Pollution News and Research

Latest Pollution News and Research

Impaired air quality associated with children's absences from school

In Salt Lake City schools, absences rise when the air quality worsens, and it's not just in times of high pollution or "red" air quality days--even days following lower levels of pollutions saw increased absences.

9 Oct 2020

Long-term exposure to urban air pollution may make COVID-19 more deadly

As the pandemic persists, COVID-19 has claimed more than 200,000 lives in the United States and damaged the public health system and economy.

8 Oct 2020

Air pollution can cause neurological damage

Researchers looking at the brainstems of children and young adults exposed lifelong to air pollution in Mexico City have discovered disturbing evidence of harm.

7 Oct 2020

800 million children have high lead levels in their blood

As many as 800 million children have dangerously high lead values in their blood. The neurotoxin can cause permanent brain damage.

1 Oct 2020

COVID-19 has created a perfect storm for people with heart disease

The COVID-19 pandemic is creating a perfect storm for heart health, the World Heart Federation warns on World Heart Day.

30 Sep 2020

COVID-19 has created a perfect storm for people with heart disease

The COVID-19 pandemic is creating a perfect storm for heart health, the World Heart Federation warns on World Heart Day.

30 Sep 2020

Ventilation systems may increase the risk of exposure to novel coronavirus

Ventilation systems in many modern office buildings, which are designed to keep temperatures comfortable and increase energy efficiency, may increase the risk of exposure to the coronavirus, particularly during the coming winter, according to research published in the Journal of Fluid Mechanics.

29 Sep 2020

Evaporation is critical for coronavirus transmission in colder months

Dr. Talib Dbouk and Professor Dimitris Drikakis speak to News-Medical about how evaporation is essential for coronavirus transmission in the winter.

28 Sep 2020

Innovative nature-based solutions to reduce urban air pollution

It is estimated that air pollution causes around 800 000 premature deaths every year in the EU alone, and the majority of us, especially those living in cities, are regularly exposed to air containing high levels of pollutants.

28 Sep 2020

As fires and floods wreak havoc on health, new climate center seeks solutions

For the past month, record-breaking wildfires have torched millions of acres from the Mexican border well into Canada, their smoke producing air so toxic that millions of people remained indoors for days on end while many visited hospitals because of respiratory distress.

24 Sep 2020

Researchers detect pollution particles in the placentas of UK women

Pollution particles, including metals, have been found in the placentas of fifteen women in London, according to research led by Queen Mary University of London.

24 Sep 2020

Wildfire smoke more harmful than other types of air pollution for people with asthma

For people who suffer from asthma, wildfire smoke is more hazardous than other types of air pollution, according to a new study from the Desert Research Institute, the Renown Institute for Health Innovation and the Washoe County Health District.

23 Sep 2020

COVID-19 lockdown measures reduced air pollution in Southeast Asia

In an attempt to contain the spread of the disease, many countries worldwide, including Malaysia and other Southeast Asian (SEA) countries, have enforced lockdowns of varying degrees, which has inadvertently caused some positive changes to the environment.

21 Sep 2020

Preventing emissions at source can mitigate microfiber pollution, shows study

The amount of synthetic microfiber we shed into our waterways has been of great concern over the last few years, and for good reason: Every laundry cycle releases in its wastewater tens of thousands of tiny, near-invisible plastic fibers whose persistence and accumulation can affect aquatic habitats and food systems, and ultimately our own bodies in ways we have yet to discover.

17 Sep 2020

Pollution exposure associated with stroke risk in people with atrial fibrillation

People with one of the most common heart disorders who are exposed to greater levels of pollution have a 1.2-fold higher risk of stroke than their peers who live with less pollution, according to a JAMA Network Open study published recently by researchers at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

16 Sep 2020

Microfiber pillows could harbor SARS-CoV-2 particles

A new study by researchers at the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China and published in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety suggests that respiratory pathogens can not only fall on the fabric covers but can also penetrate the outer cover and go into the microfiber stuffing.

16 Sep 2020

Scientists reveal relationship between region of residence and level of toxic metal in organism

A group of medical and environmental researchers from RUDN University evaluated the level of heavy metals in the organism of first-year university students from different countries of the world.

15 Sep 2020

Smoke from wildfires may increase COVID-19 risk

The smoke the firefighters are breathing is heightening their risk of contracting the new coronavirus, with potentially life-threatening effects. Further, fighting the huge fires may make infection control measures such as hand washing and social distancing, challenging to perform.

14 Sep 2020

Study explores essential mechanisms to improve the resistance of crops to climatic stresses

Research on genetic improvement by the Ecophysiology and Biotechnology Group of the Jaume I University of Castellón has studied the essential mechanisms to obtain plants of agronomic interest with greater capacity to face high temperatures, high solar irradiation, drought or pollution.

14 Sep 2020

CityU produces graphene face masks with excellent anti-bacterial efficiency

Face masks have become an important tool in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic. However, improper use or disposal of masks may lead to "secondary transmission".

10 Sep 2020