Articles tagged with Pollution Control
A new study concludes that the air pollution control measures implemented in Beijing during the 2008 Olympic Games can significantly reduce lifetime lung cancer risk. If continued, these measures could lead to about 10,000 fewer lifetime cases of lung cancer.
A recent EFSA report reveals no known safe level of lead exposure, necessitating revised EU regulations. Lead contamination has been linked to cognitive impairment, ADHD, and increased risk of hypertension and neurocognitive decline.
Researchers propose a multi-faceted approach to avoid exceeding the 2-degree C temperature threshold, including reducing methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and other greenhouse gases. They advocate for aggressive simultaneous pursuit of strategies to stabilize CO2 concentrations and implement warming-neutral pollution laws.
In low-income settings, household energy interventions have greater potential to improve public health than those in high-income countries. In the UK, combined insulation and behavioral changes can avert 5,500 premature deaths and save 41 megatonnes of CO2. In India, introducing efficient cooking stoves can benefit up to 87% of househo...
New research highlights the importance of controlling short-lived greenhouse pollutants like sulphates, methane, and black carbon to reduce global warming and improve health. The study finds that sulphates can have negative health effects while ozone pollution has a significant impact on cardiovascular mortality.
A new study suggests that China's efforts to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions may not mitigate the effects of acid rain if nitrogen emissions are not addressed. The research highlights the importance of integrating measures to reduce sulfur, nitrogen, and particulate matter in order to effectively control pollution.
The K-State institute's intern program has received the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable's Most Valuable Pollution Prevention Program award for its innovation and measurable results in reducing waste and emissions. The program, launched in 2006, has led to significant environmental improvements and cost savings for participatin...
A new study reveals that homes in California are a significant source of water pollution, with pollutants such as pesticides and fertilizers contaminating rivers and lakes. The study estimates that current models may underestimate the amount of pollution contributed by homes by up to 50%.
Particulate air pollution during the 2008 Beijing Olympics was twice as high as recent games in Athens and triple that of Atlanta. Despite government efforts to reduce pollution, levels were unacceptable for most dangerous particulate matter 100% of the time, posing serious health risks to athletes and spectators.
A new tool developed at Purdue University helps sort out how to choose the best non-point source pollution control strategies for water resources. By analyzing data from an area, it can compute the most cost-effective solutions in just a few hours.
A nationwide study found that long-term exposure to elevated ground ozone significantly raises the risk of dying from lung disease. The risk is more than 30 percent greater in metropolitan areas with high ozone concentrations compared to those with low concentrations.
Case Western Reserve researchers are investigating the physical and chemical consequences of sunlight absorption by toxic nitro-aromatic pollutants in the environment. The goal is to understand how these compounds transform into more harmful products and predict their environmental fate.
Satellite data from NASA's Aura and Terra satellites shows a nearly 50% decline in nitrogen dioxide levels and a 20% drop in carbon monoxide levels during the 2008 Olympic pollution controls. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of air quality restrictions, but also highlight challenges in detecting sulfur dioxide due to its longe...
Athletes with asthma face increased risk of symptoms due to high minute ventilation and poor air quality during exercise. Individualized management plans are crucial to comply with anti-doping regulations.
The new software application uses Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to select the most efficient BMPs for a particular location based on site-specific criteria. This approach is expected to drastically reduce the BMP selection time and eliminate human error.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory has developed emission control strategies to meet air quality goals for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. The modeling study, funded by the EPA, suggests that regional pollutants and ozone build up over several days due to meteorology and topography.
Carnegie Mellon researchers identify improved control of livestock feed, efficient nitrogen use, and low-emission fertilizers as effective strategies for reducing ammonia emissions. These measures can save $8,000 per ton in winter, making them a cheaper alternative to controlling sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide pollution.
NIST researchers have developed a more accurate method for measuring distillation curves, which are crucial for characterizing fuel composition and performance. The new approach eliminates uncertainties and systematic errors, enabling better correlation with thermodynamic theory used in modern fuels and engines.
Penn State's Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies is recycling 500,000 discarded tires into road fill, reducing sediment pollution and mosquito breeding grounds. The project uses bailed tires to fill degraded dirt roads, incorporating drainage structures to prevent water runoff.
A NASA study found that ozone pollution, a significant contributor to global air pollution, played a substantial role in warming the Arctic during winter and spring. Ozone was responsible for one-third to half of the observed warming trend in the region, with its impact being most pronounced near sources of emissions.
The 2005 Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI) ranks countries on 21 elements of environmental sustainability. Finland scores highest, performing well on issues like air pollution and global-scale environmental efforts, while the US ranks 45th due to weaker performance on waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study found that fine particulate matter in Hong Kong's air is four times the U.S. standard, with significant contributions from industrial activity in Guangdong Province, China. The think tank recommends implementing emission controls and upgrading vehicle standards to reduce pollution levels.
Researchers tracked dust particles from Sahara desert to Toronto using laser ablation mass spectrometer, revealing global pollutants on local streets. The study enables identification of pollutants without prior knowledge of their origin.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new chemical sensor that can detect NOx pollutants with enhanced accuracy and rapid detection. The sensor uses an innovative filter to remove interference from carbon monoxide, allowing it to pick out specific gases from combustion exhaust.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new method to clean up toxic plumes by using solid forms of organic material containing potassium permanganate. These time-released chunks slowly dissolve over weeks and months, controlling the distribution of pollutants in wet soil. The method has shown promising results in laborat...
Scientists say that replacing gasoline-fueled vehicles with cleaner diesel technology could lead to a significant increase in surface ozone levels, particularly in the Southeast. The study found that pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons also increased, highlighting the need for more effective pollution control measures.
Researchers propose an international treaty to control air pollutants like ozone and aerosols, which can cause respiratory diseases. The treaty aims to unite countries in addressing short-term health risks while also reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
A study in Hong Kong found that reducing sulphur emissions led to a 2% decline in all-cause deaths and a 5% decrease in respiratory disease-related deaths. The policy change also resulted in increased life expectancy, with women experiencing a 20-day lifetime increase and men experiencing a 40-day increase.
Research suggests that reducing air pollution can lead to significant cost savings in healthcare, particularly for outpatient care. The study found a strong correlation between air pollution levels and respiratory admissions, with the greatest hospital admissions occurring in the Deep South.
A study by Arlene M. Fiore and colleagues suggests that reducing manmade methane emissions could have a greater impact on global ozone levels than reducing nitrogen oxide emissions. This reduction in methane would also help decrease greenhouse warming and surface air pollution.
A new report suggests that soot particles could have a significant impact on global warming, with potential policy implications. The study's findings introduce new uncertainty into climate models and shift responsibility for reducing pollution to developing nations like China and India.
Researchers from Brookhaven National Laboratory found that high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the Houston Ship Channel region contribute to excessive ozone production. The study's findings may lead to more effective regulations for protecting public health.
Researchers found a significant link between exposure to high levels of ozone and carbon monoxide during the second month of pregnancy and an increased risk of conotruncal heart defects. The study analyzed data from over 9,000 babies born in Los Angeles and found that women exposed to elevated pollution levels were three times as likel...
The Purdue-based center will focus on bioremediation and phytoremediation to clean up pollution. It will work with state governments, local communities, and industry to revitalize polluted sites using cost-effective natural remediation technologies.
A seven-year study by University of Florida researchers found a 73% drop in mercury levels in wading bird chicks' feathers since 1994. The declines may be linked to the removal of mercury from commercial products and industrial processes, starting in the late 1980s.
Children's lung development is slowed due to air pollution, according to a comprehensive study. Lung function growth rates were 10% lower in the most polluted community compared to cleaner areas, with effects also observed in asthmatic and healthy children.
The environment plays a significant role in cancer development, with occupational factors and environmental pollution attributed to 5-7% of cancer deaths. Dr. Richard Clapp reviews the relationship between environmental exposure and cancer, emphasizing the importance of cancer prevention and physician screening for hazardous exposures.
A report by the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation identifies industrial plants in the US as the main polluters of dioxin in Nunavut, with sources including municipal waste incinerators and cement kilns. The findings provide a new tool for governments to clamp down on polluters and control emissions.
A national team of over 150 researchers will study air pollution in the Houston region, combining data from six research aircraft and 60 ground-based monitoring stations. The goal is to identify cost-effective ways to control pollutants and protect public health.
Researchers at Purdue University and Ford Motor Co. developed an advanced electronic system to monitor engine health and adapt fuel delivery, eliminating the need for time-consuming engine mapping. The technology aims to reduce maintenance costs by automatically keeping engines running smoothly as they age.
The International Conference on Heavy Metals in the Environment will discuss successes and failures of research on human exposure to toxic metals. Major themes include risk assessment, environmental epidemiology, and human health effects, with a focus on protecting children from toxic metals.
The American Chemical Society will present research on weight-loss supplements, museum treasures, and fuel additives. The meeting will feature symposia on conjugated linoleic acids, endocrine disruptors, and pollution reduction.
The EPA has chosen Washington University in St. Louis to monitor fine particle matter air pollution in the St. Louis metropolitan area, as part of a comprehensive and collaborative program. The project aims to investigate relationships between pollutants and human illnesses, including cardiovascular disease and pulmonary illnesses.
Researchers found that increasing humus content can increase quinoline's movement to groundwater, but mineral interactions play a key role. The study suggests that strongly bound pollutants may still be broken down by microorganisms.
Researchers found that organic particles increase cloud droplet formation, making clouds more reflective of sunlight. This results in a 20% increase in droplets and a 6% reduction in droplet size, leading to a 1% decrease in Earth's temperature, potentially offsetting climate warming effects
A new study by researchers at the University of Southern California found that children with asthma are significantly more affected by severe air pollution than other children. Living in communities with high levels of pollutants is associated with higher rates of bronchitis and phlegm among children with a doctor diagnosis of asthma.
Researchers attribute decrease in atmospheric carbon monoxide levels to reductions in manmade emissions, consistent with trends reported by the EPA. The study found a significant decrease of around five parts per billion by volume in carbon monoxide concentration levels at Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.
The biotrickling filter technology uses naturally occurring microorganisms to metabolize air pollutants into harmless byproducts. It has been successfully tested at the Naval Air Station-North Island in San Diego, reducing HAP emissions from aircraft painting operations by up to 95%.
Researchers developed a novel afterburner technology that increases waste consumption in marine incinerators by a factor of 3.2 while reducing carbon monoxide emission by the same amount. The technology also eliminated visible smoke emission during operation.
A new study shows that International Maritime Organisation (IMO) rules are being applied globally, even by countries not bound to them. This shift indicates the IMO has taken on a universal law-making role, overseeing safety at sea and pollution prevention.
A USGS study published in Atmospheric Environment reveals that air in Washington's Mount Rainier National Park contains higher concentrations of ozone than nearby urban areas. This poses a threat to park visitors and the beautiful forests, wetlands, and alpine meadows within the park.
A new technology using coated alumina could reduce emissions from small sources, such as industrial boilers and lawn mowers. The technique removes 95% of nitrogen oxides under conditions similar to combustion exhaust.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University and Arizona State University have launched an open internet-based workshop on pollution prevention research and teaching in higher education. The goal of the workshop is to formulate recommendations and guidelines for pollution prevention research in academia, with a focus on establishin...
A new bioreactor system uses solvent and bacteria to clean up toxic organic chemicals like benzene, toluene, and p-xylene. The system can recover over 99% of pollutants from soil and is efficient at breaking down high concentrations of waste.
New Swedish research reveals that even small doses of environmental pollutants can cause lifelong neurological disturbances in laboratory animals. The study also raises concerns about the impact on human babies, highlighting the need for continued vigilance in monitoring these toxic substances.
Studies have shown that low doses of dioxin can cause spontaneous abortions, changes in the immune system, and developmental issues in animals. Fish are also being studied as models for understanding dioxin toxicity, with high levels of toxic pollutants found in northern environments, affecting polar bears, porpoises, and other species.
A Johns Hopkins University researcher is creating reliable predictions about how contamination will spread through soil, enabling public officials to charge equitable pollution impact fees. This information can also benefit private builders by deciding whether building on a particular site will be too costly due to pollution impact fees.
The report highlights the problems caused by nonpoint source pollution, including eutrophication, which can lead to fish kills, coral reef destruction, and shellfish poisoning. The report provides solutions, such as reducing fertilizer applications, improving sewer systems, and restoring wetlands.
A new study reveals that Asian industrial smog is affecting the US West Coast, with 10% of ozone and pollutants coming from East Asia. The University of Washington's research station detected higher levels of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone, which are likely to be lower in Asia just 30 years ago.
A recent field study found that use of ethanol fuels leads to increased levels of toxins called aldehydes and peroxyacyl nitrates (PAN), which can last for many days in the air. PAN is highly toxic to plants and a powerful eye irritant, posing health and environmental risks.