Articles tagged with Air Quality
A study by UC Davis researchers found that laboratory chamber walls can suppress the formation of secondary organic aerosol in the atmosphere. This effect has contributed to underpredictions of SOA concentrations in regional air quality models, which impacts air quality and climate.
A wildfire broke out in the foothills of Angeles National Forest, spreading quickly and prompting air quality concerns. Nearly 500 firefighters battled the blaze, which destroyed over 1,700 acres and at least two homes due to gusty winds and low humidity.
Researchers are monitoring air pollution levels and their impact on health using advanced methods like X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The study aims to measure the specific chemical makeup of polluted air and its effects on human health.
Air quality in Greece has deteriorated by 30% since the financial crisis, with fine particles lodged deep into lung tissue posing health risks. Burning cheaper fuel sources like wood and trash for heating has contributed to this issue.
A month-long study by University of Houston aims to enhance air quality forecasting using satellite data and numerical models. The team collected extensive data from mobile labs, aircraft, and satellites to develop more accurate pollution sensors.
A new study by Brigham Young University professor Arden Pope found a 35% reduction in deaths and disability attributable to air pollution in the US since 1990. This improvement is attributed to cleaner air quality, with significant reductions in cardiovascular disease and respiratory problems.
The Rim Fire has burned over 385 square miles, 80% containment achieved, but low humidity threatens growth. Spot fires remain a concern, with firefighters patrolling to mop up and monitor lines.
A Harvard University study projects that wildfires in the western United States will be three weeks longer, up to twice as smoky, and burn a wider area by 2050. Climate change is expected to exacerbate fire season due to warmer temperatures.
Citizens in Greater Bilbao value the cultural services of Green Belt ecosystems, such as leisure and tranquillity, with nearly all respondents aware that ecosystems provide services. The study highlights the need for citizen participation and proper regulation to preserve these valuable ecosystem services.
A series of forest fires near James Bay, Quebec have consumed over 617,000 acres of land, causing air quality problems for Canadians and Americans. The smoke has been pushed by winds to southern Ontario and the northeastern US state of Maine.
Researchers in the Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study (SOAS) investigate how chemical reactions between human-related pollution and plant-emitted VOCs affect air quality in the U.S. Southeast. The project aims to uncover the controlling processes of biosphere-atmosphere interactions, which can impact regional climate and air chemistry.
The Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research advocates for tightening the Air Quality Directive to set better standards, improve air quality, and protect human health. Researchers recommend regulating pollutants like particulate matter, ground-level ozone, and benzo(a)pyrene to reduce the negative impacts of air pollution.
A fast-moving brush fire broke out in Riverside County, forcing the evacuation of several communities and destroying one home. Over 400 firefighters have been working to contain the nearly 3,000-acre Summit Fire.
A recent study published in Atmospheric Environment found that air pollution from wildland fires and urban areas is reducing air quality at Devils Postpile National Monument. Ozone concentrations exceeded California standards, posing a risk to sensitive individuals, and may have phytotoxic effects on plants.
OzoneMap is a free mobile app that provides real-time air quality reports for the greater Houston area. It features a map of the city with colored clouds illustrating ozone levels, allowing users to select from three different maps and access information on health effects.
A team of graduate students from Concordia University developed a watchdog tool to evaluate the level of compliance between urban planning goals and environmental impact assessments of development projects. The study found that the proposal adopted in 2009 for the Turcot highway interchange was inadequate for long-term sustainability.
Researchers have developed small, portable sensors that can track ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide levels in the air. These sensors, part of the CitiSense system, allow users to monitor their local air quality on their smartphones, providing valuable insights into pollution patterns.
Four finalists have been selected in the My Air, My Health Challenge to create wearable sensors that measure airborne pollutants and related physiological data. The challenge aims to spur development of personal devices gathering health and air quality data for long-term health outcomes.
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory will build the TEMPO instrument, which will monitor major air pollutants across the North American continent hourly. This will enable scientists to improve emission inventories and evaluate effective emission-control strategies.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research is launching a three-year, international study to analyze the effects of smoke from traditional cooking methods on human health. The researchers will combine sensors with computer models to examine links between air pollutants and diseases such as meningitis in northern Ghana.
A CU-Boulder-led team will examine social, ecological, and economic aspects of natural gas development. The project aims to provide a framework for society to evaluate the trade-offs associated with the benefits and costs of natural gas development.
A Tufts University researcher has developed a new statistical model that estimates air pollution exposure for previous time periods where direct data is lacking. The study shows that air quality improves when unemployment rises.
Better air quality indicators are needed to address the risks of global urbanization on health. The World Health Organization estimates that outdoor air pollution causes 1.34 million premature deaths annually, with many low- and middle-income countries lacking reliable data.
A new hand-held sensor detects high levels of carbon dioxide in classroom air, which can cause drowsiness and negatively impact learning. The sensor's data can help optimize HVAC systems to improve indoor air quality.
The Houston Clean Air Network provides real-time air quality updates using maps of the greater Houston area. The site allows users to track ozone levels and plan their day accordingly, benefiting those with health concerns about ozone or respiratory illnesses like asthma.
A 2009-2010 study by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre found an average 66% decrease in sulphur dioxide concentrations in EU harbors, while non-EU ports showed no change. The policy limits fuel sulfur content to less than 0.1%.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University reveals that biogenic particles formed from pine tree emissions are chemically transformed by free radicals, altering their properties and concentrations. This finding can help improve climate and air quality prediction models and enable regulatory agencies to make more effective decisions.
The air quality worldwide will be as bad as it already is nowadays in urban areas of Southeast Asia by 2050 if no action is taken. Eastern China and northern India are expected to experience drastic decreases in air quality, while the Arabian Gulf region and North America will see an increase in ozone levels.
A study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics predicts that most of the world's population will face degraded air quality by 2050 if man-made emissions continue as usual. The average world citizen will experience similar air pollution to today's average East Asian citizen, resulting in severe health effects.
A study by the University of Sheffield found that kitchen air quality can be hazardous, with nitrogen dioxide levels three times higher than recommended outside concentrations. The research highlights the need for more data on indoor pollutants and calls for action to improve home air quality.
A recent study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has pinpointed indoor air quality risks in the United Arab Emirates as a significant health concern. The research found that residents are exposed to high levels of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and formaldehyde, which can lead to respiratory iss...
A Rice University study found that federal efforts were most effective at reducing pollutants, while state implementation plans played a smaller role. The study's findings suggest that nationally, ozone levels have improved substantially due to federal and EPA efforts.
Researchers found exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from vehicle traffic increases the risk of ischemic strokes, even at safe levels. The peak risk occurs 12-14 hours before a stroke, and reducing PM2.5 pollution by 20% could have prevented 6,100 stroke hospitalizations.
The research aims to determine the impacts of various emission sources on fine particle concentrations in Santiago de Chile. The study reveals that transport is the biggest source of fine particles in the city.
A recent study found that Delhi's radical changes in air quality regulations had a substantial positive effect on the health of city residents. The research used remote sensing imagery to measure the effects of air quality on health, and found that poorer men exhibited significant negative relationships between ambient air and respirat...
Researchers discovered a new mechanism by which air pollution particles form, with heavier compounds contributing most to particle formation. This discovery has significant implications for understanding and predicting urban air quality.
Researchers found a strong link between climate and air pollution in Gothenburg, where extreme cold air from Siberia leads to high nitrogen oxide concentrations. The study, published in Atmospheric Environment, shows that air quality standards were exceeded more frequently during negative NAO phases.
Health risks from Gulf Coast oil spill include toxic vapors, oil slicks, tar balls, and contaminated seafood posing respiratory problems, skin irritation, mental health concerns, and neurological impairment. The risk factors are improving as the oil leak has been stopped.
A recent study found Texas petrochemical emissions are down, but still significantly underreported. Researchers took airplane measurements to compare with industry inventories and found discrepancies in pollutant levels. The findings highlight the need for improved monitoring and regulation.
Research reveals commercial cooking as a significant source of air pollutants, including carcinogenic chemicals. The study found that fatty foods cooked with high heat and certain oils increase emissions, highlighting the need for emission control measures.
A Virginia Tech study found that women are more affected by air pollution during marathons due to their smaller tracheas, which can cause irritation. Higher levels of particulate matter in the air were associated with slower running times for women compared to men, who showed no significant impact.
A major study led by Jose-Luis Jimenez from the University of Colorado at Boulder has discovered a common ground in organic material floating through the skies, leading to more accurate predictions of air quality and climate. The finding presents a workable solution that will improve the speed and accuracy of prediction models.
Computer scientists at UC San Diego are creating a network of environmental sensors attached to people's clothing, which will provide up-to-the-minute information on outdoor and indoor air quality. The system, called CitiSense, aims to empower individuals to make healthier choices by giving them real-time data on polluted areas.
Researchers have identified five common indoor plants that can effectively remove harmful VOCs from the air, reducing stress and symptoms of ill health. These plants, including purple waffle plant, English ivy, and Asparagus fern, have been shown to improve air quality and overall well-being.
Scientists estimate that lightning produces 8.6 million metric tons of nitrogen oxide gas per year, mostly affecting the upper atmosphere. New research suggests stronger NOx production in mid-latitude thunderstorms than previously thought, with implications for climate and air quality models.
A study of 120,000 children from 1997-2006 found that improved air quality was associated with a decrease in frequent otitis media cases. The findings suggest that cleaner air may have direct health benefits, particularly for vulnerable populations like children.
The 'Dust Alert' sensor measures dust, pollen, and toxins in the air, providing real-time contamination levels and precise chemical composition analysis. This invention can help improve air quality, mitigate health risks, and provide critical information for urban planners.
Poor air quality in megacities, driven by pollution and urban metabolism, has severe consequences on residents and global climate. The urban metabolism model reveals how megacities consume energy, release wastes, and pollute, impacting climate change on regional and global levels.
Scientists predict a significant rise in wildfires across the western United States due to climate warming, leading to decreased air quality and negative impacts on human health. The predicted area burned by wildfires could increase by 50% by the 2050s, with the greatest increases occurring in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains.
A Cornell study found that regulating traffic density and encouraging public transportation can significantly impact local air quality. The Chinese government's measures during the 2008 Olympics resulted in notable reductions in car emissions of black carbon, carbon dioxide, and ultrafine particles.
Researchers found that even at low ozone concentrations, healthy individuals can experience significant decreases in lung function after moderate exercise. The study suggests that healthier individuals may exhibit individual variability in their responses to ozone, with some showing strong sensitivity while others are less affected.
Dr. David Yap receives prestigious Amethyst Award from Ontario Public Service for his work combating air pollution in Canada and the United States. The award recognizes his contributions to developing air quality management programs, including the Air Quality Index and Smog Alert Programs.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon researchers found that particulate matter in downtown Pittsburgh is more affected by major sources to the city's southeast than previously thought. The most polluted days often occur when winds are from the southeast, increasing PM levels above the National Air Quality Standard.
A German study found that people who have had a heart attack are more than three times as likely to have been in traffic within an hour of their symptoms. Driving or riding in heavy traffic poses an additional risk of eliciting a heart attack, especially for females, elderly males, and those with a history of angina.
Researchers found that indoor plants can remove up to 80% of formaldehyde from the air within 4 hours. The study also showed that aerial parts of plants absorb more formaldehyde during the day, while roots and soil microorganisms contribute to nighttime absorption.
A recent study by Brigham Young University and Harvard School of Public Health found that reducing air pollution in the US increases life expectancy by nearly three years, with cleaner air contributing up to five months of that increase.
A new CU-Boulder study reveals that air quality regulations primarily target primary particles, while secondary particles formed by oxidized VOCs contribute significantly to poor air quality in the Los Angeles region. The study suggests that regulations need to focus on reducing VOC emissions from gases such as gasoline vapors.
Athletes with asthma face increased risk of symptoms due to high minute ventilation and poor air quality during exercise. Individualized management plans are crucial to comply with anti-doping regulations.
Exposure to chemical & biological contaminants can cause respiratory & neurologic symptoms, allergies, asthma, and lung cancer. Secondhand smoke & radon are major causes of lung cancer after cigarette smoking.
Researchers are working on operational global forecasts of air pollution, which could aid in improving air quality and addressing climate change. NASA satellites are providing crucial data to support these efforts, helping to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental regulations.