Articles tagged with Pollutants
A Dartmouth-led study projects that Antarctica's glaciers will rapidly retreat and potentially collapse by 2200, increasing global sea levels by up to 5.5 feet by 2300. The researchers used 16 ice-sheet models to refine the projection of ice loss over the next 300 years.
Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a way to fingerprint organofluorine compounds, also known as 'forever chemicals', allowing them to be traced back to their source. The new technique uses nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and computational tools to identify unique carbon isotope patterns in each molec...
A new research paper finds higher particulate pollution in areas near the Salton Sea after water was diverted to San Diego. The study, led by University of California - Davis professor Eric Edwards, models lakebed exposure and tracks dust movement over time, showing increased pollution in disadvantaged communities.
Researchers from the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering have found a way to manipulate water molecules to make CO2R more efficient, achieving nearly 100% efficiency under mildly acidic conditions. The new method uses either gold or zinc as catalysts and can be scaled up using cheaper, more abundant materials.
Replacing diesel school buses with electric ones can yield up to $247,600 in climate and health benefits per individual bus, according to a new study. The benefits include reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower rates of adult mortality and childhood asthma.
A new AI method developed by Swedish researchers can identify toxic substances based on their chemical structure, potentially replacing animal testing. The method has been shown to be more accurate and broadly applicable than existing computational tools, offering a promising alternative for environmental research and authorities.
A Princeton-led study suggests that co-producing steel and chemicals could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from these industries. By redirecting steelmaking off-gas to chemical production, China can lower its hard-to-abate emissions and meet climate goals.
A Dartmouth-led study found that people in New England, particularly those who frequently consume seafood, face an increased risk of PFAS exposure. The researchers recommend setting safety standards to limit seafood consumption and highlight the need for more stringent public health guidelines.
A new UNSW-led international study reveals that much of the world's global source water contains PFAS levels above recommended drinking water guidelines. In Australia, firefighting foams used in military institutions and fire training facilities are a common source of contamination, with many locations exceeding safe limits.
Competitive DOM removal impacts OMP adsorption, with nonpolar molecules having higher competitiveness due to medium aromaticity. Aromatic DOM is not competitive against OMPs in adsorption, contrary to initial expectations.
Research suggests that magnetite particles, found in air pollution, can induce signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The study exposed mice to fine particles of iron, magnetite, and diesel hydrocarbons, finding that magnetite induced Alzheimer's disease pathologies, including neuronal cell loss and amyloid plaque formation.
A University of Washington team discovered that nitrate radicals in the air degrade scent chemicals released by wildflowers, making them undetectable to nighttime pollinators. The researchers found that pollution likely has worldwide impacts on pollination, with areas including western North America and Europe most affected.
The UK Centre for Multimodal Correlative Microscopy and Spectroscopy (CoreMiS) will enable researchers to analyze environmental samples with unprecedented detail. CoreMiS has already been used to study ancient artifacts, detect pollutants in drinking water, and investigate antimicrobial resistance.
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 new study reveals that C4 crops are significantly less sensitive to ozone pollution than C3 crops, with potential implications for improving crop productivity and resilience. The research suggests that C4 bioenergy feedstocks can maintain performance in regions with high ozone levels.
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 used Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and machine learning to predict adsorption capacity of pharmaceuticals and personal care products on long-term aged microplastics. The study successfully captured the complexity of the system with up to 98% accuracy, providing new insights into the interactions between microplast...
A team of Korean researchers uses carbon capture and utilization technology to convert industrial CO2 into calcium formate and magnesium oxide, producing two commercially viable products. The process reduces global warming potential by 20% compared to traditional methods.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science have developed a catalyst support based on titanium dioxide powder to facilitate effective CO2 reduction. The study demonstrated increased hydrogen production and enhanced catalytic performance with silver nanoparticles loaded onto the TiO2 surface.
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.
At one Antarctic research station, contaminant levels have persisted for 18 years, exceeding international guidelines. Historic practices at Casey station have polluted the local ecosystem, affecting marine environments.
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.
A new study by Washington University researchers identifies primary organics as the main drivers of high PM2.5 concentrations over South Asia, attributing 1 million deaths to residential combustion and industry emissions in 2019.
A new study found that manganese concentrations in a Massachusetts community's drinking water often exceeded recommended guidelines, posing a risk to children and vulnerable communities. The study suggests the need for an enforceable primary drinking water standard for manganese to better protect public health.
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a new adsorbent that utilizes problematic protons in acidic wastewater to enhance the removal of radioactive cesium ions. The adsorbent, potassium calcium thiostannate, shows improved capacity under strongly acidic conditions.
Researchers analyzed PFAS levels in fish food and organisms used in aquatic laboratory experiments. They found significant contamination across different types of food and aquaculture practices, recommending pre-testing for all feeds and organisms.
A new study from Chalmers University of Technology reveals that the marine environment is at risk due to ship emissions, particularly from scrubber discharge water and antifouling paint. The cumulative environmental risk in ports was found to be five and thirteen times higher than acceptable limits.
A recent study found that microplastics and triphenyltin have a combined toxic effect on the gut-brain axis in common carp. The pollutants amplified toxicity when used together, causing changes in gut microbiome and immune system function.
A multidisciplinary team of scientists conducted a comprehensive study to understand the sources and sinks of plastic debris in the Southern North Sea. Local citizen scientists played a crucial role in tracking the distribution pathways of plastic particles, revealing that two-thirds were washed ashore within 25km of their release site.
A new UNC study estimates that minority communities within 100 meters of major roadways face up to 15% higher PM2.5 and 35% higher NO2 exposure than white communities. The study reveals significant exposure inequities across the US, with vulnerable populations facing a greater burden of pollutants.
A retrospective analysis of patient data suggests that targeting mucus plugs in the lungs may help prevent deaths from COPD. The study found that patients with mucus plugs had a higher mortality rate compared to those without, with significant associations across different disease phases.
Researchers have engineered bacteria to combine natural enzymatic reactions with the carbene transfer reaction, producing new-to-nature carbon products that can be used in biochemicals and advanced biofuels. This breakthrough could reduce industrial emissions by providing sustainable alternatives to chemical manufacturing processes.
A new study suggests that increased exposure to air pollution may be associated with first hospital admissions for acute kidney injury. The research found a link between PM2.5, NO2, and O3 exposure and an increased risk of AKI, even at low annual exposures.
The study reveals that backwashing affects the removal of micropollutants and the dynamic changes in the microbial community in sand filters. Microbial community composition gradually recovers within 2 days after backwashing, but not at longer empty bed contact times.
Researchers have developed enzymes that can efficiently break down plastic, reducing its environmental impact. However, over-reliance on these technologies may not address the root issue of excessive plastic production.
A new detection technique reveals that megafires emit significantly more methane than previously thought, posing challenges to California's climate goals. Researchers used remote sensing to measure methane emissions from wildfires, finding nearly 20 gigagrams of methane emitted by a single fire.
University of Illinois researchers create an electrode that attracts and captures short-chain PFAS, a type of 'forever chemical,' using electrosorption. The design allows for selective fluorophilic interactions, enabling the capture of these persistent contaminants from environment.
A study found that prenatal exposure to environmental pollutants contributes to childhood obesity and metabolic disorders. However, the researchers discovered that high levels of vitamin B12 may enhance the obesogenic effect of certain pollutants, while β-cryptoxanthin from oranges or apples may protect against these effects.
Researchers developed a new particle resuspension prediction model based on quasi-static moment equilibrium, which considers flow characteristics, particle morphology, and rough wall surface. The model is more accurate than classical models and can be applied to traceability analysis of pollutants.
Researchers propose a novel approach to analyzing microplastic particles, highlighting the importance of particle size and shape in determining environmental impact. Studies show that even samples with similar numbers of particles can have varying levels of plastic pollution based on mass, volume, and specific surface area.
A new study finds that rising temperatures will increase harmful plant emissions and dust, leading to a 14% boost in air pollution. The degradation in future air quality from natural sources is predicted to be significant, with two-thirds of the pollution coming from plants.
A recent study has linked high levels of certain chemical pollutants to an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease. The research found that individuals with higher blood concentrations of specific pollutants were more likely to become infected and develop the disease.
A large study of over 2.5 million pregnancies in California found that exposure to wildfire smoke increased the risk of spontaneous preterm birth. The researchers analyzed data from 2007-2012 and found a significant association between wildfire smoke and premature labor, with an average exposure of 7.5 days.
A study of 3,284 London adolescents found associations between air pollutants and blood pressure. Higher nitrogen dioxide exposure was linked to lower systolic blood pressure in girls, while higher particulate matter 2.5 exposure was linked to higher systolic blood pressure in boys.
Scientists discovered high levels of toxic chemicals, including 4-nonylphenol from toilet paper, in the bodies of orcas in B.C., which may contribute to their population decline. Forever chemicals like 7:3-fluorotelomer carboxylic acid were also found, highlighting the need for pollution management and regulation.
A team at City University of Hong Kong has developed a novel approach to converting environmental temperature fluctuations into clean chemical energy using pyroelectric catalysis. By combining pyroelectric materials with localized plasmonic heat sources, the researchers achieved significantly faster and more efficient pyro-catalytic re...
Researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine found that subway stations near river tunnels have significantly higher concentrations of hazardous particles in the air. The study suggests increasing ventilation and cleaning efforts to improve air quality in these areas.
A new open-access Raman spectral library enables scientists to detect molecular 'fingerprints' of particles and better trace sources of ocean plastic pollution. The database adds 42 polymer types, including those from non-plastic particles, to improve accuracy.
A recent NIH study found associations between exposure to ozone and fine particulate matter and molecular changes in children's airways during non-viral asthma attacks. The study suggests that reducing air pollution could improve human health, particularly in urban communities with high-risk asthma populations.
Scientists at Chiba University create a durable material that can efficiently remove nitrate ions from water, with an adsorption capacity of 0.5 mmol/g. The new PAN-ACF material is stable under various storage conditions and can withstand treatments with boiling water, strong acidic and basic solutions.
Researchers discovered that microplastics can transform chromium metal into a more toxic form when attached to UV filters, potentially harming aquatic life. The study suggests that microplastics may not just accumulate contaminants, but also interact with them to increase environmental toxicity.
Scientists at Northwestern Medicine have discovered a causal link between environmental phthalates and increased uterine fibroid growth. Exposure to certain phthalates, such as DEHP, may activate a hormonal pathway that causes fibroid tumors to grow. This study explains the mechanisms behind this association.
Research found that air pollution from diesel exhaust and ozone significantly reduces the reproductive success of parasitic wasps controlling aphids on oilseed rape plants. The pollutants alter plant chemistry, attracting a specific wasp species more successfully.
A new study found that ultrafine particle concentration decreased by 48% during the COVID-19 state-of-emergency period due to reduced aviation and road activity. This reduction corresponded with flight activity dropping by 74% and highway traffic volume decreasing by 51%.
A new study by San Diego State University analyzed 332,277 TripAdvisor guest reviews and found that designated smoking and non-smoking rooms are insufficient for protecting guests from thirdhand smoke. Hotels that adopted 100% smoke-free policies had significantly fewer complaints related to tobacco pollution.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) have developed a more robust and realistic general method for dealing with wind-driven phenomena in geostatistical modeling, which promises to greatly improve the accuracy of pollutant dispersion prediction.
A new study finds that mild smog exposure during pregnancy is linked to higher risks of low birth weight, high blood pressure, and early water breaks. The research highlights the need for environmental protection measures to reduce air pollution's impact on pregnant women and their unborn children.
A study in Slovenia's Dinaric Alps found that wood burning in winter creates temperature inversions, trapping pollutants like soot and fine dust in valley bottoms. This can lead to high levels of particulate matter comparable to city centers, posing health risks.
Researchers created a composite of boron nitride and titanium dioxide that harnesses UV-A energy to break apart PFOA molecules in water, degrading 99% of the pollutant in less than three hours. The catalyst is more efficient than existing methods, offering new hope for removing PFOA from drinking water.
A University of Illinois study found tomatoes in Chicago backyard gardens have low levels of lead, making them relatively safe for consumption. However, improper soil handling and lack of washing can still pose health risks. Researchers recommend minimizing dust with heavy mulch and careful fruit washing to safely grow tomatoes.