Articles tagged with Pollutants
Researchers developed a new mathematical model to simulate water pollution in alluvial rivers, accounting for sediment transport and riverbed evolution. The study improves understanding of pollutant transport dynamics, providing an effective tool for water safety and river management.
Researchers developed a stem cell model to assess the neurotoxicity of Bisphenol A (BPA) efficiently and cost-effectively. The study showed that BPA may alter embryonic development in vivo, highlighting the potential health risks associated with environmental pollution.
A University of Pittsburgh analysis found pregnant women living near high-density natural gas wells were more likely to have babies with lower birth weights. The study, published in PLOS ONE, examined birth records from southwestern Pennsylvania and controlled for various factors that may influence newborn weight.
Invasive earthworms in New England's forests are bioaccumulating high levels of toxic metals, including lead and mercury, which may harm birds, amphibians, and mammals that feed on them. The Dartmouth-led study found similar situations in forests across the northeastern United States.
A Norwegian Institute of Public Health study finds that maternal levels of DDE associated with rapid infant growth, while PCB153 in milk linked to decreased growth. The study highlights the need to reduce environmental pollutants to protect children's development.
A study by Spanish scientists confirms that exposure to persistent organic pollutants in the body is linked to higher levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and obesity. The researchers analyzed nearly 300 men and women and found a correlation between pollutant levels and health risks.
Scientists at the University of Manchester have identified a novel process for lowering pollutant toxicity using vitamin B12, offering new hope for combating hazardous substances. The research builds on 15 years of investigation into natural organisms that can detoxify pollutants.
Researchers from North Carolina State University assessed the effectiveness of three filter bed substrates (sand, soil, and slate) in reducing pollutants and supporting plant growth in rain gardens. The study found that all three substrates functioned in reducing pollutant quantity, but with varying levels of success.
Research reveals endocrine disrupting chemicals cause feminization in male thick-lipped grey mullet; 60-91% of males show vitellogenin and Aromatase Cyp19a1b gene expression, indicating feminization. Estuaries across Basque coast show high levels of pollutants contributing to the phenomenon.
A team of climatologists led by UC Riverside researchers found that the recent widening of the tropical belt is primarily caused by multi-decadal sea surface temperature variability in the Pacific Ocean, including the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and anthropogenic pollutants. The study suggests that climate models underestimate the obse...
A study by Montreal researchers found a significant link between exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and certain metabolic complications of obesity. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, suggests that metabolically healthy but obese individuals have lower circulating levels of POPs tha...
The photochemical behavior of organic sunscreens in natural waters can influence their environmental fate and ecological risk. Research has shown that photolysis half-lives range from several hours to a month, with dissolved oxygen, pH, and water constituents influencing transformation rates.
A new study demonstrates that ingested microplastic delivers pollutants and additives into animal tissue, compromising key functions sustaining health and biodiversity. The findings show toxic concentrations of pollutants and additives in the tissues of animals that have eaten microplastic.
Research suggests that lifelong exposure to low levels of food contaminants can lead to metabolic diseases, with females showing a deterioration in glucose tolerance and liver-related changes. The study highlights the potential impact of pollutants on public health when combined in realistic mixtures.
A new study from Harvard School of Public Health found that women exposed to high levels of air pollution while pregnant were up to twice as likely to have a child with autism. The study examined data from over 116,000 nurses and found associations between air pollution and autism risk in children.
The study highlights the importance of considering chiral POPs' individual toxicities and sources in assessing environmental risks. Enantiomeric ratio and fraction are used as tracers, revealing altered EF values in organisms and environmental matrices.
Vegetated drainage ditches have been shown to effectively capture herbicides and insecticides from field runoff, reducing their impact on downstream waterways. This innovative solution provides a cost-effective way for farmers to manage agricultural pollutants and protect natural resources.
Nearly 23% of American women aged 16-49 have high levels of lead, mercury, and PCBs in their blood. Risk factors include age, fish consumption, heavy drinking, and breastfeeding. Women should learn about their risks before becoming pregnant.
Lab research reveals airborne particles form a protective vessel for pollutant transport, with pollutants trapped inside lasting longer. The symbiotic relationship between pollutants and airborne particles explains how city pollution reaches the Arctic.
A preliminary study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that couples with high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and similar environmental pollutants take longer to achieve pregnancy. The study suggests a possible link between exposure to these pollutants and pregnancy delay.
Researchers discovered that pollutant particles accumulate in specific areas of the urban environment, forming coherent structures. This finding can help generate maps to identify high-pollution zones and inform strategies for mitigating pollution.
Researchers found that genes are only moderately sensitive for cadmium and zinc, but can be a more sensitive indicator for copper. The study suggests that genes may not be the best early warning indicator of ecological risks, contrary to previous assumptions. Further investigation is needed with more data.
Researchers found that prenatal exposure to xenoestrogens from urban pollution is associated with higher birth weights in infants. The study established a correlation between estrogenic burden in pregnant women's placenta and increased birth weight.
The size of dead zones in the Chesapeake Bay has decreased steadily since the late 1980s, linked to reduced nutrient pollution efforts, while early summer spikes are influenced by climate forces, not pollutants
A study published in PNAS found a strong association between high levels of pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and an increased risk of spina bifida and anencephaly in newborns. The researchers collected placentas from 80 fetuses with birth defects and found high concentrations of endosulfan, lindane, and PAHs.
A Californian-based study found traffic-related air pollution, particularly PAH, is linked to a 30% increase in premature births. Seasonal changes and proximity to the coast also affect pollutant concentrations.
Researchers have detected emerging pollutants, including 'dechlorane plus', in peregrine falcon eggs from Spain and Canada. The presence of these chemicals has been found to be higher in Canadian samples than Spanish ones.
A new study found that prenatal exposure to air pollutants, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), is linked to attention problems and anxiety/depression in young children. The study monitored 215 children from birth and found that those with high levels of PAH exposure had more symptoms at ages 5 and 7.
A University of Michigan ecologist found that biologically diverse streams are better at removing nitrate, a nitrogen compound pollutant, than less rich waterways. Niche partitioning, where each species occupies a unique habitat, increases the stream's absorbent sponge-like ability to clean pollutants.
A new study reveals that pollutants from Asia are being transported to the stratosphere during monsoon season, potentially affecting global climate. The research found that black carbon, sulfur dioxide, and other pollutants are lifted into the stratosphere by Asian monsoon circulation patterns.
Scientists analyzed over 300 papers to establish relationships between buffer design features and pollutant removal efficacy. The study found that buffers with trees have higher nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficacy than those with grasses or mixtures of grasses and trees.
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.
The centre will analyse environmental factors affecting the UK population, focusing on vulnerable groups and potential health risks such as respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer. Researchers aim to measure the effects of pollutants on human health using new tools and methods.
Research suggests that air pollution is a significant contributor to heart disease, particularly among the elderly, those with coronary artery disease, diabetics, women, and obese individuals. Exposure to particulate matter can increase blood pressure, activate enzymes that cause plaque rupture, and lead to a heart attack.
Research suggests that tributyltin, a persistent pollutant, affects gene activity and promotes the growth of fat storage cells in animals, potentially contributing to the obesity epidemic. The chemical's impact on retinoid X receptors, which regulate metabolism, is a recent discovery.
Clemson University environmental chemist Cindy Lee receives NSF funding to investigate how PCBs cycle through fish and other organisms before reaching consumers. Her research aims to track the changes in PCB behavior and determine their impact on human brain development.
Iron-TAMLs, a type of environmentally friendly catalyst, have been shown to be highly effective in reducing and cleaning up pollutants. The catalysts convert harmful substances into less toxic ones when paired with hydrogen peroxide, making them a promising alternative to existing industrial practices.
A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that traffic-related pollution increases the risk of asthma, hay fever, and eczema in children by more than 50%. Children living closer to roads are at a higher risk due to increased exposure to pollutants and aerosols.
Researchers at University of Granada create monolithic carbon aerogel capable of eliminating benzene, toluene, and xylene, organic solvents widely used in the hydrocarbon industry. The material can be easily regenerated and used in multiple cycles.
Researchers are using transgenic poplars to remove pollutants from a contaminated site in north-central Indiana. The trees have been shown to absorb and break down contaminants such as trichloroethylene, making them a promising solution for phytoremediation.
Researchers have measured concentrations of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) in human blood serum, cod liver oil, and house dust using NIST's Standard Reference Materials (SRMs). The results provide a better understanding of the source and degree of PBDE contamination in humans and the environment.
Scientists will analyze air and aerosol pollutants using aircraft, ground stations, and satellite observations. The goal is to understand the impact of urban pollution on regional and global climate, ecosystems, and visibility.
A new study shows that the net benefits of eating wild Pacific salmon outweigh those of eating farmed Atlantic salmon when considering chemical contaminants. Regional differences in contaminant levels make some farmed salmon safer choices than others.
A study found that exposure to persistent organochlorine pollutants like CB-153 and DDE is significantly associated with a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes among fishermen and their wives. The results show that those with higher blood levels of these pollutants have a higher risk of developing the disease.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have discovered a green catalyst, Fe-TAML, that can efficiently destroy nitrophenol pollutants. The catalyst works with hydrogen peroxide and has shown promise in killing biological warfare agents, reducing fuel pollutants, and detoxifying pesticides.
A study by Canadian scientists found high levels of pollutant films on windows in lower Manhattan six weeks after the 9/11 attacks, revealing concentrations up to 10 times greater than normal background levels. The findings suggest that urban areas like New York City have high levels of toxic organic pollutants.
Researchers found that pollutants like lindane and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) behave differently in the presence of organic matter and sunlight, with HCB degrading at higher rates. The study suggests that pollutants can have varying effects on local ecosystems and human health.
Researchers found that every slice of toothed whale red meat exceeded Japan's mercury limit, with some samples containing almost 200 times the maximum value. Mercury levels were higher in whales caught off the southern coast of Japan.
A new instrument, PILS, automates aerosol sampling and provides more detailed time-dependent information on atmospheric pollutants. This allows scientists to make frequent measurements, revealing previously unknown morning and afternoon peaks in pollutant levels.
Research found that men exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) before age 20 had a lower chance of having a baby boy, with a 35% difference. The study's lead author proposes that dioxin-like compounds may negatively impact the viability of Y-chromosome carrying sperm or XY-fertilised eggs.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that low-income households and child-care facilities in New York state have high levels of air pollutants, including radon, lead, and mold. These pollutants can lead to serious health issues such as lead poisoning, asthma attacks, and allergies.
A virtual lung model developed at PNNL may help predict pollutant impact on respiratory systems, providing new insights into asthma and other pulmonary diseases. The model simulates how pollutants enter, travel through, and collect in the lungs, enabling scientists to design targeted treatments.
A Kenyan study found a significant link between exposure to particulate matter (PM10) from biomass fuels and acute respiratory infections. The researchers estimated the public health benefits of reduced PM10 exposure, with the greatest impact seen for average exposures below 1000-2000 mg/m3.