Articles tagged with Environmental Health
The study found a positive shift in the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among U.S. children between 2016 and 2023, with an increase in individuals reporting 0 ACEs and a decrease in severe ACEs. This trend suggests a reduction in severe ACEs among specific racial and ethnic groups and low-income families.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals that manure digesters are not a climate solution due to methane emissions and increased pollution hazards. The technology is criticized for incentivizing industrial animal agriculture with no meaningful climate benefit.
A Boston University study finds nearly 14% of the US population lives within a mile of fossil fuel infrastructure, posing potential health risks. The research highlights inequities in exposure, with predominantly non-white groups and urbanites disproportionately affected.
A 20-year study of 11,000 adults in Bangladesh found that reducing arsenic levels in drinking water was associated with lower mortality rates from heart disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses. The study provides the first long-term, individual-level evidence that reducing arsenic exposure may lower mortality even among people exp...
A new study will analyze the effects of extreme weather on childhood development using big data. The research aims to better understand how weather-related events influence pediatric health and development, which could help address growing health disparities.
Researchers found a strong association between nitrogen dioxide levels and increased risk of cardiac arrest, with a 7% rise for every 10 micrograms per cubic metre increase. The study highlights the importance of considering environmental data in health forecasting systems.
A new policy brief argues that current EU regulations fail to account for the risks of chemical mixtures, which can exceed safe levels even below individual substance limits. Scientists propose integrating a Mixture Allocation Factor into the REACH Regulation to regulate mixtures and improve protection of human health and the environment.
Heat- and cold-related mortality burden in the US increased significantly between 2000 and 2020, with temperature extremes contributing to excess deaths. The study found that geographic location, cause of death, and demographic factors played a crucial role in differential vulnerability to temperature-related health risks.
A new study found that public greenspaces are lacking in many American communities, with some groups facing significant barriers to access. The research highlights the need for more inclusive park planning and distribution to ensure equal benefits for all residents.
Researchers from genomics and exposomics converged on a historic meeting to develop strategies for identifying disease causes. The collaboration aims to merge genetic and environmental factors using biochemical, molecular, and geospatial methods, ultimately driving prevention and treatment advancements.
A new study published by Yonsei University reveals that air pollution is a significant contributor to workplace accidents, increasing the risk of accidents and fatalities by 2.6 times when PM2.5 concentrations double. The study estimates economic losses of up to $10 billion annually.
A food tax shift could reduce premature deaths and disease by 700 annually and 700,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in Sweden. The study shows that selective taxes on unhealthy foods can lead to healthier diets without increasing the average price of groceries.
A new study led by Silent Spring Institute examines how job-related chemical exposures contribute to breast cancer risk among foreign-born workers. Immigrant women are overrepresented in high-risk jobs with fewer health and safety protections, facing unique barriers to avoiding toxic exposures at work.
The Mount Sinai School of Medicine has received a $4.5 million NIH award to establish a pioneering program in women's environmental health research. The program, called LEAP, will train the next generation of leaders in this emerging field.
Higher levels of tree canopy cover may help prevent injurious pedestrian falls by providing shade and cooling effects. Researchers found that during summer months, locations with pedestrians who fell were less likely to be shaded than matched control locations.
A recent study found no association between mould damage in schools and the development of asthma among students. Despite extensive mould damage in some schools, the health of over 30,000 students was tracked over a 16-year period, showing no increase in asthma cases.
Leading fashion brands and textile manufacturers have joined forces to address the microfiber pollution crisis through a comprehensive study. The project, led by Fashion for Good and Northumbria University, tested 24 fabric types and revealed complex challenges within the textile supply chain, including potential contamination levels.
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.
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.
Research from Colorado State University reveals how wildfire smoke combines with existing particulate pollution to create secondary, often more toxic, pollution and contribute to ozone formation. The study found that 90% of aerosol pollution over NYC is sensitive to at least one aspect of global changes, such as high temperatures.
A new study found that children who prefer pickled, smoked, and fried foods are more likely to have asthma. In contrast, seafood preference appears to reduce asthma risk among normal-weight children. The findings highlight the importance of early-life dietary habits in shaping respiratory health.
A new study by Environmental Working Group found that consuming certain fruits and vegetables can increase pesticide levels in people's bodies. The study suggests that everyday food choices can drive significant pesticide exposure and highlights the need for safer food systems.
Climate change is allowing disease-carrying insects to spread into new areas, resulting in a growing number of West Nile virus infection cases in Europe. The virus can attack the nervous system and brain, causing symptoms like fever, headache, and malaise, with severe consequences for vulnerable individuals.
A review of hundreds of studies found a link between childhood plastic exposure and long-term health concerns like heart disease, obesity, and asthma. Parents can take simple steps to limit their children's plastic exposure, such as replacing plastic containers with glass or stainless steel.
A new study estimates that US wildfires could cause up to 70,000 deaths annually by 2050 due to increased smoke pollution. The researchers also found that no community is safe from smoke exposure and estimated economic damages could reach $608 billion annually.
A study of Black and Latina women in South Los Angeles found that choosing safer personal care products can significantly lower exposures to risky chemicals. Women who avoided fragrance, parabens, and oxybenzone had lower levels of these chemicals in their urine compared to those who did not avoid them.
Researchers developed a strain-controlled testing method for evaluating liquefaction resistance in chemically treated soils, reducing carbon-dioxide emissions by up to 60%. The new method yielded consistent results, improving urban resilience and reducing economic losses in earthquake-prone regions.
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.
A new study reveals that rivers, not wastewater treatment plants, are the primary source of microplastic pollution in the Gulf of Mexico. Computer modeling tracks tiny plastic particles across three years, highlighting critical habitats and pollutants that threaten marine life and human health.
A new study reveals the Levant Basin as one of the world's most concentrated graveyards for plastic packaging, with research findings showing extremely high seafloor concentrations of plastic bags and packaging. The basin acts as a final sink due to high pressure and sedimentation.
A new University of Georgia study found that childhood exercise habits can significantly impact adult physical health, with healthier habits in adolescence setting the stage for a lifetime of fitness. The study suggests that maintaining these habits is crucial to preventing cardiovascular disease and obesity.
Advanced filtration systems can cut levels of cancer-causing DBPs, nitrates, and heavy metals, in addition to removing toxic PFAS from drinking water. The Environmental Working Group study found significant reductions in these contaminants across 19 US utilities.
Researchers found a strong correlation between industrial pollution exposure during pregnancy and the risk of intellectual disabilities in grandchildren. A study using Utah Population Database data revealed that grandmothers' prenatal exposures can increase the risk of intellectual disabilities in their grandchildren's children.
A new study finds structural abnormalities in the brain and poorer motor function among NYC children exposed prenatally to chlorpyrifos. The findings are associated with progressively greater alterations in brain structure, function, and metabolism.
A new study found that adolescents with higher blood levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) prior to bariatric surgery regained more weight and had greater increases in waist circumference up to five years after surgery. Researchers believe PFAS exposure disrupts endocrine and metabolic processes, leading to weight regain.
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 study by University of Virginia researchers reveals high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression among residents exposed to the 2023 chemical spill. The survey of 1,000 adults found elevated psychological toll with half reporting worsening physical health symptoms.
Researchers have identified 21 new PFAS chemicals in Sydney's tap water, exceeding previous estimates. The findings highlight the need for broader monitoring and underscore the persistence of 'forever chemicals' in human systems.
A new study found a link between parents' workplace chemical exposure and their child's autism severity, with certain chemicals associated with cognitive deficits and developmental delays. The research emphasizes the need for workplace safety measures to protect not only workers but also their future children.
A new study by University of Cincinnati researcher Ashley Merianos reveals a troubling connection between adverse childhood experiences and tobacco smoke exposure in US school-aged children. Adverse childhood experiences, such as parental divorce or financial hardship, increase the likelihood of children living with tobacco users and b...
Heat-related deaths are projected to rise four-fold by 2050 if global temperatures reach 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Experts recommend a physiology-based approach that focuses on hot people, using tools like HeatWatch, to enhance heat adaptation and minimize carbon intensity.
Researchers Dr. Sharday Mosurinjohn and Dr. Richard Ascough critique the 'psychedelic mysteries hypothesis' in a new article, arguing that it relies on circumstantial evidence rather than solid historical scholarship. They advocate for responsible curiosity and a focus on living traditions to unlock psychedelic wisdom.
A large study examines 17 years of Medicare hospitalization claims and major flooding events, finding increased rates of specific health issues among older adults. The research highlights the need for targeted outreach, robust evacuation planning, and improved access to medical services to protect public health during climate change.
A new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that increasing solar power generation in the US by 15% could lead to significant cuts in CO2 emissions. The researchers pinpointed regions where clean energy investments return the greatest climate dividends and demonstrated the value of coordinated clean energy efforts.
Researchers found that hot days increase emergency department visits and hospitalizations, while cold days are associated with fewer deaths, particularly among older adults. The study suggests that health policy needs to account for temperature-related impacts across different age groups.
A study found that prolonged sitting decreases cutaneous vasodilatory function under both constant and alternating temperature conditions. Alternating exposure to cooling and heating did not significantly suppress these changes.
The study uses systems modeling to analyze potential trade-offs of proposed NIH cuts, considering implications for long-term biomedical research and public health. The results suggest that funding policies must consider systemic interactions beyond immediate budgetary impacts.
ShadeLA aims to reduce heat risk by expanding tree canopy and shade infrastructure in key public spaces, targeting major sporting events and heat waves. The initiative builds on USC's Urban Trees Initiative and engages community-based organizations to create locally driven solutions for a more comfortable L.A.
A new study found that exposure to PFAS, a class of synthetic chemicals, may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Higher levels of PFAS were associated with a significantly greater risk of developing T2D in the future.
Researchers have discovered a non-autoimmune form of type 1 diabetes prevalent in young people in Sub-Saharan Africa, differing from the typical autoimmune pattern seen in other regions. The study's findings also suggest an ancestral or genetic link between this subtype and African ancestry in the US.
ADLM 2025 will tackle urgent topics like clinical AI integration and fake medical news, as well as leveraging genomics for personalized healthcare. The meeting also explores the health threat of plastics and microbiome medicine to combat diseases.
A new study by Texas A&M University is tracking the health effects of living in an agrihood community, where residents have access to a working farm and green spaces. The study aims to measure changes in physical activity, nutrition, and social connectedness among participants.
Researchers emphasize the need to distinguish between harmful PFAS and essential fluoropolymers used in medical devices, which have not been linked to health issues. Experts advocate for a balanced approach to protect both human health and environmental concerns.
Research suggests that nine commonly used pesticides in viticulture have significantly underestimated environmental impact, with half-lives exceeding two days and potential for long-range transport.
A study published in Science Advances found that higher childhood lead levels are significantly associated with a faster rate of forgetting, even at low median blood lead levels. Additionally, older children and those with higher maternal IQs showed better memory retention.
A new study published in Nature provides a comprehensive overview of all chemicals that can be present in plastics, their properties, uses, and hazards. The study identified 4,200 plastic chemicals as of concern due to health and environmental hazards.
Health experts urge the UN to strengthen the treaty's focus on ending plastic production and reducing toxic chemicals. The World Health Organization estimates that one-quarter of global deaths are linked to environmental harm, including chemicals, pollution, and waste.
Scientists have discovered that certain species of gut bacteria can absorb PFAS, potentially protecting against its harmful effects. The researchers plan to develop probiotic dietary supplements to boost the levels of these helpful microbes in our gut.
A national study found children aged 2-4 years in the US are exposed to a wide range of hazardous chemicals, including phthalates and pesticides, which can interfere with hormone development and immune function. The research emphasizes the need for expanded biomonitoring and stronger regulations to protect children from harmful exposures.
Residential segregation contributes to lung cancer development in African Americans, highlighting the need for policymakers to address disparities. Structural racism in neighborhoods affects health outcomes, emphasizing the importance of reducing racial gaps in healthcare.