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 has COVID-19 Influenced Pollution?

AAM - Air pollution and Alzheimer's

Autism and Particulate Air Matter

Air Pollution and Lung Health

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

Pollution and Alzheimer's

How PFAS Are Impacting Human Health

Ocean Pollution and Human Health

Air Pollution and Eye Health

Pollution and Mental Health

How do Microplastics Affect Our Health?

See more featured articles »

What are the Health Effects of Exhaust Emissions?

Can Weather or Air Pollution Trigger Migraine?

Pollution and Mental Health

Healthcare During The Climate Crisis

The Role of Toxicology in Wildlife Conservation

What is Planetary Health?

How Air Pollution Impacts Brain Health

Urbanization and Human Health

Health Effects of Artificial Light

Anti-Pollution Skincare: Protecting Skin in Urban Environments

5 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Microplastic Intake

Environmental Hazards in Pregnancy

The Effect of Climate Change on Asthma

Environmental Health Hazards: An Overview

What are the Health Effects of Exhaust Emissions?

What Impact does Climate Change have on Our Health?

How Composting Protects Public Health and Our Planet

Latest Pollution News and Research

Micro and nanoplastics in the blood linked to increased heart attack risk factors

People who have suffered a serious heart attack had higher levels of micro and nanoplastics in their blood, compared to patients diagnosed with chronic ischemic heart disease and those who have normal blood vessels supplying the heart, according to a study published in the European Heart Journal today (Wednesday).

14 Jul 2026

AI could accelerate commercialization of bio-based chemical manufacturing

The era of "biomanufacturing", in which microbes, not petroleum, produce chemical products, is one step closer. A KAIST research team has analyzed the key challenges limiting the commercialization of biomanufacturing and proposed an AI-driven strategy for industrialization.

13 Jul 2026

Cruise ship pollution increases risk of viral infections in ports

Air pollution from cruise ships could be damaging the health of people living in port cities by increasing inflammation and susceptibility to viruses such as the common cold and COVID-19.

11 Jul 2026

Exposure to port-derived particles facilitates the replication of COVID-19 and cold viruses

Air pollution from cruise ships could be damaging the health of people living in port cities by increasing inflammation and susceptibility to viruses such as the common cold and COVID-19.

10 Jul 2026

Global cancer cases projected to reach nearly 35 million by 2050

Millions of people are facing physical, emotional and financial toll of cancer, a disease that claims more than 26 000 lives every day, according to a report released today by the World Health Organization (WHO).

9 Jul 2026

Inhaler misuse linked to cognitive impairment and poor manual dexterity

Cognitive function, hand dexterity, and breathing ability play an important role in helping people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) use their inhalers correctly, according to a new study.

9 Jul 2026

Long-term exposure to air pollution linked to increased risk of Parkinson’s disease

Air pollution is a major public health issue, with long-term exposure to fine particulate matter linked with an increased risk of various diseases, including stroke and dementia.

9 Jul 2026

Cleaner transportation could prevent thousands of premature deaths

A shift to cleaner transportation could prevent more than 3,600 premature deaths in Montreal and Toronto by reducing ultrafine particle pollution, finds a new study led by McGill researchers.

8 Jul 2026

Study links geography to significant differences in sperm quality

A new nationwide study has found substantial regional differences in sperm quality, with men in the highest-performing region recording almost double the total motile sperm count of those in the lowest-performing region.

6 Jul 2026

Air pollution may impact genes involved in sperm development

New research presented today at the 42nd Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) suggests that exposure to air pollution may impact genes associated with sperm development, raising new questions about male fertility, pregnancy outcomes and offspring health.

6 Jul 2026

Simple toilet filter aims to curb antibiotic resistance risks

Antibiotics save lives, but they are also a global health threat. Scientist Noëlie Maurin at SINTEF has an idea that could help solve the problem: Remove antibiotic residues before they are flushed down the drain.

6 Jul 2026

Widely used pandemic pharmaceuticals harm marine aquatic ecosystems

A new study published in New Contaminants suggests that several drugs widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic can be toxic to marine organisms, even at relatively low concentrations.

2 Jul 2026

Extreme heat and cold threaten health of people with dementia

Exposure to extreme heat and cold is associated with an increased risk of emergency department (ED) visits among people living with dementia, according to preliminary research presented today at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2026.

29 Jun 2026

Brighter daytime light is linked to a lower dementia risk

The study finds that greater exposure to daytime light may lower dementia risk, pointing to light's role in enhancing circadian rhythms and cognitive function.

29 Jun 2026

Lack of clean cooking fuel and electricity threatens global health, well-being

At a time when energy security and affordability have risen to the top of the development agenda, 655 million people globally still lack access to electricity, and two billion use polluting fuels and technologies for cooking putting their health and well-being at risk.

25 Jun 2026

Scientists identify genes linking air pollution to severe asthma

For many people with asthma, air-quality advisories are harbingers of worsening symptoms. But for reasons science has struggled to explain, the extent to which pollution exacerbates asthma varies widely from person to person.

24 Jun 2026

Plant-based Mediterranean-style diet cuts heart disease risk by 26%

A 20-year study links plant-based Mediterranean diets to lower heart disease risk, highlighting the importance of sustainable eating for cardiovascular health.

24 Jun 2026

COPD patients lack critical health information during major wildfire events

Wildfire smoke can trigger breathing problems and flare-ups for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), yet many people are not receiving the trusted health information they need to stay safe, according to a new study in the May 2026 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open access journal.

23 Jun 2026

Bogotá’s strictest COVID restrictions delivered the clearest air-quality gains

A natural quasi-experiment in Suba, Bogotá, found that more stringent COVID-19 mobility restrictions were associated with larger reductions in PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅ air pollution. The findings suggest targeted traffic and emissions controls could improve urban air quality, although ozone responses were more complex, and the results may not generalize beyond this high-traffic district.

21 Jun 2026

Forward bending at work may raise miscarriage risk during pregnancy

Bending forwards, and to a lesser extent, walking a lot at work in early pregnancy, may raise the risk of miscarriage, finds a large study of more than 470,000 Danish women, published online in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine.

18 Jun 2026