Articles tagged with Environmental Health
A new study finds that large warehouses across the US emit 20% more nitrogen dioxide pollution, disproportionately affecting communities of color who live near them. This exposure increases the risk of asthma and other life-threatening health conditions.
The ActiveHip+ mobile app has been shown to improve the recovery of elderly people with hip fractures by providing a tailored health education programme and rehabilitation programme. This approach allows patients to recover at home while receiving constant support from healthcare professionals.
A recent study found that 'gene misbehaviour' is a common phenomenon in the healthy human population, with over half of inactive genes showing misexpression. The researchers used advanced techniques to analyze blood samples from 4,568 healthy individuals and identified mechanisms behind these gene activity errors.
A comprehensive study reveals that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are increasingly added to US pesticide products, contaminating waterways and posing potential threats to human health. The study found that pesticides containing PFAS are widely used in staple foods, flea treatments for pets, and insect-killing sprays.
The EPIC Air Quality Fund aims to expand access to real-time air quality data to 1 billion people worldwide by 2030, enabling communities to understand pollution levels and drive policy change. The fund, supported by Open Philanthropy, will provide data-driven solutions to address air pollution in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
A new study found that urban moss in older Portland neighborhoods has up to 600 times higher lead levels than rural areas, with concentrations linked to old telecommunications cables. The findings raise concerns about lead exposure and recommend avoiding soil disturbance in affected areas.
A recent study found that e-bicycle injuries doubled every year from 2017 to 2022, while e-scooter injuries rose by 45%. The researchers also noted that e-scooter riders were more likely to suffer internal injuries and conventional scooter riders were more likely to experience upper extremity injuries.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that children's exposome scores, measuring environmental and lifestyle factors, are associated with altered serum levels of 31 metabolites. These metabolites were linked to cardiometabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes in later life.
Researchers warn of unprecedented arsenic release from wildfires, potentially releasing up to half of the arsenic emitted globally each year. Contaminated mining sites exacerbate wildfire risks, with wetlands being the most concerning due to their tendency to store contaminants.
Researchers found a 56% reduction in average daily NO2 concentrations in homes with electric induction stoves compared to gas stoves. Participants reported improved health and quality of life, citing reduced anxiety about fires due to gas leaks.
Pusan National University researchers introduced FLIT-SHAP, an explainable machine learning approach that breaks down pollutant effects in mixtures. The tool revealed significant synergistic and antagonistic interactions, challenging current approaches to regulating pollutants.
The HumanIC project focuses on designing hospitals with human-centered indoor climates to minimize the spread of airborne pathogens and improve thermal comfort. This can lead to a 9-20% reduction in costs associated with airborne diseases.
A meta-analysis published in Ecopsychology found that even brief nature exposure can have a positive effect on symptomology, including affect, anxiety, and depression. The study suggests using nature exposure as an intervention to improve health and wellbeing for adults with mental illness.
A meta-analysis of 35,000 children from eight European countries has found a robust link between exposure to green spaces and better lung function. Children living in greener neighborhoods had higher forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), indicating improved airway function.
A Texas A&M University study found that stand-biased workstations led to more standing time, reduced sitting time, and fewer discomforts compared to traditional desks. However, the benefits were not statistically significant, and energy expenditure was higher in stand-biased groups.
A new study found that increased exposure to residential greenery during midlife can help stave off cognitive decline. Higher average exposure to greenness was linked to higher levels of cognitive function and slower cognitive decline, particularly among people living in low-socioeconomic status and highly populated neighborhoods.
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.
Researchers found arsenic treatment media in 71% of tested homes and water softener resin in 84% of homes with water softeners, posing potential health risks to users. The study highlights the need for further research and recommends installing a post-treatment sediment filter to capture escaping media.
A new ECHO study reveals that neighborhood characteristics played a lesser role in child well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic periods. The pandemic altered how people interacted with their neighborhoods, making factors like green spaces and recreation less important.
Households are willing to pay $156.84 annually for targeted home systems to remove PFAS, which is less than the cost of municipal-level treatment. Under-the-sink reverse osmosis filters are estimated to have a yearly total cost of around $100, including maintenance.
Researchers from Pusan National University conducted a participatory planning process with children to improve walking safety in a school zone. Children successfully identified and ranked solutions, which were later presented to the local government and implemented as a policy.
Yanomami children face the most severe nutritional deficit in Indigenous communities in the Americas, with 52.2% undernourished and 570 starved to death in four years. Malnutrition during infancy can have lifelong effects on health, increasing disease risk and mortality rates.
A new study suggests that people trying to conceive living close to oil and gas development sites experience heightened risk of developing adverse mental health outcomes. High perceived stress was elevated among those living just 1.25 miles away from the activity.
The UTEP research team found that nanoplastics and PFAS can alter proteins in human breast milk, infant formulas, and affect oxygen storage. This could lead to developmental defects, compromised immunity, and reduced mineral absorption.
A special issue of WORK Journal explores the importance of designing healthy workplaces that address musculoskeletal conditions, burnout, and chronic pain. The issue highlights the need for an interdisciplinary approach integrating medical, psychological, and occupational therapies to prevent work-related illness and injury.
A large cohort study in Canada found an association between prenatal ambient PM2.5 exposure and increased cerebral palsy risk in offspring. Further research is needed to understand this association and potential biological pathways.
A study found that air pollution in India is extremely high, with daily mortality rates increasing rapidly at lower pollution levels and then leveling off. The study estimated that 7.2% of all deaths in ten major cities were linked to PM2.5 levels exceeding the WHO limit value.
A new theory deciphered the physical mechanisms of fracture in soft materials, revealing an elastic instability that breaks symmetry. This discovery aims to create more resistant and durable materials with a positive environmental impact.
Researchers found a significant association between exposure to common environmental toxicants and depressive symptoms, highlighting the need for targeted mechanistic research. The study provides insight into reducing environmental exposures to mitigate depression risk.
The Texas A&M Center for Environmental Health will promote research in four areas of environmental health, including climate change and health, environment and metabolism, and environmental justice and policy. The center aims to facilitate collaboration between researchers and make funding more accessible for junior faculty.
New research reveals surprising differences in songbirds' diets and gut microbiomes in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. Contrary to expectations, birds growing up in radiologically contaminated habitats have a higher diversity of insects in their diet.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers finds that tampons from various brands contain toxic metals, including lead and arsenic. The findings highlight the potential public health risks associated with tampon use.
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.
A new study reveals a direct connection between childhood air pollution exposure and adult bronchitis symptoms, suggesting that subtle effects on the respiratory system can persist into adulthood. The research, based on the USC Children's Health Study, found that even when adjusting for asthma or bronchitis symptoms in childhood, expos...
A new study creates a framework to reduce confusion around fish consumption during pregnancy and provide clearer guidance on risks and benefits. The research found that consuming low-mercury fish was beneficial, while high-mercury fish was detrimental to neurodevelopment.
Researchers found that Black women living near areas of unrest experienced higher levels of emotional eating and stress, while those in safer neighborhoods engaged in cognitive restraint. The study suggests that vicarious racial discrimination can lead to race-based traumatic stress and poor mental and physical health outcomes.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has awarded a four-year, $5.2 million grant to Wayne State University's Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors (CURES). The CURES team will investigate the basis for urban environmental health disparities and the human health impact of environmental exposure...
Black participants with greater access to green spaces had up to 35% lower odds of calcification, while those near a river had 32% lower odds. These findings highlight the potential benefits of environmental policies promoting public health and addressing racial and neighborhood-related health disparities.
A study of 1,106 newborns from five countries found that prenatal exposure to ethylene oxide is associated with lower birth weight and smaller head circumference. The results suggest that reducing exposure to ethylene oxide could protect fetal health and improve birth outcomes.
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 new mobile app, Every Walk You Take, aims to promote physical activity and health among citizens over 55 through personalized walking routes. The app provides real-time data on green areas, obstacles, pollution, and weather, allowing users to identify barriers and features of each route.
A new study led by UCL researchers found that cardiovascular health is a significant risk factor for future dementia rates. The study analyzed data from 27 papers and found that rates of obesity and diabetes have increased over time, contributing to higher dementia risk.
A new study finds that over 100,000 oil and gas wells in the western US are at risk of wildfires, posing a compound hazard to nearby populations. The research highlights the need for proactive action to prevent future harms.
Research from Duke University found that citizen science tools used in urban areas understate the problem of heat islands. The study suggests a statistical method to improve estimates of urban heat, highlighting the need for additional weather stations to better understand the issue.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers identifies 92 compounds in biosolids that could pose potential risks to human health and the environment. The team screened 16 samples of biosolids from US and Canadian cities and found a range of contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals.
A new study published in Environment International reveals that 15 out of 17 commonly used synthetic 'forever chemicals' can be absorbed through human skin. The researchers used 3D human skin equivalent models to investigate dermal bioavailability and found significant absorption rates for most substances.
A new study from George Mason University found that trace amounts of non-essential elements, such as lead and mercury, in ovarian follicular fluid may impact IVF success rates. Higher concentrations of cobalt and copper were associated with a stronger ovarian response, while higher levels of lead were linked to reduced fertility.
A recent study analyzed the transfer of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from mothers to newborns, revealing high detection rates and median concentrations in maternal serum, cord serum, and breast milk. The research highlights the need for tighter regulations on PFAS exposure during pregnancy and lactation.
A new study reveals that micro- and nanoplastics may boost the risk of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The tiny particles are absorbed into the human body through food, air, and other sources, potentially leading to increased inflammation and severity of these conditions.
A recent study reveals that plastic water bottles can emit toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when exposed to sunlight, posing serious health risks. The research emphasizes the need for safer storage practices and stricter industry regulations to reduce exposure to these potentially harmful compounds.
A new study from POSTECH forecasts over 110,000 premature deaths in Korea by 2050 due to PM2.5 exposure and rapid population aging. To mitigate this burden, PM2.5 concentrations must be reduced to approximately 6 µg/m³.
A new study reveals patterns in disease-associated gut microbiomes that could inform new cost-effective treatments based on diet, lifestyle, and environmental microbiome exposures. The research also found a new approach to describing and measuring the health of gut and soil microbiomes.
A new study published in JACC: CardioOncology found that air pollution significantly increases cardiovascular disease and mortality in cancer patients, contributing to health disparities. Short-term exposure to high pollution levels rapidly impacts cancer patients' cardiovascular health.
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 new study found that prenatal exposure to Di (2-ethyhexyl) phthalate in combination with a high-fat diet has a more damaging effect on male mice than each factor alone.
Researchers found that adding nitrogen to concrete could significantly reduce global levels of potentially harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) created by the construction industry. This process could contribute to a reduction in NOx emissions by 3.4-6.9 megatonnes, representing 6-13% of industry-related emissions in 2021.
Researchers measured concerning levels of ethylene oxide in Louisiana's 'Cancer Alley' using mobile optical instruments. The study revealed that most locations had ethylene oxide levels above the EPA's acceptable upper limit, with some areas having potentially serious health risks for facility workers.
A new study by Dr. Allan Hassaniyan argues Iran's water policy is discriminatory, leading to socioecological deterioration in peripheral regions and causing devastating effects on agriculture, health, and the environment.
Researchers at WVU are exploring the potential of solar panels to generate energy on grazing lands, diversifying farmers' income streams and promoting more sustainable practices. The study aims to understand how dual-use solar systems impact soil health and animal performance.
A study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that children exposed to weed pollen in urban environments are at higher risk of developing respiratory health problems, including asthma. However, tree canopy can mitigate this effect to some degree.