Articles tagged with Particulate Matter
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.
University of Southern California researchers discovered the 'elastic-inertial régime', a transition zone between two regimes where friction increases with shear rate. This finding has significant implications for industries handling granular materials, which are often used in mining and pharmaceuticals.
Researchers at MIT have developed a simple equation to predict the force required to push objects through sand, using resistive force theory. The equation can be used to optimize vehicles driving over gravel and soil, as well as animals burrowing through earth.
Droplets on a surface can catapult away contaminants without superhydrophobic coatings, inspired by pogo jumping. Researchers at Duke University and the University of British Columbia investigate this mechanism to develop more durable self-cleaning systems.
A new study found that household use of coal and dirty fuels in households is a major contributor to Beijing's notorious air pollution. Eliminating these emissions could reduce particulate levels by up to 22%. Regional efforts are crucial to address this issue, as individual cities may not have control over surrounding regions.
A decade-long study of thousands of Americans found that exposure to fine particulate matter and traffic-related pollutants accelerates the progression of coronary artery calcium scores. This acceleration is associated with a 20% faster rate of calcium deposits in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease.
Scientists detect and quantify metastability induced by disorder in granular materials for the first time. The team uses a parameter from liquid crystal physics to measure force chain orientation, confirming the relationship between disorder and metastable energy states.
A new study found that nickel and vanadium, emitted by burning fuel oil, may be damaging to children's developing lungs. The research, presented at the ATS 2016 International Conference, analyzed data from 1,911 elementary school-aged children in Southern California communities.
Research reveals that nitrogen-rich fertilizers and animal waste combine with combustion emissions to form solid particles causing disease and death. The good news is that declining combustion emissions may reduce fine-particle pollution even if fertilizer use doubles.
A large study found a significant association between long-term exposure to fine particulate matter and an increased risk of mortality from various cancers, including breast and lung cancer. The study suggests that reducing air pollution could have a substantial impact on cancer deaths in urban populations.
Researchers found that long-term exposure to environmental pollutants, specifically fine particulate matter (PM2.5), was linked to a higher risk of death from multiple types of cancer in an elderly Hong Kong population. The study showed a significant association between PM2.5 and increased mortality from breast, lung, and other cancers.
Researchers will model uncertain future meteorology and smoke, dust to gain a comprehensive view of possible air quality implications. The study aims to improve predictions of particulate matter concentrations in the atmosphere.
Researchers at Washington State University will use new modeling techniques to predict air pollution changes in the western US due to climate change. The study will focus on small particulate matter, a major contributor to health issues like asthma and lung cancer.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have discovered a second route to jamming, where liquid-like materials solidify without added particles or volume changes, triggered by stirring. This finding provides a new understanding of jamming-related phenomena in various systems.
Researchers at St John's College, University of Cambridge, developed a computer program that can answer the mind-bending puzzle of arranging 128 soft spheres. The solution, 10^250, vastly exceeds the total number of particles in the universe and has implications for understanding configurational entropy and its applications in physics ...
A new study published in Environmental Health found a 19% increased risk of preterm birth among women exposed to high levels of small particle air pollution. The study also identified higher risks among mothers over 40, black mothers, and those with lower education levels.
The study reveals that traffic is the largest source of urban air pollution, responsible for 25% of particulate matter. Domestic fuel burning and industrial activities also contribute significantly to air pollution, with regional variations observed.
A nationwide study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that women with diabetes who are exposed to air pollution for long periods may have a much higher risk for heart disease. The study showed that cardiovascular disease and stroke risks increased by up to 66% among these individuals.
Researchers found a significant association between coarse particles in the air and increased cardiovascular hospitalizations in people 65 and older. The study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, analyzed data from 110 large urban counties in the US and linked it to Medicare data on hospitalizations from 1999 to 2010.
Fireworks can cause a 25% reduction in visibility due to atmospheric particulate matter, raising concerns for motorist and pedestrian safety. Improved forecasting of visibility degradation is expected thanks to the research.
A study published in Weather found that fireworks on Guy Fawkes' night can reduce visibility by an average of 25% due to the release of hygroscopic particulate matter. This effect is exacerbated when relative humidity is high, posing significant safety risks for motorist and pedestrian safety.
A study found that reducing Amazon deforestation leads to improved air quality and a decrease in premature deaths from exposure to particulate matter. The research estimated that the 40% reduction in Brazilian deforestation between 2001-12 prevented approximately 1,700 adult deaths annually in South America.
A study by the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health found that CicLAvia significantly reduces air quality in Los Angeles neighborhoods. The event decreases ultrafine particle presence and particulate matter readings by up to 49% along closed streets, and even lower rates on nearby streets still open to traffic.
A large US study confirms that tiny chemical particles in the air are linked to an increased risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular disease. Fine particles can be absorbed deep into the lungs and bloodstream, contributing to potentially fatal heart and lung diseases.
Research from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found a slight increase in mortality risk associated with fine particulate matter in the air. The study analyzed PM2.5 components and found that ammonium, nitrate, sulfate, and vanadium were most strongly linked to increased mortality risk, especially during winter ...
A $475,000 grant will support a study examining the huge amount of particulate organic nitrogen transported downstream during intense storms and its impact on freshwater streams and rivers. The researchers aim to understand how this contributes to the overall nitrogen load and what happens to the particulate materials.
Research suggests that exposure to particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide air pollutants is associated with an increased risk of severe heart attacks. The study found that men aged 75 and above were more susceptible to fine particles, while younger individuals were more affected by NO2.
The new method uses a hybrid approach employing three different rendering techniques depending on the scale at which the object is viewed. It allows for accurate rendering while reducing computation time, speeding up processing by tens or hundreds of times.
A nationwide study finds that fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, surge on July 4 due to fireworks, with concentrations 42% higher than usual on average. The study's results will help improve air quality predictions and raise awareness about the health risks of particle pollution.
A team of researchers found that improving air quality worldwide could reduce pollution-related deaths by millions of people each year. Meeting the World Health Organization's particulate air quality guidelines could prevent up to 2.1 million deaths annually.
Wildfires in Canada are releasing massive amounts of smoke that are drifting south into the US Midwest, affecting air quality. Exposure to this smoke is particularly hazardous for those with respiratory issues, elderly, and children due to its composition of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and other chemicals.
New research finds that pH lowering of municipal water supplies can increase particulate lead levels due to corrosion of cast iron mains. The study suggests that future strategies to reduce lead in drinking water may require infrastructure upgrades or iron control measures.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that death rates among people over 65 are higher in areas with more fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) than in those with lower levels. Exposure to PM2.5 was linked to increased mortality, even at concentrations below EPA standards.
A world-first study by QUT reveals that roadside air is more charged with particles than air under high-voltage power lines, with concentrations up to 15 times higher within 10 meters of a freeway. The study highlights the significant impact of motor vehicle emissions on urban air quality.
Research found that long-term exposure to fine particle air pollution, particularly at low levels, can cause subtle structural changes in the brain and increase the risk of covert brain infarcts. This association was strongest among older adults and those with relatively healthy brains.
A new method to simulate soiling and weathering processes has been approved by ASTM International, reducing product rating time from three years to just three days. This allows for the introduction of high-performance cool roofs worldwide.
A study by Helmholtz Munich researchers found that exposure to ultrafine particles can induce immediate changes in heart rate variability in individuals with impaired glucose metabolism or diabetes. The research suggests potential health risks and demands for threshold limit values for environmental standards.
The UChicago Materials Research Center has received a six-year, $20.6 million grant from the NSF to investigate materials formed far from equilibrium and explore new paradigms for material fabrication and response. The center will support three IRGs addressing fundamental issues in soft materials, active materials, and quantum materials.
Researchers applied GSH to various experiments, demonstrating its suitability for describing complex granular media behavior regardless of flow speed. This approach resolves previous limitations in explaining granular material flows at low and high speeds.
A new series of articles examines the association between air pollution and health, with studies finding links between short-term exposure and increased risks of stroke and anxiety. The research highlights the need for policy changes to reduce exposure in highly polluted regions.
A new technique measures forces inside materials like sand, soil, or snow under pressure, allowing researchers to better understand phenomena like grain hoppers and natural disasters.
Scientists observed multiple hot spots across Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast, indicating forest fires, which are associated with smoke containing carbon monoxide and particulate matter. The surrounding areas experienced heavy snowfall, covering parts of Poland, Belarus, Lithuania, and Latvia.
A recent study reveals biomass burners emit fine particulate emissions linked to heart problems and premature deaths. The researchers found that maintaining high burning efficiency can reduce these emissions and improve air quality.
A new study finds that traditional yak dung burning in Tibetan households releases high levels of fine particulate matter, including black carbon. The pollution poses a significant health risk to the local population, who spend most of their time indoors during the cold season.
A numerical triaxial apparatus based on discrete element method simulates and reproduces the mechanical property of granular materials in landslide. The modified DEM model reflects the main mechanism of friction and dilatancy, providing detail information of mechanical properties such as friction angle and dilatancy angle.
A new study from Harvard School of Public Health found that exposure to fine particulate matter during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, may increase the risk of autism in children. The study analyzed data from over 116,000 female nurses and found a significant association between PM2.5 exposure and autism risk.
Researchers found brown organic carbon and black carbon particles in the Taj Mahal complex, which come from fuel combustion, cooking, and brick-making. The dust may come from local agricultural activities or distant sources, and reducing particulate matter could have health benefits for people in the region.
A new study published by the American Chemical Society finds that switching to cleaner heating oils could prevent up to 290 premature deaths and 550 emergency room visits in New York City annually. The study estimates that emissions reductions would benefit high-poverty neighborhoods the most.
Fires in the Egyptian River Delta are a recurring phenomenon, typically occurring every year in October and November. The annual fire season is attributed to farmers burning leftover straw from the rice harvest, resulting in widespread air pollution and health risks.
Research found that non-smokers living with smokers are exposed to PM2.5 concentrations three times higher than the WHO guidance, similar to heavily polluted cities. Inhaling in a smoke-free home could reduce exposure by over 70% for non-smokers.
Air pollution regulations in Taiyuan, China have reduced the cost of loss of life and disability by over 50% since 2001, resulting in 2,810 fewer premature deaths. The study also found significant reductions in hospital admissions, outpatient visits, and cases of bronchitis.
Numerous wildfires have impacted Russia's landscape this summer, producing smoke that has drifted to the Arctic Sea. The smoke contains a mixture of particles and chemicals produced by incomplete burning of carbon-containing materials.
A team of University of California, Riverside students designed a tray that reduces particulate matter pollution from grilling by 70% when placed under grill grates. The tray, which can be installed in existing grills, draws untreated air through a filter to decrease PM2.5 emissions.