Articles tagged with Pollution
A new study by MIT researchers and their collaborators at national laboratories quantifies I-129 release under three different scenarios: direct disposal in deep underground repositories, dilution and release, and filters to capture I-129. France's practice of reprocessing releases 90% of I-129 into the biosphere, while U.S. approach l...
A study warns that Ukraine's soils are losing vital crop nutrients due to reduced fertilizer access and inefficient farming practices. To mitigate this, the authors recommend better farm management, efficient use of fertilizers, and introducing legumes into crop rotations.
Researchers analyzed liver and skeletal muscle samples from dead sea otters and found high levels of toxic 'forever' chemicals, linked to increased disease mortality. Concentrations were three times higher near major cities and shipping routes, highlighting a significant health risk to the species.
A practical, evidence-based checklist developed by scientists at the University of Surrey is helping everyone plan their next greening project with confidence. The study found that mixed gardens, such as small front gardens with a tree, shrubs, and green walls, give the greatest economic benefits for their size.
Researchers at Binghamton University are testing the long-term stability and environmental effects of perovskite solar cells, a more environmentally friendly option, to prevent lead leakage and pollution. The study aims to improve the durability and recyclability of solar panels, enabling widespread adoption of renewable energy sources.
The Lancet Countdown report reveals that the world is facing unprecedented levels of health threats due to climate change, with millions of lives lost unnecessarily. The report calls for urgent action to limit future harm by prioritizing human health in policy decisions.
The ATP-DEC calculator provides accurate and transparent information on carbon disclosure, helping align aviation with climate targets. It captures real-world variations and life cycle emissions, making it a crucial tool for policymakers, airlines, and passengers.
A new study reveals Low-Cost Source Apportionment (LoCoSA) is being used to great effect across the Global South, offering a powerful tool for improving public health and environmental policy. Researchers are now putting their findings into practice in Uganda, identifying and understanding dominant sources of Kampala's air pollution.
The global construction sector's carbon footprint is projected to double by 2050, driven by cement, steel, and brick emissions. A material revolution is needed to reduce reliance on these materials and explore low-carbon alternatives.
A multiyear analysis of over 400,000 women and 28,000 breast cancer cases found a strong association between outdoor air pollution and increased breast cancer incidence. The study suggests that reducing car traffic and promoting alternative transportation can help mitigate this risk.
A team of scientists introduces a nature-based solution to tackle global soil pollution by harnessing microbes and iron minerals. Microbial iron mining removes toxic substances like heavy metals and organic pollutants, transforming them into less hazardous forms.
Constructed wetlands can mimic natural water purification processes, but studies of full-scale CWs have been limited. Researchers identified key factors affecting removal efficiency, including carbon sources and hydraulic parameters.
A new model shows that buoyant plastics degrade slowly at the surface, fragmenting into smaller particles over decades. These tiny fragments can then sink to the ocean floor, but it may take more than 100 years for surface plastic waste to disappear.
A study published in npj Clean Air found significant reductions in NO2 and NOx pollution following the introduction of ULEZ in 2019. The team also found that the benefits extended beyond the designated zone, indicating a wider spill-over effect.
Scientists found that breathing dusty air from the Salton Sea can alter the lung microbiome and trigger immune responses in mice. The study suggests that chronic exposure to such dust could have significant health effects, including asthma.
The winners of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2025 have been recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to global challenges through applied microbiology. The awards celebrate excellence across various domains, including drug discovery and sustainable agriculture.
Researchers at NTNU identify main sources of plastic pollution and explore solutions that change production and consumption habits. Measures emphasizing pro-social and pro-ecological values have been found to be effective in bringing about profound changes.
Researchers from Florida International University have detected a dozen different PFAS compounds within the Miccosukee Indian Reservation in the Everglades. The findings raise questions about potential impacts on water quality and ecosystem health, particularly with regards to ongoing Everglades restoration efforts.
A study by Pusan National University finds that aerosols intensify ocean rainfall while delaying land storms, affecting water resources and flood protection. High aerosol levels alter precipitation patterns, with increased rainfall over the ocean and decreased rainfall over land.
A new study suggests that electric vehicles can help mitigate climate change and public health issues by strategically charging and discharging from the grid. By doing so, EVs can sell stored energy back to the grid, reducing emissions and helping to build more renewable energy generators.
A recent study using citizen science found that household dryers release both natural and synthetic microfibers into the environment. The research estimates that 3,543 metric tons of microfibers are released each year nationwide, with a significant portion coming from natural fabrics.
Johannes Lelieveld's research on air quality, emissions, and climate change has demonstrated the interconnectedness of these issues. His work provides new insights into human health risks and informs policy decisions to address pressing societal challenges.
A combination of wetland plants and a specific fungus has been found to be highly effective in removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from contaminated wastewater. The fungus, Rhizophagus irregularis, boosts the ability of wetlands to remove PFAS, reducing environmental risks associated with these long-lasting compounds.
Researchers found a strong link between compound droughts and wildfires in California, leading to increased fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations. The study shows that severe droughts can substantially raise wildfire risk, with PM2.5 levels increasing by 9.5·m³ under extreme conditions.
A new study estimates that ongoing childhood lead exposure costs the world over $3.4 trillion annually, with disproportionate impacts on low- and middle-income countries. The researchers propose a four-pronged strategy to curb a resurgence in global inequalities and set back progress in children's health.
During a federal government shutdown, coal-fired power plants increased daily emissions of particulate matter, while sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions remained steady. The findings highlight the importance of stable enforcement and continuous monitoring for reducing pollution and protecting public health.
Rice exposed to nanoplastics and cadmium suffered a 16% loss in biomass, but biochar treatment increased biomass by over 80% and restored chlorophyll and protein levels. Biochar formed a physical barrier, trapped pollutants, and enhanced antioxidant activity.
A new study found that nearly half of UK households underestimate how much plastic they throw away each week, with online shoppers being the most unconscious consumers. The research calls for supermarkets to change infrastructure and systems to promote reuse and refill schemes.
Researchers at Tohoku University utilized AI to develop strategies for water treatment and air pollution control. The study highlights innovative approaches using machine learning in material screening and global distribution simulation of pollutants.
A new review warns of growing heavy metal threats in reservoirs, highlighting the need for smarter monitoring and greener cleanup solutions. Researchers identify sources, risks, and promising solutions to tackle this global challenge.
A multi-national study found that higher levels of air pollution are linked to worse symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in European patients. The study revealed a modest but measurable increase in the apnoea hypopnea index (AHI) for every one unit increase in PM10 concentration.
Researchers have discovered microplastics in the endangered Indus River dolphin, finding fibers and other particles in the GI tracts of all five stranded individuals. The study highlights the urgent need for conservation strategies to address this pollution issue.
A study found that sea foam from several beaches in North Carolina's coastal region contain higher levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compared to the water below. Researchers detected PFAS concentrations in sea foam reaching tens to thousands of times higher than in regular seawater.
Exposure to lower levels of air pollutants is associated with improved vision in children, suggesting that reducing exposure could slow the progression of myopia. Children who live in areas with cleaner air have better vision, especially younger students.
Researchers have developed a low-cost material that can clean antibiotics out of water, using steel sludge as a valuable resource. The biochar breaks down tetracycline through chemical reactions, removing over 85% in just two hours.
Brazilian researchers analyzed over 60 scientific articles on microplastics and their impact on bone health. They found that the materials can impair bone marrow stem cells, accelerate cell aging, and promote inflammation, leading to potential bone weakening and fractures.
A new study reveals that small electric charges between particles play a crucial role in forming highly concentrated clusters in turbulent environments. This discovery has significant implications for climate research, medicine, engineering, and science, enabling better predictions and controls.
Researchers have found that plastic nanoparticles can enter crops during growth, accumulating in edible parts and potentially affecting human health. The study used radishes to demonstrate the uptake of nanoplastics by plants, with nearly 5% of particles retained by the root system.
A growing body of research links environmental pollutants to worsened health and shorter life spans in childhood cancer survivors. The study found that only 25% of pediatric oncology providers felt comfortable discussing environmental pollutant impacts with patients.
The IUCN Microbial Conservation Specialist Group is a new coalition of experts aiming to integrate microbiology into global biodiversity governance. The group's priorities include building a global network, mapping microbial conservation hotspots, developing microbe-specific Red List criteria, and mapping existing projects.
Research by ETH Zurich reveals human-induced climate change has increased extreme heat wave frequency and severity, with fossil fuel and cement production contributing significantly. The study highlights the responsibility of large carbon emitters, such as oil and gas companies, in exacerbating heat waves.
Researchers found little evidence of disproportionate siting in Black counties, but a growing share of the Black population over time. Long-term demographic shifts after power plant openings led to higher Black population shares, with an average rise of 4% in 50-70 years.
Researchers investigated how natural microfibers and synthetic materials degrade under simulated sunlight in freshwater and seawater. The study found significant differences in degradation rates between the two materials, with implications for aquatic ecosystems.
Researchers found that caustic alkaline waste in corroded metal barrels off Los Angeles created extreme environments mirroring natural hydrothermal vents. The discovery suggests the waste has persisted for over half a century, joining DDT as a persistent pollutant with long-term environmental impacts.
A study examined the interactive effects of meteorological factors and air pollution on influenza cases in Huaian, China. The main findings showed that increasing PM2.5 levels decreased risk at low concentrations but increased risk at high concentrations.
Microbial communities around alkali waste barrels have low diversity and are dominated by alkalophilic bacteria, similar to those found at hydrothermal vents. The ecological effects of caustic alkaline waste dumping are expected to take thousands of years to cease.
As Arctic permafrost thaws, geochemical reactions unleash metals like cadmium, harming fish and disrupting ecosystems. The Salmon River's transformation poses indirect threats to Indigenous communities and other species.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a method to convert plastic waste into a climate solution for efficient and sustainable CO2 capture. The new material, BAETA, can absorb CO2 out of the atmosphere efficiently compared to existing carbon capture technologies.
Recent physicochemical technologies for PFAS removal have been summarized in a comprehensive assessment, offering guidance for sustainable solutions. The methods are capable of breaking PFAS's strong carbon–fluorine bonds, achieving removal rates exceeding 90%.
Researchers have developed a new method to accurately measure the acidity of PFAS, finding some to be thousands of times more acidic than previously thought. This breakthrough could help track the persistence and spread of these toxic chemicals in the environment.
Researchers have developed a living sensor that attaches to plastic and produces green fluorescence, detecting environmentally relevant levels of microplastics in real-world water samples. The biosensor uses a genetically engineered bacterium to activate when bacterial cells contact plastic, producing measurable fluorescence within hours.
A global assessment reveals that ocean plastics pose ecological risks in areas with dense marine life and pollutants, even in waters with modest plastic levels. The study identifies high-risk zones, including the North Pacific and North Atlantic oceans, where coordinated efforts can substantially lessen threats.
A new study reveals that the Tijuana River releases large quantities of toxic gases, including hydrogen sulfide, contributing to poor air quality across the region. The polluted river's poor water quality mirrors the symptoms reported by residents of South Bay communities, highlighting the need for improved environmental protection.
A landmark review published by FAU reveals that sargassum is a rapidly growing and widely distributed marine organism. The study found that the Atlantic Ocean's sargassum biomass has increased by over 50% since the 1980s, with nitrogen content rising sharply.
Simpler, physics-based models can generate more accurate predictions than state-of-the-art deep-learning models for certain climate scenarios. However, simple models are more accurate when estimating regional surface temperatures, while deep-learning approaches excel at local rainfall estimation.
Researchers found that heat waves across Africa are now hotter, longer, and more frequent, mainly due to human activities. The study aimed to fill the knowledge gap on climate extremes in Africa and provide insights for mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Researchers have developed a smart hydrogel surface that can instantly recognize whether it's in contact with oil or water and switch its behavior to separate the two. The surface achieves a record-breaking separation speed of 17,750 liters per square meter per hour, three to five times faster than most current membranes.
A new study suggests that exposure to wildfire-derived PM2.5 is linked to increased mortality and morbidity, with a 93% underestimation of the actual death toll. The research estimated 535 annual deaths from all causes due to short-term exposure to wildfire smoke.
A new project at FAU aims to advance water quality monitoring in Lake Okeechobee by understanding how common contaminants break down after being released into freshwater environments. The team will deploy passive sampling devices and use cutting-edge chemical analysis to predict which contaminants are forming dangerous byproducts.
The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics monitors the effects of plastic pollution on human health, citing $1.5 trillion in annual economic losses. Researchers track the life cycle of plastics to identify key drivers of harm, including production, use, and disposal.