Articles tagged with Pollution
Research highlights knowledge gaps in plastics' effects on climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution. Scientists found only a few studies addressing impacts on climate change and biodiversity, while the majority focus on environmental pollution.
University of Delaware researchers develop a method to remove toxic particles from tires by upgrading a molecule that provides UV protection into safe chemicals. The leftover crumb rubber can be recycled using classic plastic recycling methods or converted into aromatics and carbon black.
Heriot-Watt University has developed a world-first visual grading system to measure fibre shedding from clothing, aiming to reduce microplastic pollution in the fashion industry. The five-point scale assesses fibre fragments shed during washing, allowing manufacturers to select low-shedding materials and communicate with consumers.
Research reveals UK households are 'wishcycling' instead of recycling due to confusing product labels and differing recycling facilities. The study recommends standardization of bin collection services and uniform labelling to make recycling more effective for consumers.
A groundbreaking review finds that environmental exposure to air pollutants during prenatal development and early childhood significantly impact autism risk. The study identifies several key pathways through which air pollutants may influence ASD development, including nitrosative stress, neuroinflammation, and epigenetic modifications.
The new research highlights the complexity of plastics pollution, emphasizing its far-reaching effects on climate change, biodiversity loss, and freshwater usage. The study suggests a set of control variables to address plastics pollution in the Planetary Boundaries framework, promoting more sustainable responses.
A new study reveals that locally optimized urban forms can significantly reduce CO2 emissions, but generalizations cannot be made due to context-dependent relationships. Urban open and green spaces are found to be paramount in mitigating urban CO2 emissions.
Researchers found that wildfire suppressant products can contribute to elevated metal levels in the environment. The study tested 14 fire suppression products and found that they contained at least one metal exceeding EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level regulations for drinking water.
A comprehensive assessment of human activity in the Arctic reveals that over 5% of the region is affected by light pollution, with an annual increase of 4.8%. The study highlights the critical need for monitoring and planning to support sustainable development and conservation in the Arctic.
A new study by Harvard researchers finds alarmingly high PFAS concentrations in fish tissues even up to 8 km from the military base. The results underscore the urgent need for more comprehensive monitoring of PFAS in aquatic ecosystems, particularly in regions where freshwater fishing is an important food source.
A new study found that the US air pollution monitoring network has significant gaps in coverage, particularly in historically underrecognized communities. The network's inadequacy to capture exposure disparities has been highlighted as a major concern, with potential health implications for millions of people.
Researchers analyzed atmospheric mercury concentrations and found a 10% decline between 2005 and 2020, contrary to global inventories that indicate an increase. The study suggests that human activity-driven emissions are driving the trend, but limitations in data and scientific understanding remain.
A Dartmouth-led study found that air pollution from fossil fuels reaches the remote Arctic, altering its fundamental atmospheric chemistry. The researchers detected declines in methanesulfonic acid, a biomarker linked to phytoplankton productivity, which plummeted in environments high in emissions.
Researchers from Kyushu University found that reducing plastic waste entering oceans by 32% by 2035 would result in more than 50% less plastic in the oceans by 2050. The study aims to provide a clear numerical target for global efforts to tackle marine plastic pollution.
Industrial fishing practices in tropical and subtropical waters release high levels of methylmercury into the ocean. The majority of this mercury is found in large pelagic fish like tuna, which are then consumed by humans. This can lead to developmental delays in children and impaired cardiovascular health in adults.
Researchers have discovered microplastics in all three parts of coral anatomy, including surface mucus, tissue, and skeleton. This finding may explain the 'missing plastic problem' and suggests that corals could be sequestering plastic waste from the ocean.
A research team developed a computational workflow for analyzing large data sets in metabolomics, speeding up the process to capture chemical profiles of coastal environments. The tool, accessible to researchers worldwide, highlights potential sources of pollution and enables statistical insights within minutes.
A new USDA-funded research grant supports the development of sustainable, biodegradable mulch films that can provide nutrients to crops while reducing plastic pollution. The project aims to create durable and effective films that can be used for years without harming the environment.
The NEXUS exposomics coordinating center aims to deepen understanding of how environmental and social determinants impact health. Led by USC's Rima Habre, the center brings together diverse scientists to study place-based exposures using geospatial methods.
A study published in JACC found that metal exposure is associated with progression of plaque buildup in the arteries, comparable to traditional risk factors like smoking and diabetes. The findings support considering metal exposure as a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
A new study by University of Illinois Chicago researchers found that high levels of toxic metals in urine predicted faster increases in blood sugar. Individuals with highest arsenic exposure qualified as prediabetic 23 months earlier and diabetic 65 months earlier than those with lowest exposure.
A team of researchers from China successfully created plant-based simulated yellow croaker meat tissues using dual-nozzle 3D printing. The study found that the texture characteristics, moisture distribution, and nutrient content of the simulated fish were close to those of real fish, with a printing accuracy of over 90%.
Researchers found that women exposed to higher levels of nitrogen dioxide and inhalable particulate matter during the second trimester face an almost fourfold increased risk of postpartum depression. The study also discovered a sustained effect of air pollution on symptoms of depression for up to three years after birth.
A new filtration material developed by MIT researchers uses natural silk and cellulose to remove persistent chemicals, including PFAS and heavy metals. The material's antimicrobial properties help keep filters clean, providing a nature-based solution to water contamination.
Researchers found that recreational tubing and swimming have a short-term impact on stream chemistry and microbiome, increasing levels of metals and human-associated microbes.
Researchers analyzed water from over 100 wells in Denmark for trifluoroacetate, a persistent PFAS. Groundwater concentrations increased significantly since the 1960s, suggesting a link to changing atmospheric deposition and local pesticide application.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh mapped nitrogen losses county by county, finding high spatial disconnects between where beef is eaten and where nitrogen impacts are felt. This disconnect results in people living far from the area where their beef was produced experiencing negative environmental effects.
Researchers found that recreational activities like tubing and swimming temporarily introduce chemicals and microscopic organisms into local waterways. The study suggests that these changes can have significant impacts on plants and animals along the way, even if they are short-lived.
Two groundbreaking studies provide structural and functional insights into the chloroplast protein import system. The research revealed the assembly, function, and evolutionary diversity of the Ycf2-FtsHi complex, a crucial player in preprotein translocation.
A team of researchers from Empa and the University of Bristol used a novel tracer gas method to accurately measure HFC-23 emissions from a Teflon factory. The study found that abatement measures were effective in reducing emissions, but discrepancies between reported and actual emissions suggest need for independent verification.
A new USC study led by Caleb Finch shows how feeding mice the drug GSM-15606 provided protection against air pollution-related increases in proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease. The results indicate that GSM-15606 may one day have a role as a preventive measure against Alzheimer's in people living with air pollution.
Research published in ACS Environmental Science & Technology found that freezing can alter microplastics' sink-or-swim tendencies, with some polymers becoming larger and more buoyant after thawing. This could accelerate the accumulation of microplastics in freshwater lake or river sediments.
Researchers developed a new metric, R_AOD, to detect climate change using aerosols as tracers. They analyzed long-term satellite data and found significant temporal variations in aerosol transport, highlighting shifts in transboundary pollution pathways due to global warming.
A new substrate material developed at MIT, University of Utah, and Meta enables not only the recycling of materials and components but also scalable manufacture of complex multilayered circuits. The material's design allows for easy processing and dissolving, making it suitable for recycling precious metals and microchips.
Researchers at Dartmouth College have developed a self-powered pump that uses natural light and chemistry to target and remove specific water pollutants. The pump uses synthetic molecular receptors designed to bond to negatively charged ions, which are then trapped and released in a non-reactive substrate.
Researchers analyzed 549 reports from the Smell Vancouver app to discover that unpleasant smells like rotting and chemical odors dominate in Vancouver, linked to self-reported health issues. The study highlights the need for expanded urban air quality monitoring to address these issues.
A new study finds that exposure to particulate matter 2.5 microns or bigger rises by about 2.4 percent when daily travel patterns are taken into account. The research also reveals demographic disparities in exposure levels, with income and ethnicity playing a significant role.
Researchers discovered an estimated 400 billion microplastic fibers in Frenchman Bay and its tributaries, with concentrations highest in the bay itself. The study found that microplastics were transported from land through rivers and estuaries into the bay, posing a significant threat to marine life and humans.
Jordan Brown, a postdoctoral research associate at UTA, received a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the NSF to analyze bird specimens from European museums and track changes in air pollution levels. His research aims to understand how industrialization affected wildlife and contribute to the study of climate change.
Research shows that oil and natural gas development in the Permian Basin contributes to high eight-hour ozone concentrations frequently exceeding EPA health standards during summer months. The study uses data from a 2019 field survey to confirm the impact of drilling, flaring, and other activities on ozone levels.
A nationwide bottle deposit program could significantly increase the rate of plastics recycling in the US, from 24% to 82%, according to MIT researchers. With the right policies in place, including sufficient demand for recycled material, PET bottles can be safely made into new products with high quality and minimal processing.
Lehigh University researchers developed a novel spectroscopy technique called modulation excitation spectroscopy (MES) to study selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitrogen oxides. The results, published in Nature Communications, reveal the correct reaction pathway and have significant implications for optimizing catalytic converters.
The review highlights the need for accurate bioaerosol detection methods that can distinguish between microorganisms at the species level. Laser-induced fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy are identified as promising technologies for online monitoring, but flaws in current methods must be addressed to improve accuracy.
Long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with a higher need for help with lost independence in later life. Traffic-related sources generate the largest and most consistent increases in risk, suggesting controlling air pollution may delay or divert care needs.
A recent study by researchers from ACS found that landfill gas can release per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the air, posing potential health risks. The study analyzed vented gases at three landfills in Florida and discovered unexpectedly high levels of airborne PFAS.
Researchers discovered significant differences in particulate matter (PM) toxicity among Chinese cities, with some cities up to 6.5 times more toxic than others. This study highlights the need for city-specific air pollution control strategies that integrate toxicity factors to maximize health and economic benefits.
A study on fish communities in Daya Bay reveals a decline in diversity, shifts in composition, and shrinking of fish body size over the past 30 years. The research highlights the impact of environmental pollution, overfishing, and habitat fragmentation on the ecosystem.
Researchers found that denser foam sponges wear down more slowly and produce fewer microplastic fibers. The study estimated that 1.55 trillion fibers from melamine sponges could be released every month.
Nearly 40% of US households will exceed safety recommendations for lead-contaminated soil, with remediation costs potentially exceeding $1 trillion. The study found that approximately 29 million households are affected by elevated lead levels in their yards.
A cohort study found that severe dust exposure increased the risk of dementia in World Trade Center responders under 65. Using personalized protective equipment may prevent this age of onset, according to the research.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University found ethylene oxide concentrations thousands of times higher than EPA estimates, posing significant cancer risks to people living near facilities. The mobile lab measurements revealed alarming levels of the toxic gas in air and soil, highlighting the need for more accurate monitoring tools.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University developed a machine learning-based deicer that offers higher performance while minimizing environmental harm. The new mixture of propylene glycol and sodium formate solution shows improved ice penetration capacity, reducing the need for substance use.
Researchers found benzene in 97% of North American natural gas samples, posing a health risk to households with small leaks. The study suggests improved transparency and stricter regulations can improve indoor air quality and public health.
A new study by Tulane University found that dark chocolate is safe for consumption and even nutritionally beneficial, containing essential minerals like copper and zinc. Only four out of 155 dark chocolate bars sampled had cadmium levels that posed a risk to children weighing less than 33 pounds.
Researchers found that PFAS are introduced into the Great Lakes through precipitation and accumulate at different rates in each lake. The northern lakes are accumulating PFAS, while Lake Ontario is eliminating them. This study could inform future actions to mitigate PFAS presence in the Great Lakes.
Researchers from MIT and Georgia Tech have developed a filter made from yeast encapsulated in hydrogels that can quickly absorb lead from contaminated water. The process, called biosorption, uses waste beer yeast to bind to and remove heavy metal ions, offering a potentially cost-effective alternative to existing technologies.
A recent study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society found that birds on islands are more evolutionarily similar and diverse than expected, with more species thriving in agricultural areas. The research suggests that there may be fundamental principles of ecology at play, influencing bird evolution on islands.
Scientists have discovered DDT-related chemicals in deep-sea fish near Catalina Island, raising concerns about the persistence of toxic pollution in marine ecosystems. The contaminants are settling on the seafloor, potentially harming wildlife and human health if ingested.
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.
Four studies document the feasibility of microalgae-based and microbial wastewater treatment methods to remove nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. The methods show promise in reducing environmental harm while increasing midwestern seafood production and consumption.