Articles tagged with Chemical Pollution
Machine learning algorithms revealed that MP size, shape, and dosage significantly alter soil properties. The study provides essential data for informed decision-making on plastic waste management and corporate sustainability efforts.
Researchers discovered traces of sunscreen agents in Arctic snow, with highest concentrations found in winter. The study suggests these contaminants are transported from lower latitudes via atmospheric circulation.
Brazilian researchers developed a 3D zinc oxide photocatalyst that efficiently degrades sertraline, an emerging pollutant contaminating groundwater. The material's high photocatalytic activity and stability make it suitable for wastewater treatment.
Air quality in São Paulo fell far below standards and WHO recommendations despite reduced emissions during the pandemic. The study identified four main sources of aerosols: heavy vehicles, soil dust, light vehicles, and local sources, including industrial emissions and fires.
Miniaturized electrochemical sensors offer low-cost, time-efficient analysis and high specificity and sensitivity for toxic heavy metal detection. However, limitations in selectivity, detail, and interference by foreign species hinder on-site analysis.
A longitudinal study of Hispanic adolescents and young adults found that PFAS exposure is linked to lower bone mineral density and a higher risk of osteoporosis. The study's findings highlight the need for stricter regulation of PFAS to protect vulnerable populations.
A research team from the University of Waterloo developed an AI tool called PlasticNet to identify microplastics with unprecedented speed and accuracy. This system enables researchers to rapidly analyze large numbers of particles, reducing the time and error associated with manual identification, and providing quality information for i...
A study by UNICAMP researchers found high concentrations of contaminants in the Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiaí River Basin, including PFAS compounds, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. The study highlights the severity of pollution in the region, which supplies water for drinking, irrigation, and industry.
A recent study published in ScienceDirect found hundreds of toxic chemicals in recycled plastic pellets from 13 countries. The findings highlight the risks associated with recycling plastics and the need to phase out harmful chemicals. The researchers urge policymakers to take action to limit hazardous chemicals in plastics.
A group of 35 scientists calls out conflicts of interest in global plastic treaty negotiations, which have hindered timely action on health and environmental issues. They recommend implementing guidelines to prevent industry influence on the UN's Science Policy Panel on chemicals, citing past examples of pollution protection dilution.
Researchers emphasize the need for a holistic approach to tackle plastic pollution, prioritizing 'upstream' issues such as reducing production and consumption of plastics. The treaty should prioritize early interventions, focusing on ecosystems and chemical simplification.
Researchers found that bisphenol A (BPA) inactivates microbial lipopolysaccharides (LPS), a key trigger for allergic asthma. This disruption increases susceptibility to asthma in mice, highlighting a potential link between BPA exposure and immune disorders.
Researchers used sediment DNA to reconstruct a 100-year history of biodiversity, chemical pollution, and climate change levels in a Danish lake. The study found that pollutants like insecticides and increased temperatures had devastating effects on biodiversity, while suggesting some recovery over the last 20 years.
Scientists developed a synthetic melanin that accelerates wound healing and protects against sun damage. The cream also quiets the immune system, allowing for continuous repair and reducing inflammation.
Research from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences estimates that humans have increased atmospheric mercury levels sevenfold, with a pre-anthropogenic baseline of around 580 megagrams. Human emissions from coal-fired power plants and waste-incineration are responsible for the majority of this increase.
Researchers at the University of Houston have discovered that microalgae can be used to sequester carbon dioxide and convert it into mass-produced proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. This process has the potential to transform food production, treat wastewater, and produce sustainable biofuels.
New research from MIT found that germicidal UV lights can produce potentially harmful compounds in indoor spaces. The study suggests that the lights should be used with appropriate ventilation to minimize health risks. Researchers emphasize that the new UV lights are not a replacement for ventilation but rather a complement to it.
A recent study emphasizes the need to reduce plastic use in agriculture to mitigate pollution and prevent toxic chemicals from entering the soil and food chain. Innovative recycling methods are crucial to protecting the environment and human health. The researchers suggest adopting a strategic approach, including responsible usage, red...
A study using Google Street View cars found hyper-local air pollution hotspots in the Salt Lake Valley, revealing spatial variability and environmental justice issues. The research identified pollution emission sources off-road from traffic and industrial areas.
Researchers measured metabolite concentrations of two herbicides in urine samples from Ecuadorian adolescents and found negative associations with attention, memory, and language. Glyphosate was also linked to social perception issues.
A study using 29 low-cost instruments revealed PM2.5 values exceeded Indian national standards, associated with crop residue burning and secondary formation. The data will aid in addressing environmental impacts of air pollution.
A new EWG study reveals that humans can serve as sentinels for understanding the impact of toxic PFAS on wildlife health. The study's findings show that over 625 species, including fish, birds, and mammals, are contaminated with PFAS, highlighting the need to tackle these persistent chemicals.
Tiny waterfleas have been discovered to hold the key to removing persistent chemical pollutants from wastewater, improving environmental health and human well-being. The sustainable management of water resources is crucial for societal and economic benefits.
Researchers at São Paulo State University have developed a technique to remove glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, from contaminated water. By using functionalized cellulose fibers from sugarcane bagasse, they can effectively adsorb and remove glyphosate residues from an aqueous medium.
Researchers developed a 'lab-on-a-drone' system to detect and analyze pollutants like hydrogen sulfide gas. The device was used to track air quality at a wastewater treatment plant, providing real-time monitoring of smelly H2S gas concentrations.
A new study confirms that roadside hedges can dramatically reduce air pollution around schools by soaking up ultrafine particles emitted by traffic. Hedges have been found to act as protective barriers, capturing and filtering out harmful particles.
Researchers found that shoreline spiders can move mercury pollution up the food chain to land animals like birds and bats. The study suggests these spiders can serve as a potential link between aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, informing management decisions.
Researchers found that surfactants in aerosols form complex structures that shield hazardous materials, extending their lifetime and reach. This increases the risk of breathing toxic substances from cooking and cleaning activities for longer.
A University of Houston study found that most of Houston's ozone exceedance is due to transported pollutants from the central and northern US, while local photochemistry contributes to elevated ozone production. The research highlights the importance of reducing emissions at the Houston Ship Channel to mitigate future ozone pollution.
A Griffith-led study found urban stormwater particles from tyre wear are the most prevalent microplastic, with up to 59 particles per litre of water. Researchers developed strategies to capture and remove these contaminants, including a bag made of 0.2 millimetre mesh that reduced microplastics in treated water by up to 88%.
Researchers developed a new type of photocatalyst harnessing the visible portion of sunlight spectrum. The photocatalyst achieved high photo-to-chemical conversation efficiency and was found to be extremely stable under various conditions, including high temperatures and different pH levels.
A study by the University of Gothenburg found that paper cups, made from bioplastics like PLA, leach toxic chemicals into water and sediment, affecting aquatic life. Researchers call for transparency in plastics industry reporting to minimize plastic production.
Research found that increased biodiversity can either help or hinder disease outbreaks in wildlife, depending on environmental conditions. Environmental pollutants like road salt changed the susceptibility of amphibian species to parasites, with higher biodiversity communities experiencing a dilution effect when exposed to pollutants.
A team of researchers has determined that microplastic particles are present in the marine atmosphere, even in remote parts of the world. The study found that different types of plastics, including polyester and polyethylene terephthalate, were detected in air samples collected from various sites along the Norwegian coast.
Researchers investigate how exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in plastics may increase atherosclerosis and CVD risk, particularly in children. The study aims to establish a novel therapeutic target for chemical-induced CVD and explore gene-EDC interactions.
A new study found consistent increases in premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) death and disability due to particulate matter air pollution globally. The analysis, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, revealed a 8.1% rise in age-standardized CVD deaths attributed to outdoor PM pollution between 1990 and 2019.
Concentrations of potentially harmful chemical compounds in ISS dust exceed median values in US and Western European home floor dust. The study guides design and construction of future spacecraft by highlighting the importance of material choices.
New research suggests that rising temperatures may offset the impact of increased precipitation on nitrogen runoff, which could lead to reduced aquatic pollution. The study found that warmer temperatures reduce evaporation, allowing more nitrogen to enter waterways, while also affecting microbial life in soil and sediment.
A new study identifies reducing ammonia emissions as a cost-effective measure to reduce fine particulate matter concentrations in Europe. Implementing effective measures in the agricultural sector could achieve significant pollution reductions, avoiding 100,000 premature deaths annually.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have detected the elusive ethyl radical intermediate in the ethane pyrolysis reaction, a key driver of chemical reactions in the plastics and natural gas industries. This discovery could lead to more efficient production of plastics and other chemicals with reduced byproducts and pollution.
Researchers used a new method to study PFAS's impact on immune cells, finding that they significantly reduced T-cell activity and impaired the function of certain immune cells. This could lead to increased susceptibility to infections and reduced antibody production after vaccinations.
A study published in Lancet Planetary Health reveals alarmingly high PFAS levels in the blood of residents in Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland, with 92% exceeding recommended safety thresholds. The substances are widespread and bio-magnified through the food chain, posing a significant threat to public health globally.
Prof. Dr. Marta Litter takes over as Editor-In-Chief of Journal of Photocatalysis, bringing her extensive expertise and experience to lead the journal into a new era of excellence. Her research on heterogeneous photocatalysis and iron-based nanomaterials has led to over 250 scientific publications.
Researchers found that micro- and meso-plastics accumulate heavy metals, with copper and chromium being prominent contaminants. The study reveals how surface features like holes, biofilms, and mineral crystals facilitate the collection of pollutants on plastic particles.
The EU-funded SUPERVAL project aims to convert post-combustion gases into valuable resources, reducing pollutants while generating chemicals. The technology involves solar-driven electrochemical conversion of CO2 into an organic molecule and transformation of NOx and N2 into ammonia.
New research reveals that sunscreen contamination may be less harmful to wildlife than previously thought, with exposure posing a low risk to small aquatic animals compared to individual chemicals.
Scientists have developed a sustainable electrochemical method to remove PFAS, known as 'forever chemicals,' from water. The new platform uses metallocenes to capture and release PFAS, allowing for efficient removal and reuse without incineration or harsh chemical conditions.
Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology have created a new method for removing mercury from concentrated sulphuric acid, reducing levels by more than 90%. This innovation could lead to reduced mercury emissions and the production of high-purity, non-toxic products in industries such as mining and metal refining.
University of Missouri researchers developed a method using thermal induction heating to rapidly break down PFAS on the surface of granular activated carbon and anion exchange resins. The process achieved 98% degradation in just 20 seconds, offering a highly energy-efficient alternative to conventional methods.
Researchers analyzed scientific literature from 1990 to 2021 and found that environmental pollution through chemicals is less studied than other causes of global biodiversity loss. The team calls for a stronger interdisciplinary focus to better understand and mitigate chemical impacts on biodiversity.
A new UMass Amherst study aims to develop a more robust understanding of the effects of ambient air pollution on women's reproductive health. The researcher will analyze data from 1,228 participants to identify mechanisms and susceptible reproductive processes across the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy.
The WVU Pollution Prevention Program provides customized source reduction solutions, training, and digital technologies to minimize waste. The program aims to help businesses achieve carbon neutrality through data-driven modeling and AI-powered adjustments.
Researchers at Duke University have discovered a way to make rubbery materials up to nine times more durable without compromising their elasticity. This breakthrough could help reduce microplastic pollution from car tires, with estimates suggesting that tire wear alone releases millions of metric tons of debris into the environment eac...
A specially designed garden, rain garden, can capture toxic tire chemicals associated with tires entering waterways by more than 90%. Researchers tested a Vancouver rain garden and found that it captured about 75% of the chemical, preventing it from entering salmon-bearing streams.
Researchers developed a copper-based hydrogel that captures nitrate waste and transforms it into ammonia for reusable fertilizers. The system increased crop yields while reducing environmental impacts.
Researchers link Kawasaki disease to ultrafine aerosols rich in metals from intensive farming and urban pollution. Exposure to high levels of metals is associated with increased incidence of the disease.
A new study by Stanford University finds that gas stoves can raise indoor levels of benzene, a chemical linked to leukemia and other blood cell cancers. The researchers found that exhaust fans often ineffective at eliminating benzene exposure, and concentrations measured in bedrooms can exceed national health benchmarks.
Researchers have discovered that microplastics can accumulate in the nasal cavity and oropharynx, increasing the risk of respiratory diseases. The study's findings highlight the importance of awareness about microplastic exposure and its potential health impacts.
A new study by Duke University researchers reveals that the amount of toxic elements leaching out of coal ash depends largely on its nanoscale structure. The discovery highlights the complexity of coal ash as a material and emphasizes the need for closer examination of fine details within the ash to understand environmental risks.
Two bacteria species, Desulfovibrio aminophilus and Sporomusa sphaeroides, have been found to break down a subgroup of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which are persistently harmful in the environment. The discovery offers hope for low-cost biological cleanup of industrial pollutants.