Articles tagged with Air Quality
Researchers provide first global satellite measurements of isoprene, a natural hydrocarbon affecting Earth's atmosphere. Isoprene reacts with pollutants and reduces atmospheric capacity to scrub itself of pollutants.
A new study finds that asphalt is a significant source of air pollutants, particularly during hot and sunny conditions. The researchers discovered complex mixtures of organic compounds emitted by common road and roofing asphalts, comparable to motor vehicle emissions in Los Angeles.
Researchers aim to curb idling, a main source of pollution, by using displays similar to speed limit signs. The system will collect and integrate air-quality measurements, local weather conditions, and thermal images to provide feedback to drivers.
A new study by University of Utah researchers found a correlation between media coverage of weather and air quality, and transit ridership. The study suggests that favorable weather conditions and comfort are associated with increased ridership, while poor air quality may discourage usage.
Scientists developed a highly sensitive and accurate Nitrogen Dioxide sensor, which can detect below 20 parts-per-billion of NO2 in under 15 minutes. The device has potential applications in domestic, public, and industrial settings to prevent respiratory issues and infant morbidity.
Four low-cost air quality monitors provided actionable information during wildfire events, with correlations to reference monitors being 'phenomenally good.' However, the devices required adjustments and checks to use their numbers, with an estimated adjustment factor of 0.48 for PurpleAir PA-II monitors.
George Mason University's Daniel Tong will receive $83,748 from NOAA to develop an integrated model system predicting air quality and greenhouse gas emissions at a city scale. The three-year project aims to simulate the evolution of criteria air pollutants and greenhouse gases in a changing climate.
A new study analyzed China's national network of air monitoring stations and found that nitrogen dioxide concentrations dropped by 27% on average, while particulate matter (PM2.5) saw a modest reduction of 11%. Ozone pollution showed little change despite the lockdown.
A recent study found that COVID-19 lockdowns in five Indian cities reduced harmful fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations by up to 54%, comparable to reductions in other cities worldwide. The lockdown also saved an estimated 630 lives and $690 million in health costs.
A new University of Minnesota study identifies livestock, wood stoves, farms, and residential buildings as significant contributors to deadly air pollution in the United States. The research highlights the need for targeted regulations to reduce emissions from these sources, which account for a substantial portion of PM2.5-related deaths.
A Cranfield University team will monitor and analyze air quality levels within the region, utilizing sensor technology and data analytics to inform sustainable development plans. The study aims to mitigate the impact of growth on air quality, aligning with UK Government ambitions for a neutral or positive environmental gain.
A recent study by the Institute of Atmospheric Physics found that Beijing's air quality did not improve as expected during the COVID-19 lockdown, with secondary aerosol species showing only small changes. The research highlights a challenge for mitigating secondary air pollution in regions with high concentrations of gaseous precursors.
A new analysis of 16 years of health data reveals that long-term exposure to fine particles leads to increased mortality rates among the elderly. If current EPA standards were lowered, over 140,000 lives might have been saved within a decade.
Researchers linked long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution with premature death among older Americans, suggesting current US standards are insufficient. Strengthening standards could lead to a 6%-7% decrease in mortality risk and save thousands of lives.
The study reveals a significant drop in PM2.5 levels in China since 2011, while India is experiencing a plateau phase. The researchers' hybrid dataset shows that effective controls can be remarkably effective at reducing air pollution.
A study published in National Science Review found that COVID-19 lockdowns in China led to a sharp reduction in transportation emissions, but this was offset by an increase in secondary particle formation due to enhanced atmospheric oxidizing capacity. The study suggests that coordinated control of various primary emissions is necessar...
A recent study published in Climate and Atmospheric Science reveals that half of the world's population is exposed to increasing air pollution. The research highlights that air pollution constitutes a major threat to public health, with an estimated four million deaths annually attributed to outdoor air pollution.
A new sensor-based system developed by RMIT University and Arup uses artificial intelligence to measure staff comfort and concentration in flexible working spaces. The study found that office temperature, sleep quality, and meeting schedules significantly impact perceived concentration levels.
A long-term study found that residents' daily activities, such as cooking and heating, significantly impact indoor ultrafine particle concentrations. The study, conducted in German apartments, showed that indoor activities account for most ultrafine particles, with outdoor air pollution playing a lesser role.
A new study reveals that minority students and charter schools experience higher concentrations of PM 2.5 levels even on clean air days, highlighting the need for policies to protect school-aged children from environmental harm. The research used a community-university partnership to analyze data from 174 public schools in Salt Lake Co...
Lockdowns led to significant reductions in nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter pollution globally, with decreases of up to 60% in some regions. However, surface ozone levels increased by a factor of 1.5-2 in northern China due to decreased nitrogen dioxide pollution.
Three major African cities show significant reductions in visibility since the 1970s, with Nairobi experiencing the greatest loss, due to increased particulate matter emissions from vehicles and energy generation. PM pollution levels have also increased by 182% in Nairobi, 162% in Kenya, and 62% in Uganda.
Duke University researchers use a machine learning algorithm to estimate ground-level air pollution with high accuracy and resolution, surpassing current methods. The approach uses high-resolution micro-satellite imagery and weather data to detect tiny airborne particles like PM2.5.
A study found children are exposed to three times higher levels of PM2.5 during morning drop-offs due to idling cars. Researchers recommend safe parking and green hedges to reduce air pollution.
The 2018 Saddleworth Moor Fire in Northern England had a significant impact on air quality, with poor conditions affecting over 4.5 million people. The fires caused substantial increases in PM2.5 pollution, resulting in up to 165% more deaths brought forward due to pollution.
Open biomass burning has a significant impact on regional air quality, especially in Northeast China. The study found that the number of fire points concentrated in two key periods: March-April and October-November, with most fires occurring in cropland.
Researchers validate TRAX air quality sensor data, showcasing its ability to capture air pollution events, including summer fireworks and winter inversions. The expanded dataset provides insights into air mass exchange between the Salt Lake and Utah counties.
A large study found daily exposure to ground level ozone in cities worldwide is associated with an increased risk of death. The study suggests that more than 6,000 deaths each year could be avoided if countries implemented stricter air quality standards.
A new study found a significant association between fine particulate matter PM2.5 and out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, with increased risks even at low concentrations. The nationwide Japanese study, the largest of its kind, highlights the urgent need to improve air quality and reduce cardiovascular impacts.
Researchers tracked pollutants from Canadian and US wildfires to reach NYC, causing significant increases in air quality advisories. The study highlights the need for policy-makers to consider long-term air quality management plans due to increasing wildfire smoke.
Wildfires in south eastern Brazil produce airborne pollution that worsens air quality in major cities such as Sao Paulo, cancelling efforts to improve the urban environment. The study found long-range transport of smoke contributes to poor air quality and smog in cities up to 2,000 km away.
A recent study by Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare found that indoor air quality is connected to respiratory and general symptoms like colds and headaches. However, the association was too weak to reliably assess indoor air quality based on reported symptoms.
A new study published in Contemporary Economic Policy found that Japan's 1992 automobile law led to a 3-6% reduction in ambient nitrogen dioxide concentrations over two decades. The law resulted in estimated cost savings of $104 million due to reduced asthma-related mortality.
Field trials show that suppressing isoprene production in poplars has no significant impact on woody biomass production. The findings suggest that isoprene emissions can be diminished without affecting productivity in temperate forest plantations.
Researchers recommend simplifying air quality testing methods to improve accuracy in simulating atmospheric chemical reactions and reducing pollution. A combination of bottom-up and top-down techniques can help achieve more accurate results.
A study estimated the cumulative effects of shale gas production in the Appalachian basin on air quality and employment, finding negative impacts on both with some positive effects. The study also found persistent climate change effects that may last for generations.
A new study from Brigham Young University found that 90% of urban dust in Utah comes from dry lakebeds, posing a significant threat to air quality and human health. The research suggests that preserving lakes could help lower the amount of dust blown into urban areas.
A new emissions inventory for Nepal reveals that air pollution is growing at a much faster rate than the economy. The study found that private households account for a larger share of fuel consumption and emissions in Nepal compared to industrial nations.
A US study found short-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with several newly identified causes of hospital admissions, including sepsis and kidney failure. The researchers suggest the World Health Organization air quality guidelines need revising.
A new study by the University of British Columbia found that even low levels of air pollution increase the risk of deaths in Canada. The research suggests that millions of Canadians live in high-pollution areas, leading to a significant health burden.
A study from 2013-2017 found that China's strict clean air policies led to a significant decrease in particulate matter exposure. The policy changes resulted in an estimated 370,000 deaths avoided annually due to improved air quality.
A new study from MIT found that aviation emissions cause twice as much damage to air quality as to the climate. The researchers developed metrics for comparing climate and air quality impacts of aviation emissions.
Restoring native vegetation could cut air pollution by an average of 27 percent, according to a new study published in Environmental Science & Technology. The research found that nature-based solutions might be cheaper options for cleaning the air near industrial sites and other pollution sources.
Researchers from Drexel University review a decade of studies on the air-purifying effects of potted plants and find that natural ventilation is far more effective at cleaning the air than plants. To compete with building air handling systems, it would take between 10 to 1,000 plants per square meter of floor space.
Researchers evaluated China's success in controlling coal-fired power plant (CPP) emissions, finding significant reductions in air pollution and premature deaths since 2005-2020. The upgrading of end-pipe control facilities and early retirement of small units led to substantial emissions reductions.
A new study from the University of Surrey found that involving citizens in air quality research improves their understanding of pollution's impact on health. Citizens were encouraged to debate research and conduct their own studies, resulting in more accurate knowledge.
A new study suggests a significant link between exposure to environmental pollution and an increase in the prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders. The study found poor air quality associated with increased rates of bipolar disorder and major depression in both the US and Denmark.
Climate change is expected to exacerbate China's air pollution issues, leading to increased mortality rates. The study predicts that nearly 40% of the additional deaths could be attributed to atmospheric stagnation events and heat waves.
Research from the Center for Air Quality, Climate, and Energy Solutions at Carnegie Mellon University found significant human health benefits when air quality is better than the current national ambient air quality standard. The studies estimated that improving air quality could save over 30,000 lives annually.
A new study found that rising temperatures due to climate change will increase the number of days with high concentrations of ozone in the Mid-Atlantic region, posing significant health risks. The study, led by Cristina Archer, analyzed nearly 50 years' worth of data and found that near-ground ozone levels can exacerbate respiratory co...
Research from Imperial College London finds air pollution associated with increased mortality and reduced life expectancy in the US. Fine particles PM2.5 are estimated to have caused 15,612 female deaths and 14,757 male deaths between 1999-2015.
A study found that reducing nitrogen dioxide levels can lower childhood asthma incidence rates by up to 27.6%. The analysis estimated benefits of fine particulate matter reduction were smaller but still significant, suggesting stricter air quality standards could lead to public health gains.
Researchers developed an affordable sensor network to track black carbon, a significant contributor to global warming and adverse health outcomes. The study found sharp variations in black carbon levels over short distances and time spans, with truck activity associated with high concentrations.
Researchers measured air quality before, during, and after a large fireworks display in Albany, New York, finding peak levels of submicron particulate matter eight times higher than before. Potassium levels also spiked significantly, peaking at 350 times the background level.
When ozone and skin oils meet, they produce volatile gases and substances that can cause sensory irritations. People with asthma may be particularly vulnerable to ozone and its reaction products.
Significant reductions in pollution and mortality rates have been achieved in the UK over the past 40 years due to effective policies. Emissions of PM2.5, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, and non-methane volatile organic compounds all reduced substantially between 1970 and 2010.
Researchers found that electric vehicles can improve air quality in Houston by reducing nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds emitted by gasoline and diesel vehicles. The study suggests that complete electrification of transportation could prevent up to 246 premature deaths annually in greater Houston by 2040.
A new study by WSU researchers found surprisingly high levels of indoor air pollutants, including formaldehyde and possibly mercury, in carefully monitored homes. Temperature fluctuations inside the homes led to increased pollution levels, which varied throughout the day.
A long-term partnership between researchers and local community members has led to significant improvements in air quality and environmental awareness in Pittsburgh's East End. The program, EJCAM, trained community leaders and advocated for green initiatives, resulting in a more informed and engaged citizenry.
Over the past decade, US air pollution has led to a decline in mortality impacts from fine particle (PM2.5) pollution, but ground-level ozone (O3) pollution has remained relatively unchanged. This report estimates health impacts of air pollution for every US city and highlights the need for continued efforts to reduce these pollutants.