered that coarse sea spray significantly reduces the amount of lightning in storm clouds. The study found that aerosols larger than 1 micron, or coarse sea spray, inhibit lightning by up to 90%, while smaller aerosols actually increase lightning and affect rainfall.
A study by Columbia University and Drexel University found that the transition to cleaner fuels and engines in New York City's bus fleet led to declines in air pollution concentrations, including nitrogen oxides and black carbon. The findings suggest that similar changes can be realized in other cities to mitigate air pollution.
A new study used satellite data to determine the effect of fuel regulations on sulfur pollution from cargo ships. The research team found significant changes in pollution after regulations went into effect, and their data can contribute to understanding how pollutants interact with clouds and affect global temperatures.
New evidence from Antarctica shows toxic fluorinated forever chemicals have increased markedly in recent decades, with scientists believing CFC-replacements are a likely source. The most abundant chemical discovered was perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), which has been linked to human exposure and immune system impairment.
A new online tool from NIST offers a solution to regularly check ventilation by measuring indoor carbon dioxide levels. The Quick Indoor CO2 (QICO2) calculator takes into account factors like occupants, outdoor CO2 levels, and building size to provide accurate results.
A new study led by the University of Washington strengthens evidence that air pollution can harm childhood behavioral problems and IQ. Researchers found prenatal and postnatal exposure to nitrogen dioxide and small-particle air pollution were associated with poorer child behavioral functioning and cognitive performance.
Researchers developed an automated method to create 3D images of leaked gas clouds, enabling precise location, volume, and concentration determination. This technology can provide early leak warnings, assess risk, or determine the best way to fix leaks in large facilities with stored toxic chemicals.
A new study found that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure is associated with an increased risk of having a cluster of multiple chronic diseases, particularly cardio-metabolic and respiratory conditions. The analysis revealed four distinct multimorbidity clusters, with lower PM2.5 exposure linked to musculoskeletal conditions.
A new study found that exposure to air pollution and indoor burning without ventilation significantly increases the risk of heart disease mortality. Researchers created maps of eight environmental risk factors across Golestan Province, Iran, and identified associations between death and these factors, controlling for traditional risk f...
A recent study published in Environment International found that young adults exposed to higher levels of ambient and household air pollution had poorer lung function. Household air pollution from unvented biomass stoves was particularly detrimental, causing a significant decrease in lung capacity.
A nationwide study by UTEP researchers found that public housing residents experience higher levels of fine particulate matter, disproportionately affecting Black, Hispanic, disabled, and low-income populations. The study highlights the need for environmental, public health, and housing policies to address air pollution disparities.
A new study reveals that inhaled fine particles can take a direct route from lungs to brain through blood circulation, potentially contributing to brain disorders. The particles were found to stay longer in the brain than in other organs, raising concerns about the long-term effects of air pollution on cognitive function.
A recent study found that higher exposure to air pollution is associated with increased functional brain connectivity among several brain regions in preadolescents. The findings also identify the first years of life as the most sensitive period for exposure to air pollution, with black carbon particles being the most associated polluta...
A new analysis by University of Pittsburgh scientists demonstrates that institutional racism, rather than race-based biology, worsens asthma severity in Black people. The study links discriminatory lending practices from the 1930s to long-term environmental and health inequities, particularly in historically redlined neighborhoods.
Climate-related events and air pollution disproportionately affect socially and economically disadvantaged children, exacerbating health issues such as preterm birth, respiratory illness, and malnutrition. The authors emphasize the need for simultaneous adaptation and mitigation strategies to protect children's health.
A study found that US adults receiving hemodialysis with high air pollution exposure have more heart attacks and strokes compared to those with low exposure. The strongest associations were noted among patients who were Asian, older, or had chronic lung disease at dialysis initiation.
A University of Washington-led team found that people in China with higher socioeconomic status are more exposed to outdoor air pollution. The study discovered a unique correlation between socioeconomic status and ambient air pollution levels, which runs counter to existing studies conducted in the US.
Long-term measurements at Mount Heng in southern China found acidic and more soluble ions in freezing rain, leading to decreased ambient temperatures. This process prolongs the existence of freezing rain, amplifying its effects in northern China as global warming shifts its influencing area
A new study by the University of Washington calculates the impact of past emissions on future warming. By 2029, there's a two-thirds chance of exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius warming, even if all emissions cease, and by 2057, there's a similar chance for 2 degrees Celsius.
A German study has found a link between long-term exposure to air pollution and the severity of COVID-19 disease. The research, presented at the Euroanaesthesia Congress in Milan, Italy, found that counties with higher levels of nitrogen dioxide had more ICU beds occupied and mechanical ventilation needed for COVID-19 patients.
A study by researchers at the University of Oldenburg found that spider webs are contaminated with varying levels of microplastic particles, including PET and PVC. The team discovered that the amount of plastic particles in the webs depends on location, with roads having high traffic volumes producing more microplastics.
A new study suggests achieving a 50% reduction in US greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 is possible through increasing renewable capacity and transitioning to electric vehicles. This would limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, aligning with the UN's climate target.
A new UCLA study reveals how air pollutants affect placental cells, leading to pregnancy complications and infant health issues. Chronic exposure to traffic-related pollutants triggers immune activation, attacking vital placental cells and disrupting nutrient supply.
A comprehensive study by Hong Kong University of Science and Technology revealed that anthropogenic low-volatility organic vapors play a critical role in forming secondary organic aerosols (SOA) and haze pollution in urban environments. The research found that oxidation of VOCs dominates OOMs formation, with nitrogen oxides significant...
Long-term exposure to air pollutants like PM2.5, NO2, and O3 increases the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes, including ICU admissions and deaths. The study analyzed data from over 151,000 people in Ontario, Canada, and found a significant association between chronic air pollution exposure and more severe COVID-19 severity.
A new report from the InterAcademy Partnership highlights the severe impacts of climate change on human health, including increased risk of heat-related illnesses and food insecurity. The report calls for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen disease surveillance systems to mitigate these effects.
A new study finds that reducing emissions of short-lived climate pollutants like methane and ozone can cut the rate of global warming in half by 2050. This approach offers a fighting chance to prevent catastrophic warming and improve our chances of remaining below the 1.5 degree centigrade mark.
A new study by USC researchers found a significant link between exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Long-term PM2.5 exposure was associated with a higher risk of mortality from COVID-19.
A new Stanford University study reveals that US power plants generating electricity for export account for approximately 700 premature deaths in 2019. The majority of these health damages occur within the states where the power is both generated and used, but large discrepancies exist across regions.
Researchers found rocket exhaust gases can remain high in altitude, producing thermal nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide that can affect the Earth's climate. The team modeled fluid dynamics of rocket exhaust gases to understand the impact on atmospheric pollution.
The Lancet report states that air pollution, water pollution, and chemical pollution are responsible for nine million deaths globally. Despite declining mortality from traditional pollution, industrial pollution has increased over the past two decades, offsetting these gains.
Researchers found that COPD leads to premature senescence of the immune system, reducing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. This disruption impairs the immune system, making COPD patients more susceptible to infections.
A Colorado State University-led study found greater natural gas leak densities in communities with low-income or majority non-white populations compared to predominantly white neighborhoods. The research highlights the need for improved equity in gas distribution systems to enhance health and safety outcomes.
Researchers estimate that by 2040, up to 80 million metric tons of plastic will be annually released into the ocean. The study reveals that wind transport contributes significantly to plastic particle distribution in remote regions. Integrating microplastic into air pollution measurements is crucial for better understanding its effects.
Researchers aim to improve stability and efficiency of catalytic materials using quantum mechanics-based calculations and computational simulations. The goal is to create more effective catalysts that reduce pollution and energy consumption.