Articles tagged with Air Quality
Air pollution prediction models in China require consideration of rapid human activity changes and decadal climatic factors. Developing accurate seasonal to interannual predictions is crucial for government planning and air quality control.
Researchers found that prisoners in buildings located in green areas are less likely to engage in self-harming or violent behaviours. The study, published in Wellbeing, Space and Society, suggests that surrounding greenspace has a positive effect on prisoner wellbeing alongside prison walls.
The American Thoracic Society recommends limiting long-term PM2.5 exposure to 8 µg/m³ and short-term exposure to 25 µg/m³, which could prevent an estimated 14,650 deaths and 33,000 additional illnesses. Implementing these standards could save thousands of lives by reducing morbidity and mortality from air pollution.
A new study found that reducing air pollution can lower dementia risk among older women by decreasing their likelihood of developing dementia. The benefits were consistent despite differences among participants in age, geographic area, socioeconomic background, and other factors.
A recent study found that large wildfires and severe heat events worsen air pollution across the western United States, affecting 68% of the region's population in one day. The study revealed an increasing trend in days with high levels of both particulate matter and ozone, tied to rising temperatures and wildfires.
A new study estimates that nitrogen dioxide from traffic pollution contributes to nearly 2 million cases of pediatric asthma annually. Cleaner air in urban areas has led to a decline in these cases, but more work is needed to curb harmful emissions.
A recent study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that approximately 2.5 billion people worldwide lived in areas exceeding the WHO guideline for annual average PM2.5 exposure, resulting in an excess of 1.8 million deaths. Additionally, nearly 2 million asthma cases among children were attributable to NO2 pollution in 2019.
A new study led by researchers at the University of Gothenburg found that trees contribute to cleaner air in cities. The study measured pollutants in tree leaves and compared them with air pollution levels, showing a clear correlation between the two.
A new report highlights the need for a comprehensive system of risk management to deal with complex environmental risks. Experts from academia and government have identified key sources of data and interventions to reduce multiple types of risk, including air pollution, food insecurity, and zoonotic diseases.
A study by CIBERDEM and IBIMA found a significant association between long-term exposure to particulate matter pollution and the incidence of high blood pressure. The research, published in Scientific Reports, monitored 1103 people over 8 years, with 282 cases of incident high blood pressure recorded.
A team of scientists used satellite images to track ammonia concentrations in the air above Los Angeles before and during the pandemic lockdown. They discovered that cars may produce up to 95% of this harmful pollutant throughout the city, significantly higher than previous estimates.
Researchers found that vehicles accounted for 60-84% of total NH3 emissions in western Los Angeles, significantly higher than government estimates. This discovery suggests a substantial health impact from vehicle-related ammonia, which has been largely under-recognized and uncontrolled.
Researchers at Michigan State University are developing wearable devices to track air pollution exposure, providing unprecedented data on air quality over space and time. The devices will help inform policies and interventions to protect vulnerable populations from the health impacts of air pollution.
A team of researchers at the University of Cambridge found that an air filtration machine removed almost all traces of airborne SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 wards. The study suggests that setting standards for cleaner air could reduce the risk of airborne transmission of infections.
A health impact assessment shows that European cities can avoid 109,188 and 57,030 premature deaths per year by meeting the new PM2.5 and NO2 guidelines, respectively. Meeting these standards could prevent up to 125,000 and 79,000 annual premature deaths.
Research by Binghamton University economists found that COVID-19 lockdowns led to a significant improvement in air quality for minority neighborhoods in rural New York, narrowing the existing gap with majority white neighborhoods. The study suggests stronger regulation can improve air quality in polluted areas.
A new study found that air pollution is a major health risk for people living in low-income neighborhoods with high concentrations of PM2.5, leading to increased rates of chronic diseases and mortality. The study highlights the need for targeted policy solutions to address environmental health disparities.
Researchers found that population density and long-term exposure to air pollution were the two factors most significantly correlated with COVID-19 transmission rates. Disproportionately affecting communities with more minority residents, these factors were identified through computer modeling and analysis of data from 12 metropolitan a...
Researchers at the University of Surrey confirmed that hedges can mitigate traffic-related pollution up to 1.7m in shallow street canyons. The study found a complex picture dependent on various factors, highlighting the need for more field studies to validate future modeling studies.
A Stanford University study found higher levels of air pollutants within 2.5 miles of oil and gas wells, likely worsening negative health outcomes for nearby residents. The research reveals that wells emit toxic particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and ozone, posing a risk to residents' health.
The ASCENT network will provide high-time resolution measurements of aerosols, key contributors to climate change and health concerns. The project will advance understanding of aerosol properties and their impact on public health.
A new study reveals that low-income neighborhoods and communities of color in US cities experience higher levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution, primarily due to proximity to trucking routes. The disparity is driven by diesel trucks emitting NO2 and other air pollutants.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute is part of a $12 million multi-state project to monitor airborne particulate matter. The network will provide data on atmospheric aerosols, allowing scientists to assess and predict their impacts on climate, human health, and ecosystems.
Researchers from MIT have developed a way to use carbon dioxide monitors to estimate indoor COVID-19 risk in near real-time. The model takes into account various factors such as ventilation, mask usage, and activity levels to provide an indoor reproductive number that represents the virus's transmission rate.
Researchers developed a dynamic respirator that modulates pore size in response to changing conditions like exercise and air pollution. The device features an AI-powered system that adjusts filtration characteristics wirelessly, providing improved breathability and comfort.
Two Stanford-led studies published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A suggest that removing human-caused methane emissions could significantly reduce global surface temperatures and improve air quality. The research models show that a 40% reduction in global methane emissions by 2050 could lead to temperature reductio...
The Hedge Design for the Abatement of Traffic Emissions (HedgeDATE) online tool offers personalized recommendations for reducing traffic-related air pollution. By inputting their environment details, users can receive tailored advice on how to improve air quality through simple and effective actions.
New experiments found that poorly mixed room air can lead to increased exposure to airborne contaminants, with occupants at risk of respiratory aerosols from others up to 5-6 times higher. Portable air cleaners using air pull-down can provide a simple solution to improve ventilation and reduce the risk.
Baek & Tong are developing emissions inventories by calibrating Community Multiscale Air Quality Modeling System simulations with field measurement data and remote-sensing satellite data. This project aims to reduce uncertainties in human activity-based traditional bottom-up emissions inventories.
Research reveals that air pollution exposure during pregnancy can have a lasting impact on children's health and development. Studies show a link between prenatal exposure to fine and ultrafine particulate matter and adverse outcomes such as low birth weight, asthma, cognitive and behavioral issues, obesity, and diabetes.
Researchers discovered that particulate emissions from auxiliary heaters can be significantly higher than those of idling gasoline vehicles, raising concerns about their environmental impact. The study highlights the need for further research on the use and development of heaters to reduce emissions.
A one-year study found that increased concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and lower ventilation rates were associated with slower response times and reduced accuracy on cognitive tests, affecting employees' productivity.
A new study quantifies the contribution of agricultural and forest fires to poor air quality in Southeast Asia, finding that preventing these fires could reduce premature deaths by an estimated 59,000 annually. The region's poorest communities are disproportionately exposed to air pollution from these fires.
A large European study found that prolonged exposure to even low levels of air pollution can increase the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease. Fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and black carbon were linked to adverse cardiovascular effects, with no safe thresholds detected.
A study published in Reproductive Toxicology found that rhesus macaques exposed to wildfire smoke early in pregnancy had an increased rate of miscarriage. The researchers discovered that high levels of small particles (PM2.5) and phthalates, known endocrine disruptors, were present in the smoke.
A study published in The BMJ found that long-term exposure to air pollution below current standards is associated with higher mortality rates. Researchers analyzed data from eight European groups and found that even at low concentrations, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and black carbon were linked to increased natural deaths.
Researchers found that residents in San Francisco and Los Angeles reduced PM2.5 particulate matter by half indoors on smoky days, despite outdoor levels remaining three times higher. Newer homes with central air conditioning performed better at keeping wildfire smoke out.
A new air-sampling system developed by researchers can detect an unprecedented range of potentially harmful airborne compounds. The system uses a special badge or pen attached to clothes or placed in a pocket to capture a broad spectrum of volatile organic compounds, allowing for more comprehensive exposure assessments.
A team of scientists used low-cost sensor networks to map pollution exposure in real-time during the 2018 Kīlauea Volcano eruption. The study provided highly granular estimates of human exposure to fine particulate matter and sulfur dioxide gas, enabling communities to make informed decisions about their health.
A Stanford University study suggests that wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth, with as many as 7,000 extra births attributed to this factor between 2007 and 2012. The research highlights the need for investment in prescribed burns, mechanical thinning, or other efforts to reduce extreme wildfires.
Scientists have developed novel gas sensors with improved detection sensitivity and durability by combining organic and inorganic materials. The hybrid sensors boast high durability and high sensitivity, making them suitable for portable gas sensing applications.
A new MIT study highlights the importance of careful classroom ventilation in reducing the spread of Covid-19 aerosols. Researchers found that certain configurations, such as closed windows and limited upward air movement, can lead to higher concentrations of potentially problematic aerosols.
Researchers will investigate how air pollutants in indoor spaces, such as homes and schools, affect children with asthma and people living in urban homes. A new platform will be developed to rank the toxicity of common air pollutants and establish links with neurological disease.
During COVID-19 lockdowns, air pollution fell in residential and commercial areas, but rebounded faster in residential areas. The study found that residential heating and cooling are significant components of the air quality equation, with implications for low-carbon energy policies.
A new open-source software, GI4RAQ Platform, enables practitioners to estimate pollutant concentration changes resulting from different planting schemes in streets. It focuses on key pollutants from road transport and provides a detailed analysis of the urban form and planting specified by users.
Researchers have found a significant link between air pollution and an increased risk of dysmenorrhea, a common condition characterized by severe menstrual cramps. Long-term exposure to pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter was shown to raise the risk of developing the disorder by up to 33 times.
Domestic burning of wood and dung fuels in Neolithic homes would have exceeded modern internationally-agreed standards for indoor air quality, exposing inhabitants to unsafe levels of particulates. The study suggests that chronic exposure to PM2.5 could be linked to bone lesions found in the remains of Çatalhöyük's inhabitants.
Researchers are using satellite and ground-based tools to measure air quality, revealing significant differences in nitrogen dioxide levels between majority white and minority communities. This study aims to inform policymakers about the need to mitigate inequity in air pollution, which disproportionately affects communities of color.
A study found that vehicle electrification may produce similar air quality effects as during the COVID-19 pandemic, but with decreased magnitude. The model accounted for nonlinear relationships between emission rates and atmospheric chemistry, highlighting the need to mitigate off-road emissions.
Researchers found that airborne lead in London is attributable to resuspended dust, not current coal burning or seasonally variable sources. Historical contributions of leaded gasoline remain a significant source of environmental lead.
Researchers deployed a network of low-cost sensors to measure sulfur dioxide and particulate matter concentrations in volcanic smog during the 2018 Kilauea eruption. The system enabled fine-scale measurements and monitoring of plume chemical evolution over time, providing valuable insights into extreme air quality events.
Researchers found that up to 40% of lead in airborne particles comes from legacy leaded petrol, highlighting the persistence of contaminants introduced by human activities. Long-term low-level exposure to lead can have detrimental health effects, and measures should be taken to reduce further lead emissions.
Research by University of Southampton and Central University of Jharkhand found a significant environmental improvement in major urban areas across India during the 2020 March to May lockdown. The study revealed a 12% decrease in Nitrogen Dioxide and a 40% reduction over New Delhi, with land surface temperature decreasing by up to 1°C.
Researchers advocate for updated ventilation standards, including pathogen control and flexible systems, to combat airborne virus transmission. The new guidelines aim to improve indoor air quality, reducing healthcare costs and increasing labor productivity.
By achieving carbon neutrality, China can reduce PM2.5 concentrations from over 10 μg/m3 to around 8 μg/m3, meeting national air quality standards.
Research suggests that implementing ATS-recommended air quality standards could prevent tens of thousands of deaths, lung cancer cases, and illnesses. By meeting these standards, the US could avoid an estimated 14,650 deaths, 2,950 lung cancer cases, and 33,000 additional illnesses annually.
A group of researchers from 14 countries is urging a universal recognition of the need to control airborne pathogens in buildings. The experts recommend improved ventilation systems, including higher airflow rates, filtration, and disinfection, as well as real-time monitors to track indoor air quality.
Researchers urge universal recognition that respiratory infections can be prevented by improving indoor ventilation systems. The researchers propose a paradigm shift in combating airborne pathogens, demanding more action on controlling hazards of airborne transmission.
A group of scientists recommends introducing new mechanisms to keep pathogen levels in building air flow low, citing the need for a paradigm shift in building design and operation. This approach can also reduce exposure to other air pollutants and improve wellbeing.
A new study estimated that improved air quality during the first wave of COVID-19 in Spain's provincial capital cities prevented around 150 premature deaths. The reduction in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels by 51% during lockdown periods led to a significant decrease in premature mortality.