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Study finds no elevated risk of dust-related disease for subway workers

New York subway commuters may worry more about rats and rising fares than dust floating through the system, but for the workers who spend their whole shift below ground, air quality has long been a concern. Results from a new pilot study using miniaturized air samplers to look at steel dust exposure may help them breathe easier.

13 Jan 2010

Specialized software provides 3D images of individual patients' livers

Odysseus has developed systems to construct 3D images of individual patients' livers, with their tumours or other pathologies, from MRI or CT-scans. The reconstructions can be transmitted to external experts in any location, for consultation in real time just before surgery.

8 Jan 2010

E-The Environmental Magazine: Environmental toxicity drives up autism rates

As many as one in 90 children are today being diagnosed with autism--and autism research continues to focus almost exclusively on genetics. In its January/February 2010 issue (posted now at: www.emagazine.com), E-The Environmental Magazine looks at another factor that may be driving up autism rates--environmental toxicity.

7 Jan 2010

Restoration of natural water flows can cause ecological harm

Conservation projects often attempt to enhance the water-based transport of material, energy, and organisms in natural ecosystems. River restoration, for example, commonly includes boosting maximum flow rates.

5 Jan 2010

Special issue on climate justice highlights effects of global warming on human health

Global warming, pollution, and the environmental consequences of energy production impose a greater burden on low-income, disadvantaged communities, and strategies to prevent these inequities are urgently needed.

23 Dec 2009

Older adults face higher risk of hospitalization for pneumonia when exposed to pollution

Older adults with long-term exposure to higher levels of pollution are at higher risk for hospitalization for pneumonia, according to researchers in Canada.

23 Dec 2009

Poverty and dropout rates as important as smoking problem in the U.S.

The average low-income person loses 8.2 years of perfect health, the average high school dropout loses 5.1 years, and the obese lose 4.2 years, according to researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. Tobacco control has long been one of the most important public health policies, and rightly so; the average smoker loses 6.6 years of perfect health to their habit.

23 Dec 2009

Prolonged exposure to higher levels of pollutants can lead to hospitalization for pneumonia

A McMaster University researcher has found the first evidence that prolonged exposure to higher levels of the pollutants found in car exhaust fumes and industrial air pollution can lead to hospitalization for pneumonia in adults aged 65 and older.

23 Dec 2009

Individuals with lower educational status are associated with worse asthma symptoms

Individuals with more education suffer less from asthma. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access journal Respiratory Research have found that having less than 12 years of formal schooling is associated with worse asthma symptoms.

16 Dec 2009

Data shows drop in natural disaster-related deaths, growing economic losses; Sen. Murkowski moves to halt EPA greenhouse gas regulation

New data from the WHO and the Belgian Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters Deaths and released at the U.N. climate conference show the number of people dying in climate-related disasters has decreased, and that economic losses from natural disasters are growing, Reuters AlertNet reports.

15 Dec 2009

Findings raise new hope for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A new study involving data from more than 20,000 individuals has uncovered several DNA sequences linked to impaired pulmonary function. The research, an analysis that combined the results of several smaller studies, provides insight into the mechanisms involved in reaching full lung capacity.

15 Dec 2009

Several DNA sequences linked to impaired pulmonary function, uncovers new study

14 Dec 2009

Children exposed to tobacco smoke prenatally develop behavioral problems, shows study

The scientists observed that the impact of tobacco smoke was especially detrimental during gestation. The results of the study have been published in the current online issue of the renowned journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

10 Dec 2009

EPA declares greenhouse gases a threat to public health; other health issues addressed at climate conference

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Monday "said greenhouse gases are a danger to public health and welfare in a decision that could eventually lead to new emissions regulations," the Wall Street Journal reports (Ball/Forelle/Talley, 12/7). According to the Associated Press/ABC News, the declaration on the opening day of the U.N. Climate Change Conference "signaled the [Obama] administration was prepared to push ahead for significant controls in the U.S. if Congress doesn't act first on its own" (Herbert/Cappiello, 12/7).

8 Dec 2009

Canadians’ health and well-being can be improved by adopting certain environmental health measures

The health and well-being of Canadians could be greatly improved by adopting some of the environmental health approaches taken in Australia, Sweden and California, according to a Conference Board of Canada report, Critical Steps for Canada: Environmental Health Lessons Across Borders.

8 Dec 2009

Sustainable development: A critical factor against rising global population and climate change

Sustainability is the only way forward for industry that does not lead to an environmental dead-end. Waste recycling has its place, but researchers in France suggest that from the outset the design of a product should consider the whole life cycle to offer any chance of sustainability.

7 Dec 2009

Environmental sensors may help avoid air pollution hot spots in everyday life

You want to go for a run, but you don't want to run in polluted air that might aggravate your asthma. University of California, San Diego computer scientists are creating a network of environmental sensors that will help you avoid air pollution hot spots that exist exactly when you are planning your route.

5 Dec 2009

SynBIA formed to address the emergence of synthetic biology industry and to promote its potential

To address the emergence of the synthetic biology industry and to promote its potential, a group of individuals and companies announced the formation of the Synthetic Biology Industry Association (SynBIA) in Cambridge, Massachusetts last week.

2 Dec 2009

WALFA project demonstrates alternative way to mitigate climate change

A landmark Australian project that mitigates the extent and severity of natural savannah blazes by deploying traditional Indigenous fire management techniques is being hailed as a model with vast global potential in the fights against climate change and biodiversity loss, and for protecting Indigenous lands and culture.

30 Nov 2009

AMPAC Fine Chemicals receives Environmental Responsibility and Sustainability Award

AMPAC Fine Chemicals LLC (AFC), a subsidiary of American Pacific Corporation (Nasdaq: APFC) announced today that it received the Environmental Responsibility and Sustainability Award at the Annual Statewide Environmental Summit, sponsored by the California Manufacturers and Technology Association (CMTA), the Industrial Environmental Association (IEA) and the Chemical Industry Council of California (CICC) held in San Diego.

26 Nov 2009

Pollution News and Research

Study finds no elevated risk of dust-related disease for subway workers

Specialized software provides 3D images of individual patients' livers

E-The Environmental Magazine: Environmental toxicity drives up autism rates

Restoration of natural water flows can cause ecological harm

Special issue on climate justice highlights effects of global warming on human health

Older adults face higher risk of hospitalization for pneumonia when exposed to pollution

Poverty and dropout rates as important as smoking problem in the U.S.

Prolonged exposure to higher levels of pollutants can lead to hospitalization for pneumonia

Individuals with lower educational status are associated with worse asthma symptoms

Data shows drop in natural disaster-related deaths, growing economic losses; Sen. Murkowski moves to halt EPA greenhouse gas regulation

Findings raise new hope for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Several DNA sequences linked to impaired pulmonary function, uncovers new study

Children exposed to tobacco smoke prenatally develop behavioral problems, shows study

EPA declares greenhouse gases a threat to public health; other health issues addressed at climate conference

Canadians’ health and well-being can be improved by adopting certain environmental health measures

Sustainable development: A critical factor against rising global population and climate change

Environmental sensors may help avoid air pollution hot spots in everyday life

SynBIA formed to address the emergence of synthetic biology industry and to promote its potential

WALFA project demonstrates alternative way to mitigate climate change

AMPAC Fine Chemicals receives Environmental Responsibility and Sustainability Award

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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