Articles tagged with Particulate Matter
A Stanford study has mapped the human exposome, a dynamic cloud of microbes, chemicals, and particulates that surround us. The research provides unprecedented detail on the variety of biological and chemical exposures at an individual level, offering new insights into human health and environmental influences.
A new study conducted in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia found that high-efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) air purifiers can decrease fine particulate matter by 29% and lead to babies weighing up to 85 grams more at term. The results provide further evidence of the negative impact of air pollution exposure during pregnancy on fetal growth.
A new study simulates the effects of wildfire smoke on human health, predicting that deaths from chronic inhalation of wildfire smoke could increase to over 40,000 per year by the end of the 21st century. The number of fire-related particulate matter deaths is expected to more than double in the worst-case-scenario prediction model.
The West Coast of the United States is experiencing a massive wildfire season with over 1.9 million acres ablaze. The situation is exacerbated by warmer temperatures and dry conditions, leading to increased lightning strikes and potential for further blazes.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that mixing yield stress materials creates distinct regions of mix and non-mix, providing a fundamental understanding of designing mixing protocols. The study's findings have implications for industries such as pharmaceuticals and concrete manufacturing.
Researchers at MIT have developed soft hardware that can be worn, integrating high-speed optoelectronic semiconductor devices into fibers woven into washable fabrics. This breakthrough could lead to a new 'Moore's Law' in fibers, enabling rapid growth in capabilities.
A team of engineers at the University of Notre Dame is using Tiki torches to simulate real-world driving conditions for testing diesel particulate filters. They aim to develop a low-cost catalyst that can reduce soot oxidation temperatures, improving efficiency and reducing emissions.
A new study by the University of Washington shows that winter air pollution levels in the eastern US have remained high due to complex chemical processes, rather than reduced emissions. The study highlights the need for further emissions reductions to improve wintertime air quality.
Researchers found that particulate matter increases foliar transpiration in plants, making them more susceptible to drought. The tiny pores on leaves, known as stomata, are compromised by salt solutions formed from hygroscopic particles.
Researchers found a significant association between wildfire activity and elevated fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in the northwestern United States. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that increased wildfires may offset reductions in anthropogenic PM2.5 levels.
Scientists employed passive acoustic vibrations to characterize the vibrational modes of granular materials, revealing a new method to predict failure. The technique measures active vibrational modes' frequencies, providing an acoustic snapshot of the material's overall health.
Researchers developed a precise method to analyze the chemical composition of suspended particulate matter, including isomers. This technique combines chromatography and mass spectrometry, providing accurate results and full reproducibility.
Researchers revisited a 2015 study finding e-cigarette vapor contains new forms of formaldehyde, which are bound to particulates and deposited deeper in the lungs, posing higher risks than previously known. The study found both gaseous and new formaldehyde compounds exceeding OSHA workplace limits even at lower heat settings.
A Cedars-Sinai study found that prolonged air pollution exposure in the Los Angeles Basin triggers inflammation and cancer-related gene expression in rat brains, particularly due to nickel content. The research highlights the need for reducing ambient air pollution levels.
A new study reveals increased risks for Alzheimer's disease and suicidal tendencies among children and young adults living in polluted cities. Researchers detected abnormal proteins indicative of the disease as early as infancy, highlighting the need for preventative measures.
A new study found that brief exposure to fine particulate matter PM2.5 is associated with the development of acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) in young children, leading to increased doctor visits and hospitalizations. The research suggests that air pollution may impair the body's ability to fight off infections or cause damage ...
Research found that acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) is associated with elevated levels of fine particulate matter PM2.5 in young children, even those as young as two months old. The study, involving over 100,000 patients, suggests that air pollution may impair the immune response and increase susceptibility to infections.
Researchers create a new 'green' material made from solid wastes and natural polymers to adsorb pollutants in wastewater and air. The hybrid material outperforms activated carbon with 94% efficiency and lower embodied energy.
Research found Blacks have higher exposures to fine particulate matter air pollutants, associated with elevated blood glucose and cardiovascular events. The study suggests that environmental pollution may partially explain racial disparities in heart disease risk and death.
The study found that four-cycle injection engines are more environmentally safe than two-cycle and carburetor engines. The researchers analyzed particulate matter in motorcycle engine exhaust and found PAHs to be a significant concern for human health and the environment.
A new study finds that consumer and industrial products are a dominant urban air pollution source, contributing as much as the transportation sector. Particle-forming emissions from chemical products are twice as high as those from vehicles, causing lung damage.
A University of Utah study finds Arctic clouds highly sensitive to air pollution, with particulate matter spurring cloud formation and amplifying the warming effect. The research suggests controlling airborne pollutants could ease Arctic cloud cover and slow down warming.
A large study found that short-term exposure to air pollution at levels below current standards was associated with a higher risk of death in Medicare patients. Daily increases in fine particulate matter and ozone were linked to increased mortality rates, even when levels were below the national air quality standards.
New research from MIT suggests the EPA's legislation may have saved over 100,000 lives annually from 2000 to 2010 through a dramatic decline in atmospheric organic aerosol. The study found that human behaviors, such as vehicle emissions and residential burning, likely drove this change.
Declining organic aerosol in the US reduces premature deaths and saves lives, with a 40% decrease in anthropogenic sources since 1990.
The Low Emission Zone in Leipzig has significantly reduced the concentration of black carbon and ultrafine particles, which are believed to be most dangerous due to their carcinogenic trace compounds. The reduction of these particles resulted in a significant improvement of air quality and a reduced health risk for the population.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that exposure to coarse particulate matter increases the risk of asthma and hospitalizations in children. For each microgram/cubic meter increase in coarse particulate matter, asthma diagnosis increased by 1.3 percent, emergency room visits for asthma by 3.3 percent, and hospitalizations by...
New research found that coarse particulate matter increases the risk of asthma diagnosis, ER visits for asthma, and hospitalizations in children. The study analyzed records of over 7 million children in Medicaid and found a strong association between PM10-2.5 exposure and asthma-related outcomes.
Exposure to air pollution just prior to conception or during the first month of pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects, such as cleft lip or palate. The study found that fine particulate matter is a significant health hazard and public health efforts should minimize population-level exposure.
Research published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine found that air pollution is associated with poorer quality sperm. The study, which analyzed data from nearly 6,500 men in Taiwan, discovered a strong link between exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and abnormal sperm shape.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed an optical diagnostic that can quantify the formation of soot in combusting fuel sprays, enabling engine developers to design advanced combustion strategies for cleaner engines. The device uses a custom engineered diffuser to emit light rays with the same brightness over a spec...
A University of Washington study found a direct connection between toxic air and mental health, with fine particulate matter linked to increased psychological distress. The study, which controlled for other factors, showed that even moderate levels of pollution can be detrimental to health, particularly among specific populations.
Researchers found that exposure to forest fire pollutants caused severe DNA damage and stopped lung cells from dividing. Retene, a chemical compound in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), was the main culprit, leading to inflammation, oxidative stress, and genetic damage.
A study found a linear relationship between air pollution levels and the risk of experiencing kidney function decline and developing kidney disease or failure. The results suggest that particulate matter above the EPA's recommended limit is associated with new cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
A study by the University of Chicago finds that air pollution in Northern China reduces life expectancy by 3.1 years, with every 10 micrograms per cubic meter increase reducing it by 0.6 years.
Scientists at Case Western Reserve University have discovered that tiny holes and cracks in materials can control electric charge through friction. The findings could lead to better adhesion for agricultural pesticides, paints, and other applications, while also preventing damage from static electricity.
A study in São Paulo City found that switching from bio to fossil fuels in flex-fuel cars results in a 30% increase in ultrafine particulate matter. The rise in ethanol prices led to a decrease in its consumption, causing an increase in nanoparticles pollution.
Researchers created a new model that better describes the behavior of ceramic materials under impact stress, improving prediction of resistance to deep penetration. The improved model reduces the need for expensive experiments, guiding material design and multi-materials systems approaches.
A study published by the American Heart Association found that exposure to high levels of fine particulate matter increased stress hormone levels and negative metabolic changes in healthy young adults. Air purifiers reduced these effects, with significant benefits seen in blood pressure, insulin resistance, and biomarkers of inflammation.
Researchers found that advanced wood-burning stoves with forced-draft technology produce less particulate matter (PM) than traditional and natural-draft stoves. This is due to the formation of more reflective PM in traditional stoves, which can offset atmospheric warming.
A new study found that installing 'cool roofs' in Southern California could lead to small increases in ozone and fine particulate pollution levels. The predicted increase can be minimized by requiring more comprehensive performance standards for cool-roofing materials.
A team of researchers has discovered that copper and other metals can never form perfectly flat nanoscale films due to grain rotation. This discovery has significant implications for designing materials with improved electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties.
Researchers have solved the equation describing solid friction on granular materials for an arbitrary number of dimensions. Their results are in excellent agreement with numerical solutions in 2 and 3 dimensions, making the model applicable to various industries such as construction and pharmaceuticals.
A new Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study found that long-term exposure to certain air pollutants increases the risk of premature death among US seniors. The research suggests lowering levels of airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone could save up to 12,000 lives annually.
Researchers have confirmed a decades-old mathematical theory explaining the physics of how substances like sand and gravel pack together. The finding provides a simple and elegant way to describe granular material behavior, with potential applications in industries such as energy and pharmaceuticals.
Researchers found that electrical conductivity increases as pressure on micro-contact interface between grains increases, defying traditional expectations.
Exposure to particulate air pollution after liver cancer diagnosis significantly increases risk of premature death. Higher exposure levels further elevate the risk of dying from liver cancer or any cause.
Researchers have discovered the mechanism behind granular capillarity, where sand rises in a tube under vertical vibrations. The study found that convective motion of sand grains causes an upward pressure on the base of the column, leading to its ascent.
A study by Dr. Mihkel Pindus et al found exposure to traffic-related particulate matter (PM) was associated with cardiac diseases in Tartu, Estonia, whereas PM from residential heating had no link. The results confirm the health effects of low-level PM and highlight differences in associations depending on the PM source.
Scientists successfully produce stable Pickering emulsions by inducing depletion force between solid particles and liquid droplets. This technology has significant implications for industries such as separation film, systems engineering, drug delivery, and sensors.
Experts predict that adopting and enforcing tighter air quality standards in China could save 3 million premature deaths each year, primarily due to a decrease in cardiorespiratory diseases. The study found that bringing PM10 levels to the WHO standard of 20 μg/m3 would have significant public health benefits.
Excess emissions from Volkswagen's diesel cars sold between 2008 and 2015 will cause approximately 1,200 premature deaths across Europe. The countries hardest hit include Germany, Poland, France, and the Czech Republic.
Researchers found that brake dust particles can form a toxic aerosol when mixed with acidic sulfate in the air. The interaction can cause oxidative stress and increase the risk of adverse health effects. While electric cars may reduce tailpipe emissions, brake dust will remain a persistent source of pollution.
A McGill University and Health Canada study found that air pollution from wood burning increases the risk of heart attacks in seniors by 19% during cold seasons. The researchers suggest that tackling air pollution caused by fireplaces and woodstoves may improve public health.
A study by UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business found that Mexico City's Saturday driving restrictions have negligible impact on air quality. The program, which restricts vehicles with license plates ending in '5' or '6', did not lead to a decrease in pollution levels for any of the eight major pollutants monitored. Instead, experts r...
A new study investigates how cookstove emissions contribute to both indoor air quality issues and global climate change. The research reveals that reducing cookstove use in certain countries, such as Azerbaijan and Ukraine, could have the largest positive impact on climate change, despite not being major users of residential cookstoves.
Sun, a civil engineering and engineering mechanics professor at Columbia University, has won the award for his project on modeling high-rate responses of wetted granular materials. He aims to improve predictions of large-scale field problems using insights from small-scale observations and simulations.
Researchers developed a new coating method using physical vapor deposition to coat large volumes of granular material evenly. The method enables precise control of film thickness and opens up possibilities for surface treatment and modification, with applications in hydrogen storage systems.
Researchers found that underground car parks can act as 'lungs of the city', reducing particulate matter concentrations outside the car parks by up to 50%. The study suggests that implementing air purification systems in parking garages can improve air quality in urban areas.
Air quality monitoring data from 2005-2014 reveals significant variability in London's road pollutants. Despite improvements, some areas continue to exceed EU limits for nitrogen dioxide levels; however, other pollutants like fine particulate matter and black carbon have seen notable decreases.