Results for search "Pollution, Air".
More people around the world are exposed to wildfire smoke that has the potential to harm human health, and their numbers are growing, new research finds.
More than 2 billion people are exposed to at least one day of potentially health-impacting wildfire smoke each year, a figure that has grown by almost 7% in the past decade, according to a study led by Australian scientists.
Mor...
When Canadian wildfire smoke shrouded the New York City skyline and spread to parts of New England this summer, millions of East Coast residents saw firsthand just how pervasive it can be.
Now, a new study quantifies exactly what wildfire smoke is doing to hard-fought gains in cleaning up the air, even in Eastern states not typically affected by wildfires.
“Since 2000, there's bee...
Air pollution has long been known to harm the heart and lungs, but new research suggests it might also raise the risk of breast cancer.
Researchers at the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) discovered that the largest increases in breast cancer incidence were among women who, on average, had higher levels of particulate...
As this summer has shown, the massive smoke plumes generated by wildfires can dirty the air of regions many miles away. Now a new study is raising the question of whether that pollution is contributing to suicides in rural America.
Researchers found a correlation between air pollution from "drifting" wildfire smoke and a rise in U.S. counties' suicide rates. The connection was not seen ev...
Smoke from Canadian wildfires sent high numbers of people suffering from asthma attacks to America's emergency rooms this spring and summer, according to two new reports.
From April 30 to August 4, 2023, smoke from out-of-control wildfires in Canada increased emergency room visits for asthma by 17% over average, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ...
Living through days of smoky air from Canadian wildfires in June was unpleasant for New York City residents, but new data shows it wasn't as immediately concerning for their lungs as feared.
The research finds breathing-related hospital visits weren't much worse in the city on these days than when pollen is especially high, though longer-term impacts aren’t so clear.
“Thankfully...
People who daily breathe in air pollution, particularly from wildfires or agricultural sources, might need to add a heightened risk of dementia to their list of health concerns.
New research looked at the potential effects of particle pollution on dementia, finding an association even ...
The heart risks posed by air pollution have grown worldwide over the past three decades, a new study claims.
The annual number of premature heart-related deaths and years of disability attributable to particulate matter (PM) air pollution increased 31% between 1990 and 2019, the researchers reported.
Men suffered more than women, experiencing a 43% increase in air pollution-related ...
New research links air pollution to a variety of cancers, not just lung cancer.
Long-term exposure to fine-particulate air pollutants (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) may also increase the risk of developing colon, prostate and other cancers, researchers found.
"What we're seeing is that with air pollution we're looking at thousands of additional cases of cancer per year in the co...
Doctors who overprescribe antibiotics are often blamed for medication-resistant illnesses, but new research points to another potential culprit: air pollution.
Controlling air pollution could reduce antibiotic resistance, greatly reducing deaths and economic costs, according to a new in-depth global analysis were published Aug. 7 in The Lancet Planetary Health..
“An...
Workers making the most popular type of countertop sold in the United States are at risk for potentially deadly lung disease, a new study finds.
The risk owes to the tiny particles of dust produced while cutting, shaping and polishing the synthetic quartz.
Inhaling the dust causes the same lung damage, called silicosis, seen for centuries in miners and cutters of natural stone. Engi...
The extreme heat and choking wildfire smoke blanketing wide swaths of the United States this summer are actively dangerous to heart health, a new study reports.
Days where soaring heat combines with fine particulate air pollution can double a person's risk of a fatal heart attack, researchers have found.
“Heat wave exposure interacts synergistically with fine particulate pollution...
Scientists have reported a link between air pollution and dementia risk, but they haven't had a good understanding of the mechanisms behind this association. Now, a new study provides some answers.
“In this study, we found that two types of vitamin B-related amino acids played a role in increasing or decreasing the risk of dementia caused by air pollution,” said
The cleanup of industrial chemicals following a freight train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, early this year released high levels of some dangerous gases, including acrolein, investigators say.
The Norfolk Southern freight train was carrying numerous hazardous chemicals. To avoid a catastrophic explosion after the Feb. 3 derailment, authorities opted for a...
The Canadian wildfires that are burning out of control have brought hazy skies and polluted air to parts of the United States unprepared for it -- and that's affecting not just the people, but their pets and livestock, too.
An animal welfare expert from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers some advice for animal caregivers to help them get their animals through these smoky...
For the second time this month, massive plumes of smoke from hundreds of out-of-control Canadian wildfires are polluting much of America's air.
Among the major U.S. cities now experiencing poor air quality are St. Louis, Milwaukee, Cincinnati and Chicago, while entire states have also issued air quality alerts, according to the
Enjoy that summer sun, but keep some safety tips in mind, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents.
“It's great to see children enjoying nature and reaping the benefits of outdoor activities,” Atlanta-based pediatrician Dr. Rebecca Philipsborn said in an AAP ne...
Clouds of smoke continue to drift over the Eastern United States and Europe from wildfires in Canada, and experts are predicting a longer and more destructive wildfire season due to rising temperatures and drier conditions.
Now, new research puts a numbe...
As a huge plume of smoke from over 400 Canadian wildfires swept south and turned New York City into a landscape that resembled Mars more than Earth, heart experts warned that air pollution can damage your heart as much as it damages your lungs.
It's obvious that wildfires can affect breathing and respiratory health, but exposure to this smoke can also cause or worsen heart problems, the ...
Consider yourself a lifesaver if you opt for an electric vehicle next time you buy or lease a new car.
Electric cars can save millions of lives and reduce health care costs by improving air quality so people can breathe better and freer, according to a new report by the American Lung Association. Zero-emission electric vehicles don't emit exhaust gas or other pollutants into the atmospher...
Wildfires that have been spreading throughout Canada in recent weeks are now spewing tons of smoke southward into the United States.
The smoke was so thick on Tuesday that New York City's skyline could not be seen clearly and air quality alerts were issued to residents from parts of the N...
Large, uncontrolled wildfires in Nova Scotia are creating unhealthy air in the Northeast region of the United States, including parts of Connecticut.
This significant smoke plume is likely to cause elevated levels of fine particulate matter, the American Lung Association warned in its alert. Particulate matter contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can ...
Two western U.S. states issued air quality alerts over the weekend as heavy smoke from fires blazing in Canada drifted south.
Both Colorado and Montana experienced air quality issues because of dozens of Canadian fires. A third state, Utah, noted that it was beginning to see smoke, while Idaho had experienced haze last week, the Associated Press reported.
“People with hea...
Toxic chemicals that develop from car exhaust, smoking and backyard grilling might increase your risk of developing the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis, a new study suggests.
These chemicals are called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). They form as coal, oil, gas, wood or tobacco burn. Flame grilling of meat and other foods also contribute to PAH formation, the researchers ...
Does where you live affect your risk for lung cancer? Just possibly, experts warn.
Although cigarette smoking is the principal cause of most lung cancers, new research has found evidence that Americans who live in areas where air quality is poor may be at greater risk...
Pollutants produced by the U.S. oil and gas industry cause thousands of deaths and cost the country tens of billions in health care expenses, a new study reports.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine particulate matter and ozone all contribute to air pollution, and all are emitted as part of oil and gas production, the researchers said.
The new study estimates that the oil and gas industry ...
Nearly one-third of Americans live in counties with unhealthy air, according to a new report from the American Lung Association.
One in three, or 120 million, people lives with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution, the “State of the Air” report says.
While air quality has improved overall, there are major differences between Eastern and Western states and in air poll...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to put the pedal to the metal in America's transition to clean electric vehicles.
The EPA today announced proposed federal emissions standards aimed at accelerating the move to electric cars and trucks.
Once adopted, the standards are expected to create a massive improvement in air pollution across the nation, particularly in smog-choke...
The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday proposed limiting the use of a chemical used to clean medical equipment in sterilizing plants because it also raises cancer risks for workers.
The agency plans to slash emissions of the odorless gas, called ethylene oxide, by about 80% at 86 medical sterilization facilities.
“EPA's number one priority is protecting people's health and...
Even as many U.S. nuclear reactors reach the end of their estimated life spans, the country still gets nearly 20% of its power from these sites.
Now, new research claims that shutting them down could increase air pollution and cause more deaths because while nuclear power plants are considered relatively clean energy, many potential replacement sources for nuclear power are not.
P...
Exposure to air pollution may increase the risk of developing dementia, according to a review of prior research.
The new Harvard study is the latest look at a host of health issues — from dementia to heart disease and stroke — linked to pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), as well as nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide.
The findings support the need to streng...
While all Americans could benefit from proposed new limits on what's called PM2.5 air pollution, new research indicates the change has the potential to benefit Black and low-income Americans the most.
The limits being considered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could cut death rates in those more vulnerable groups by up to 7%, according to researchers from Harvard T.H. C...
A new study is enough to take your breath way: Nearly no place on Earth is free of air pollution, it found.
The study "provides a deep understanding of the current state of outdoor air pollution and its impacts on human health. With this information, policymakers, public health officials and researchers can better assess the short-term and long-term health effects of air pollution and dev...
Sewage-polluted Southern California coastal waters become airborne in sea spray aerosol, and can spread to people on land, even beyond the beach, according to a new study.
For this research, scientists sampled coastal aerosols at Imperial Beach in San Diego County and water from the Ti...
Children in Sweden's capital can breathe a little easier.
As Stockholm's air has gotten cleaner, young people's lungs have gotten stronger, new research shows. The findings could have implications for cities worldwide.
While the adverse impact of air pollutants on kids' lung health is well-documented, the impact of changes in air quality on lung development is less studied, research...
Exposure to elevated levels of air pollutants is associated with bone damage in postmenopausal women, according to a new study that said the effects were most evident on the lumbar spine.
High levels of niitrogen oxides in air nearly doubled the effects of normal aging on bone density in the spine, said researchers from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health in New York Cit...
Causes of different kinds of dementia vary, but about 40% are affected by risk factors a person can influence through lifestyle choices.
Two University of Michigan neurologists offer 10 tips for modifying those risks.
People living in heavily polluted areas of the United States may be more vulnerable to Parkinson's disease, a new study suggests.
Specifically, the culprit is a type of air pollution called fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is less than 2.5 microns in diameter and comes from car exhaust, burning of fuels in power plants and other industries, and forest and grass fires, researchers s...
Electric cars are still in the minority on America's roads, yet researchers are already seeing health benefits from reduced tailpipe pollution.
In a new California study, neighborhoods with the most all-electric cars -- called zero-emission vehicles -- saw a decline in asthma-related emergency room visits. Researchers believe this was a result of lower levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in...
If you find yourself stuck in a traffic jam and you start to feel fuzzy-headed, the diesel exhaust from the truck in front of you might be to blame.
New research found that just two hours of exposure to diesel exhaust impaired the brain's functional connectivity, which can lower your ability to think and remember.
"We compared people after diesel exhaust exposure compared to filter...
A mother-to-be's exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may have a lasting impact on her baby's brain development, new research indicates.
Toddlers scored lower on assessments for thinking, motor and language skills when their mothers had more exposure to pollutants during pregnancy, according to researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder.
“Our findings suggest that pol...
While U.S. policymakers have attempted to lower lead exposure among children since the 1970s, new research finds that kids living near airports are still being exposed to dangerous levels of the heavy metal.
“Across an ensemble of tests, we find consistent evidence that the blood lead levels of children residing near the airport are pushed upward by the deposition of leaded aviation ga...
Gas stoves could face new emissions standards or even be banned because of their link to indoor air pollutants and childhood asthma, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The federal agency will open public comment on gas cooking stoves and their hazards sometime this winter, Bloomberg News reported.
“This is a hidden hazard,” agency commissio...
For the first time in a decade, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed strengthening standards on fine soot in the air, a known contributor to serious health issues.
Under the new proposal, standards for fine particulate pollution, known as PM 2.5, would change from a level of 12 micrograms per cubic meter to a level between nine and 10 micrograms per cubic meter. The stand...
Air pollution may trigger more asthma attacks in urban children and teens, a new study reports.
Even moderate levels of ozone and fine airborne particulates — two ingredients of smog — appear to increase kids' risk of asthma attacks, according to findings published online Jan. 4 in
Air pollution is plaguing the world's oldest subway system, a new study warns, with high levels of tiny metal particles found in dust samples throughout the London Underground.
Whether these particles actually pose a risk to human health remains an open question, British researchers acknowledge. But experts say it's happening in subway systems elsewhere, including the United States.
<...As the United States moves towards a world in which electric vehicles (EVs) have fully replaced fossil fuel-driven engines, can Americans look forward to reliably cleaner air and better health?
Absolutely, a new study predicts.
By 2050, researchers say, th...
The air where you work could be increasing your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, a new study suggests.
Breathing in the fumes from commercial vapors, gases and solvents -- and even common dusts found in the workplace -- appears to increase chances of the chronic autoimmune joint disorder, researchers reported Dec. 6 in the
With wind power picking up as a viable energy source, new research shows U.S. air quality is getting better, benefiting all Americans' health.
There was one caveat to the findings, however: Only about a third of the potentially enormous health benefit is being seen in low-income areas and those with a concentration of minority residents.
"Wind power has gained huge momentum in ...
Protecting pregnant women from air pollution may improve the birth weight of their babies, a new study suggests.
This is especially important for stressed-out mothers who live in neighborhoods burdened by poor air quality.