Pollution

Environmental exposures, from air and ocean pollution to climate change and urbanization, have profound and far-reaching effects on human health and well-being. This hub brings together authoritative, evidence-based articles that examine the health risks associated with pollution, microplastics, toxicants, and environmental changes, alongside practical strategies for risk reduction and public health protection. Explore how environmental hazards influence conditions such as asthma, neurological health, pregnancy outcomes, and skin health, and discover the vital connections between planetary health and individual well-being. These resources support informed decision-making for clinicians, policymakers, and the public alike.

Bacterial Risks at Beaches and Evidence-Based Safety Strategies

Beaches face escalating risks from microbial contamination due to climate change and human activity, increasing the burden of waterborne illnesses for swimmers. Integrating advanced monitoring technologies, improved public education, and policy reforms is essential for protecting beachgoers’ health.

How do Microplastics Affect Our Health?

Can Weather or Air Pollution Trigger Migraine?

Health Effects of Artificial Light

Autism and Particulate Air Matter

Ocean Pollution and Human Health

The Role of Toxicology in Wildlife Conservation

Pollution and Alzheimer's

How Air Pollution Impacts Brain Health

5 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Microplastic Intake

How PFAS Are Impacting Human Health

What Impact does Climate Change have on Our Health?

See more featured articles »

How Composting Protects Public Health and Our Planet

How Does the Health of Our Planet Affect Our Own Health?

What is Planetary Health?

Healthcare During The Climate Crisis

Anti-Pollution Skincare: Protecting Skin in Urban Environments

Urbanization and Human Health

The Effect of Climate Change on Asthma

Air Pollution and Lung Health

Pollution and Mental Health

AAM - Air pollution and Alzheimer's

Pollution and Mental Health

How has COVID-19 Influenced Pollution?

What are the Health Effects of Exhaust Emissions?

Air Pollution and Eye Health

Environmental Health Hazards: An Overview

What are the Health Effects of Exhaust Emissions?

Environmental Hazards in Pregnancy

Latest Pollution News and Research

Planetary crisis heightens global inequality of health opportunities

The worldwide inequality of health opportunities is being further heightened by the triple planetary crisis - climate change, loss of biodiversity and environmental pollution.

22 Sep 2026

Polystyrene nanoplastics may threaten reproductive health and offspring development

Plastic pollution is increasingly being recognized as more than an environmental problem. Tiny plastic particles can enter living organisms, circulate through biological systems, and potentially reach reproductive tissues.

21 Sep 2026

New international standard creates unified health data across Europe

Every breath we take contains tiny particles that are invisible to the naked eye and can harm our health. Air pollution alone contributes to heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and other chronic illnesses.

21 Sep 2026

Wildfire smoke may be more harmful than other air pollution, two Mount Sinai studies find

As climate change drives more frequent and intense wildfires, researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have published two large-scale studies showing that wildfire smoke may pose greater health risks than other sources of air pollution, with higher risks of hospitalization for cardiovascular and respiratory disease and poorer survival among patients with lung cancer.

18 Sep 2026

Wildfire smoke poses greater health risks than other pollution

17 Sep 2026

Study explores pregnancy risks from heat and wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke and extreme heat – increasingly the new norm – each have their own harmful effects on pregnant people and babies, including preterm birth and low birthweight.

15 Sep 2026

Nighttime coughing could be due to air pollution levels, research suggests

Has your partner ever woken you up at night with their coughing? Has your coughing ever woken them up? New research suggests it could be due to air pollution levels in your area, even if those levels are low.

15 Sep 2026

Optimizing respiratory virus research workflows with VACUBOY

UTS researchers utilize the VACUBOY and VACUSAFE systems to enhance respiratory health studies, streamlining cell culture workflows and improving productivity.

15 Sep 2026

Bacterial strains determine pneumonia and meningitis risk from air pollution

Air pollution leads to different risk of bacterial pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis, depending on the subtype of bacteria a person has, new research suggests.

15 Sep 2026

Air pollution linked to higher risks of glaucoma and cataract

People who live in areas with higher levels of air pollution are more likely to develop glaucoma and cataract, according to a large study presented today (Monday) at the 44th Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS).

15 Sep 2026

Neighborhood environments impact long-term health of 9/11 responders

Twenty-five years after the September 11 terrorist attacks, researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have found that environmental conditions where World Trade Center responders live may influence their long-term physical and mental health.

11 Sep 2026

Neural network model accurately predicts regional heat mortality risk

Extreme heat is a leading cause of climate-related mortality, responsible for over five million deaths globally each year. As climate change intensifies, these events are becoming more frequent and severe, posing significant challenges to public health, particularly in densely populated urban areas.

10 Sep 2026

Nighttime light exposure may alter heart structure and function

Exposure to light during the nighttime is linked to important and potentially harmful changes to the structure and function of the heart, according to a study of more than 11,000 people published in the European Heart Journal today (Thursday).

10 Sep 2026

The link between PM2.5 and ADHD held up after researchers tested other explanations

Using two decades of U.S. county-level data, researchers found that long-term PM2.5 exposure was robustly associated with higher childhood ADHD prevalence, while associations with low birth weight and diabetes weakened after accounting for county-specific temporal trends. The ADHD association persisted after socioeconomic, demographic, state-level, exposure-period, and spatial adjustments, although the ecological study cannot establish an individual-level causal relationship.

9 Sep 2026

River-type drinking water sources generally carry higher antibiotic resistance risks

Antibiotic resistance is increasingly recognized as a major public health and environmental challenge, yet the risks are not evenly distributed across aquatic environments.

8 Sep 2026

Bacteria found in classroom dust may affect children’s respiratory health

Common bacteria found in classroom dust are associated with reduced lung function in children according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

6 Sep 2026

Genetic COPD risk emerges early with higher air pollution

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious, incurable lung disease that is common in older people.

6 Sep 2026

Microplastics transport toxins and antibiotic resistance across ecosystems

Microplastics are often viewed as pollutants in their own right, but their environmental impact may extend far beyond the plastic particles themselves.

4 Sep 2026

Researchers find greater microplastic burden in lung cancer patients

People with lung cancer are more likely to have microplastics in their lungs and to have larger quantities of microplastics in their lungs, according to research that will be presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

4 Sep 2026

Freshwater swimming linked to doubled risk of skin problems and stomach bugs

People swimming in rivers and lakes could be putting themselves at risk of nasty skin conditions and stomach bugs, according to a new study from the University of East Anglia.

27 Aug 2026