Articles tagged with Pollutants
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.