Articles tagged with Air Quality
Wildfire smoke plumes spread across the US, causing devastating effects on air quality and health. Researchers found that smoke from wildfires can tip air quality to unhealthy levels, particularly in urban areas with high population densities.
A study by University of Utah Health and Intermountain Healthcare found that bad air quality in the region causes more than 200 pneumonia cases each year, with older adults being particularly vulnerable. The research also estimates that improving air quality could save up to $1.6 million in healthcare costs annually.
A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that air quality alert programs, like Toronto's, had limited effects on protecting public health. However, the authors suggest that collective and enforceable actions, such as improved urban planning and emission control, may be more effective in reducing health risks from air poll...
A large study found that short-term exposure to air pollution at levels below current standards was associated with a higher risk of death in Medicare patients. Daily increases in fine particulate matter and ozone were linked to increased mortality rates, even when levels were below the national air quality standards.
The Low Emission Zone in Leipzig has significantly reduced the concentration of black carbon and ultrafine particles, which are believed to be most dangerous due to their carcinogenic trace compounds. The reduction of these particles resulted in a significant improvement of air quality and a reduced health risk for the population.
A study published in The BMJ found that air pollution from road traffic in London is associated with an increased risk of low birth weight babies born at full term. Exposure to PM2.5 pollutants was linked to a 2-6% increased odds of low birth weight and 1-3% increased odds of being small for gestational age.
New research by UNC Chapel Hill shows that global GHG reductions will significantly benefit US air quality and human health in 2050. Foreign GHG mitigation efforts contribute substantially to reduced deaths from PM2.5 and O3-related mortality, with co-benefits estimated at $137 per ton CO2.
A new study published in Environmental Research Letters confirms China's clean air action has reduced PM2.5 concentrations by 21% since 2013. The study estimates that premature mortality related to PM2.5 pollution decreased by 9% due to improved air quality.
A review of over 60 studies found road pricing to be the most effective strategy to reduce emissions and traffic. Low-emission zones also encourage cleaner vehicles and reduce driving, leading to improved air quality.
Researchers propose switchgrass as a solution to China's poor air quality by reducing particulate emissions from soil erosion. The crop's ability to hold soil and produce biomass makes it an attractive alternative to coal, with potential for widespread adoption in the Loess Plateau region.
A new study found that deep-sea dispersant injection improved air quality for responders at the Deepwater Horizon disaster site. The subsea injection may have broken up petroleum into smaller droplets, reducing volatile toxic compounds in the air and allowing responders to work longer without respirators.
A new AI-powered traffic management system called SimplifAI will be tested in Manchester, aiming to reduce congestion and improve air quality. The system, developed by Professor Lee McCluskey and his team, can analyze data and devise complex strategies in a fraction of the time required by human operators.
A recent survey reveals that air pollution has a significant impact on bird health, reproductive success, and diversity. Only two field studies have been conducted since 1950 on the topic, highlighting the need for further research.
A new study found that installing 'cool roofs' in Southern California could lead to small increases in ozone and fine particulate pollution levels. The predicted increase can be minimized by requiring more comprehensive performance standards for cool-roofing materials.
Research from the University of Leicester and EarthSense reveals associations between air pollution and type 2 diabetes in a large cross-sectional study. Demographic factors largely explained the association, but the study suggests continued research into potential long-term exposure factors.
Air quality in China is improving due to better monitoring and regulation, leading to increased demand for electric cars and pollution-fighting technologies. The government's efforts have made China a major market for these devices, with suppliers experiencing a boon as the country transitions to cleaner energy sources.
A new Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study found that long-term exposure to certain air pollutants increases the risk of premature death among US seniors. The research suggests lowering levels of airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone could save up to 12,000 lives annually.
A UM chemist will lead a three-year research project studying the chemical composition and evolution of western wildfire smoke. The study aims to improve understanding of the impact of VOCs on air quality, climate, and human health.
Researchers create most detailed and extensive local map of air pollution ever produced for an urban area, mapping air quality on a block-by-block basis. The study reveals air pollution can vary dramatically even within a single city block.
A new study by San Diego State University researchers found that cigarette smoke, marijuana smoking, and candles are significant sources of airborne particles in homes. The study also discovered that frying food and cleaning products increase fine particle levels, posing a risk to children's health.
A new study published in Atmospheric Environment suggests that low hedges can be more effective than taller trees in reducing urban air pollution. Strategically placed low hedges can help mitigate the impact of traffic emissions in cityscapes with large buildings close to roads.
Reduced natural dust from the Gobi Desert leads to increased man-made pollution over eastern China due to reduced temperature differential between sea and land, resulting in weaker winds and air stagnation. This has a profound effect on climate and air quality, with cleaner air observed two to three days after wind-borne dust arrives.
Researchers develop new method to calculate indoor CO2 concentrations more accurately, using established concepts from human metabolism and exercise physiology. The new approach considers body size, composition, diet, and physical activity to provide a more reliable estimate of CO2 generation rates.
A team of researchers led by Colorado State University is conducting a comprehensive study to better understand how wildfire smoke changes chemically with time, affecting air quality across the US. The study aims to improve predictions of air quality and weather patterns.
A new study found that Toronto's subways have the highest levels of airborne particulate matter in Canada, with average values up to 100 micrograms per cubic metre, compared to Montreal's 36 micrograms and Vancouver's 17 micrograms. The high metal content and abrasive wear on steel wheels may be contributing factors.
Experts predict that adopting and enforcing tighter air quality standards in China could save 3 million premature deaths each year, primarily due to a decrease in cardiorespiratory diseases. The study found that bringing PM10 levels to the WHO standard of 20 μg/m3 would have significant public health benefits.
A new study from UCI researchers finds that prolonged hot spells and poor air quality combine to worsen health impacts. The study analyzed 15 years of surface observations in the eastern US and Canada, finding a significant increase in adverse health effects when these factors overlap.
A new study from Rice University found that African-American and poor children in Houston have a higher proportion of asthma due to social inequalities in their neighborhoods. Children living in poor neighborhoods, regardless of race, are more likely to develop asthma compared to those in middle-class or affluent areas.
The NASA team is using satellites to provide real-time air quality data, making it easier for policymakers, doctors, and lawyers to track changes in rural and suburban areas. By collaborating with experts from various fields, the team aims to develop new ways to use satellite data to address pressing public health issues.
A novel air quality model, REGiS, can predict surface ozone levels up to 48 hours in advance by combining statistical models with weather patterns. This method provides a 48-hour heads-up for air quality forecasters and decision-makers to mitigate unhealthy ozone level formation.
A University of Washington study found that the unusual warm patch of seawater, nicknamed 'the blob,' had a cascading effect on air quality in the Western US. Ozone levels increased above average due to high temperatures, low cloud cover, and calm air, posing health risks.
A study by UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business found that Mexico City's Saturday driving restrictions have negligible impact on air quality. The program, which restricts vehicles with license plates ending in '5' or '6', did not lead to a decrease in pollution levels for any of the eight major pollutants monitored. Instead, experts r...
A new study investigates how cookstove emissions contribute to both indoor air quality issues and global climate change. The research reveals that reducing cookstove use in certain countries, such as Azerbaijan and Ukraine, could have the largest positive impact on climate change, despite not being major users of residential cookstoves.
Psychology researcher Gregory Thomas found that people have about three months to change their commuting habit before the opportunity for new habits diminishes. Recent home movers with stronger environmental views tend to choose greener modes of transportation immediately after moving.
Children in China are exposed to air pollution and lack of physical activity, posing serious health risks. Experts recommend addressing both issues through education, monitoring, and adjusting physical activities based on air quality.
The $250,000 award from Meyer Memorial Trust supports BREATHE Oregon's efforts to provide scientific data, legal analysis and community outreach to inform policy decisions on air quality in Portland and Oregon.
Wildfires in Indonesia and Borneo exposed 69 million people to unhealthy air pollution, resulting in thousands of premature deaths. The study estimates that between 6,150 and 17,270 premature deaths occurred due to breathing in the polluted air.
A CSU-developed air quality sampler, TPS100, will be sent to the International Space Station to collect airborne particles and address astronaut health concerns. The device uses thermophoresis to capture nanoparticles and has been tested in lab settings before its upcoming space mission.
Researchers found that cloth masks are only marginally beneficial in protecting people from particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers, and remove only 39-65% of standard particles. The most commonly used cloth mask products perform poorly compared to alternative options.
The project aims to investigate the effectiveness of giving communities access to low-cost portable air pollution monitoring devices in improving air quality and addressing environmental justice concerns. The researchers will educate adults, facilitate cross-community collaboration, and encourage beneficial policy decisions.
Reducing ozone and fine particulate matter to protective levels could save 9,320 lives annually, reduce serious illnesses by 21,400, and decrease impacted days by 19.3 million. The study highlights the benefits of stricter standards in metropolitan areas with high air pollution concentrations.
A new study suggests that improvements in air quality over the Potomac watershed led to recent progress on water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. Researchers found a nearly universal improvement in water quality, with decreasing nitrate concentrations and reversing nitrogen saturation in the basin.
Research suggests that certain microbes in the air can be beneficial for human health, reducing allergy rates and improving immune function. By designing buildings with ventilation systems that bring in fresh outdoor air, architects can facilitate exposure to these beneficial microbes.
New research reveals that households in Beijing contribute significantly to outdoor pollution, producing 50% of black carbon emissions and 69% of organic carbon emissions. The use of solid fuels for heating and cooking in homes is a major source of ill health in China, with air pollution ranking as a leading cause of premature death.
Scientists discovered 39 unreported and significant sources of toxic sulfur dioxide emissions using a new satellite-based method. The data reveals that these sources account for about 12 percent of all human-made emissions, impacting regional air quality significantly.
Severe air quality issues persist in Fort McMurray due to ongoing wildfires, with a Health Quality Index of 10+ reported in the region. The fire, covering over 522,892 hectares, remains out of control, prompting evacuation orders for multiple communities.
Researchers found the Bakken Formation in North Dakota and Montana emits roughly 2% of global ethane, equivalent to 250,000 tons per year. This single region's emissions are 10-100 times larger than reported inventories and impact air quality across North America.
A new study led by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that even low levels of air pollution can harm children's lung function. Children living close to major roadways had decreased lung function by age 8, with exposure to fine particulate matter and soot being the main factors.
Researchers found that exhaled e-cigarette particles are liquid droplets that evaporate rapidly, unlike smoking conventional cigarettes. The study suggests vaping indoors is unlikely to pose an air quality issue.
Indoor air pollution from smoke, building materials, and spores kills millions each year. The research aims to combat air quality issues with smart city technologies and real-time data monitoring. Dr. Prashant Kumar explains the need for better indoor pollution monitoring to protect human health.
A USC study found that improved air quality in the Los Angeles region has led to a significant reduction in respiratory symptoms among children, including bronchitic symptoms. The study tracked 4,602 children over 20 years and found a 16-32% decrease in these symptoms, even among those without asthma.
A study in Southern California found significant reductions in bronchitic symptoms among children due to decreases in air pollution levels. The analysis of 4,602 children aged 5-18 years revealed a proportional association between improved air quality and decreased respiratory issues, particularly among those with asthma.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that exposure to even low levels of air pollution affects children's lung function. Children living near major highways showed significant reductions in lung function, with those exposed to higher levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) a...
Researchers at Washington State University will use new modeling techniques to predict air pollution changes in the western US due to climate change. The study will focus on small particulate matter, a major contributor to health issues like asthma and lung cancer.
A new study found that daily e-cigarette formaldehyde exposure from three formats is well below the World Health Organization's safe levels. The results showed that even heavy use of these products still only results in daily formaldehyde exposure less than one-sixth of indoor air quality standards.
A University of Leeds study reveals EU policies have reduced air pollution across Europe, preventing an estimated 80,000 premature deaths per year. The findings demonstrate a 35% decrease in fine particles since 1970, significantly improving public health.
Research found a significant correlation between air quality and stroke cases, with higher PM2.5 levels in the South linked to a higher prevalence of stroke. Temperature also played a role in air quality and stroke risk.
New research shows that more than half of the world's 5.5 million premature deaths due to air pollution occur in China and India. The study highlights the urgent need for even more aggressive strategies to reduce emissions from coal and other sectors.
Anne Thompson has received the 2015 Roger Revelle Medal for her groundbreaking research on ozone and other trace gases in the troposphere and stratosphere. Her work, conducted in the 1980s and early 1990s, established a link between chemical changes, climate forcings, and the earth's oxidizing capacity.
High-resolution satellite maps track air pollution trends over the last decade, revealing a human fingerprint on global air quality. Nitrogen dioxide levels have decreased significantly in the US and Western Europe due to environmental regulations, while China saw an increase in emissions.