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UrduPrenatal exposure to ozone is increasingly recognized as a potential risk factor for childhood obesity, with significant implications for public health. A new study investigates the association between ozone levels during pregnancy and the growth trajectories of children, offering insights into the early-life origins of obesity. The research found that a 10 μg/m³ increase in ozone concentration during pregnancy significantly raises BMI, weight-for-age, and weight-for-length Z scores in children. This exposure is linked to accelerated BMI gain and higher obesity risk in early childhood, highlighting the urgent need to address air quality to protect children’s health.
Tag: Air Pollution
Large variations in composition and toxicity of ambient particles found in 31 major cities in China
In an effort looking for optimized air pollution control, scientists from Peking University have detected large variations in the composition and toxicity of ambient particles collected from 31 major Chinese cities located across varying latitudes. The results imply an urgent need to rethink the suitability of current air quality standard adopted, i.e., sole use of PM mass concentration.
Tackling the dual threat: a global strategy for PM2.5 and O3 pollution
A pivotal study decrypts the global interplay of particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) pollutants, highlighting an urgent call for integrated strategies to curb their detrimental impacts on human health and the environment. This research unveils the spatial and temporal dynamics of compound pollution, offering a blueprint for a coordinated global response.
Exposure to Air Pollution During Childhood Associated with Adult Bronchitis
Exposure to nitrogen oxide and particulate matter air pollution in children from birth to 17 years was associated with bronchitic symptoms (i.e., bronchitis, chronic cough, or phlegm) in adulthood, according to new research published early online in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Some landfill ‘burps’ contain airborne PFAS, study finds
Many municipal landfills “burp” gas from decomposing organic matter rather than letting it build up. And burps from buried waste containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can release these “forever chemicals” into the air, say researchers in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology Letters.
Expert available: SCOTUS Decision on Air Pollution
As the Supreme Court wraps up its term, there are a number of major decisions to come. Among them is a decision in the case Ohio v. Environmental Protection Agency, on whether to temporarily stop the Biden administration’s “good neighbor” plan, which…
Planetary boundary layer revealed: satellites illuminate atmospheric mysteries
Unlocking the secrets of Earth’s planetary boundary layer (PBL), a pivotal zone influencing air quality and climate, a new study offers unprecedented insights into atmospheric thermal contrasts (TC). By scrutinizing satellite data, researchers have shed light on how the surface-to-atmosphere temperature gradient affects the detection of atmospheric pollutants.
A new report from the American Lung Association shows nearly 40% of people across the U.S. are living in areas that are heavily polluted.
Susan Anenberg, Director of the GW Climate & Health Institute, and associate professor of environmental and occupational health. Anenberg’s research focuses on the health implications of air pollution and climate change. Recently her team published two studies finding links between…
Researchers look at how pollution, weather, noise, social factors impact AFib
There’s a growing recognition of how the environment we live in affects our heart health. Atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder, affects millions worldwide and can lead to serious health problems. While we’ve studied how genetics and lifestyle play…
Global study reveals health impacts of airborne trace elements
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis led by Randall Martin investigated global particulate matter, revealing health risks from trace elements.
Open waste burning linked to air pollution in Northwestern Greenland
A case study on the effects of open waste burning on air quality in Northwestern Greenland calls attention to the importance of no-one-left-behind sustainable air quality monitoring in the Arctic region.
Turning Night into Day: A Revolutionary Approach to 24/7 Air Quality Monitoring Using Cameras
A new research unveils a groundbreaking approach to air quality monitoring, leveraging the power of surveillance cameras with a state-of-the-art hybrid deep learning model.
Measuring Air Quality to Identify Health Disparities in Communities
Dan Goldberg, an assistant research professor at the George Washington University Milken School of Public Health is an expert on climate change, environmental occupational health and global environmental health. He will lead a panel discussion along with NASA specialists at…
How air pollution can harm team performance
High levels of air pollution can harm performance of teams, which are vital for solving complex problems such as developing clean energy technologies and vaccines, and this could harm economic development in highly polluted emerging economies, says a new study co-authored at Cambridge Judge Business School.
Clearing the air reduces suicide rates
China’s efforts to reduce air pollution have prevented 46,000 suicide deaths in the country over just five years, researchers estimate.
You may be breathing in more tiny nanoparticles from your gas stove than from car exhaust
Cooking on your gas stove can emit more nano-sized particles into the air than vehicles that run on gas or diesel, possibly increasing your risk of developing asthma or other respiratory illnesses, a new Purdue University study has found.
EARLY-LIFE AIRBORNE LEAD EXPOSURE ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER IQ AND SELF-CONTROL IN NIH STUDY
Children who lived in areas with higher levels of airborne lead in their first five years of life appeared to have slightly lower IQs and less self-control, with boys showing more sensitivity to lead exposure, according to a new study from the NIH Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program.
Air Pollution Hides Increases in Rainfall
In a new study, researchers broke down how human-induced greenhouse gas and aerosol emissions influence rainfall in the United States.
Air Pollution Linked to More Signs of Alzheimer’s in Brain
People with higher exposure to traffic-related air pollution were more likely to have high amounts of amyloid plaques in their brains associated with Alzheimer’s disease after death, according to a study published in the February 21, 2024, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Highways through historically redlined areas likely cause air pollution disparities today
Historically “redlined” areas – neighborhoods with primarily Black or immigrant communities – are exposed to more air pollution than other urban neighborhoods. According to research published in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology, the cause could relate to nearby highways or industrial parks.
Diesel Exhaust May Harm Immune System, Trigger Inflammation
Exposure to diesel exhaust particles triggers higher levels of inflammation, especially during a respiratory infection.
Sensors made from ‘frozen smoke’ can detect toxic formaldehyde in homes and offices
Researchers have developed a sensor made from ‘frozen smoke’ that uses artificial intelligence techniques to detect formaldehyde in real time at concentrations as low as eight parts per billion, far beyond the sensitivity of most indoor air quality sensors.
GW Experts Available: EPA Strengthens Rule on Harmful Soot Pollution
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is strengthening limits on soot, a harmful air pollution in which studies have shown that fine particles kill thousands of Americans every year. According to The Washington Post, the stricter standards could prevent thousands of premature…
The use of biofuels may reduce black smoke emissions of cars by 90%
The UMA participates in an international study with the Future Power Systems Group of the University of Birmingham (UK) that investigates how to reduce pollutant emissions from vehicles without affecting engine performance.
Africa’s dangerous air pollution levels are a global problem, says new research
A new report in Nature Geoscience has brought to light the challenge of air pollution levels in Africa and why international action is needed to combat it.
UC Irvine-led study links long-term air pollution exposure to postpartum depression in SoCal
Irvine, Calif., Oct. 31, 2023 — Long-term maternal exposure to common air pollutants, both before and after childbirth, has been linked to increased risk of postpartum depression for mothers – with symptoms ranging from anxiety and irritability to suicide – and may lead to cognitive, emotional, psychological and behavioral impairments in their infants, according to research led by the University of California, Irvine.
‘Roving sentinels’ discover new air pollution sources
Google Street View cars equipped with instrumentation sampled air quality at a scale fine enough to capture variations within neighborhoods in the Salt Lake Valley. A new atmospheric modeling method, combined with these mobile observations, can be used to identify pollution emission sources in many cities.
Exposure to Air Pollution Linked to Increased Risk of Stroke Within 5 Days
Short-term exposure to air pollution may be linked to an increased risk of stroke, according to a meta-analysis published in the September 27, 2023, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Short-term exposure was defined as occurring within five days of the stroke.
World can now breathe easier
Global, population-weighted PM2.5 exposure — related to both pollution levels and population size — increased from 1998 to a peak in 2011, then decreased steadily from 2011 to 2019, largely driven by exposure reduction in China and slower growth in other regions, new research shows.
Lung Disease Physicians and Researchers Disappointed by Environmental Protection Agency’s Slow-Motion Action to Curb Smog Ozone Air Pollution
In response to the Aug 21 announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the agency will delay action on lowering the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone pollution, American Thoracic Society President M. Patricia Rivera, MD, ATSF, issued the following statement
Clever coating turns lampshades into indoor air purifiers
Indoor air pollution may have met its match. Scientists have designed lampshades that transform pollutants into harmless compounds. The catalyst-coated lampshades work with halogen and incandescent lamps, and LEDs will be next. The team will present their results at ACS Fall 2023.
Ammonia reduction should be prioritized in Europe’s fight against air pollution
A new study identified the reduction of ammonia emissions as a cost-effective measure to reduce concentrations of fine particulate matter concentrations in the atmosphere.
Paths for reducing harmful air pollution in South Asia identified
A new analysis of fine particulate matter exposure led by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis illuminates ways to improve health in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar
Dr. David Winter with Baylor Scott & White discusses the latest concerns about air quality in the US
David Winter, MD, at Baylor Scott & White Health, answers the most common patient questions and reacts to the latest medical research. How bad is the current air pollution in the northeastern U.S.? (SOT@ :14, TRT :42) Who is most…
How animals are affected by Canadian wildfire smoke: University of Illinois expert available
URBANA, Ill. — Livestock and pets may be at risk due to poor air quality from Canadian wildfire smoke, according to animal welfare expert Angela Green-Miller at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Green-Miller is an associate professor in the Department…
The Air Pollution Complex: improved air pollution understanding in China
Air pollution in China is generated from many sources and interacts chemically and physically within the atmosphere in ways that can be difficult to predict.
Air Quality from Wildfires Also Bad for the Brain, Expert Says
“Air pollution is a major public health issue that has been related to a variety of ailments such as asthma, lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke,” says Domenico Praticò, M.D., Professor and Director of the Alzheimer’s Center at Temple. “We…
UC Irvine study shows traffic-related air pollution in Irvine weakens brain function
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine have found that exposure to traffic-related air pollution in Irvine led to memory loss and cognitive decline and triggered neurological pathways associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Air pollution worsens movement disorder after stroke
Air pollution has been shown to have a negative effect on the prognosis of ischemic stroke, or stroke caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, but the exact mechanism is unknown. A team of researchers recently conducted a study to determine whether or not increased inflammation of the brain, also known as neuroinflammation, is the main culprit.
Conformer-Dependent Reactivity of Carbonyl Oxides Leads to Dramatically Different Atmospheric Fates
The air pollutant secondary organic aerosol (SOA) forms when ammonia and amines react with oxygenated species. When ammonia is present when alkenes react with ozone, SOA increases in size and numbers. This may be due to Criegee intermediates. New research found that a particular amine, dimethylamine, reacts 34,000 times faster with one version of the Criegee intermediate acetaldehyde oxide than with another version of the same compound.
Air Pollution May Increase Risk of Dementia, Complicated by Genetics
UC San Diego researchers describe how exposure to ambient air pollution, such as car exhaust and power plant emissions — is associated with a measurably greater risk of developing dementia over time.
More than 5,000 tons of toxic chemicals released from consumer products every year inside homes and workplaces
People often assume that the products they use every day are safe. Now a new study by Silent Spring Institute and University of California, Berkeley exposes how much people come into contact with toxic ingredients in products, used at home and at work, that could harm their health.
Air pollution exposure associated with increased risk of irregular heartbeat: Large study
Does air pollution affect your heart? Acute exposure to air pollution was found to be associated with an increased risk of arrythmia — irregular heartbeat — in a large study of 322 Chinese cities published in CMAJ
Scientists develop pioneering artificial intelligence method to fight urban air pollution
99% of the world’s population breathes air that exceeds the limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). This scenario is exacerbated in urban areas where more than 50% of the world’s population is concentrated.
Agricultural waste, converted into material that cleans air
Air pollution and its high concentration in cities is one of the problems facing society today, due to its harmful effects on the environment, but also on human health. One of the causes of this pollution is the increase in nitrogen oxide emissions, mainly due to the use of fossil fuels.
The hidden culprit behind nitrogen dioxide emissions
Nitrogen dioxide is one of the criteria air pollutants that plays an important role as a precursor gas of fine particulate matter and ozone. NO2 emissions are known to be primarily generated by industrial facilities or vehicle exhausts.
Air pollution is linked to lower COVID-19 vaccine responses
People exposed to higher levels of air pollution before the pandemic had lower antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccines, according to a study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), an institution supported by “la Caixa” Foundation, in collaboration with the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP).
NASA Media Call on Upcoming Air Quality Satellite Launch
Media are invited to participate in a teleconference discussing the upcoming launch of TEMPO on Tuesday, April 5. TEMPO will soon provide the first-ever hourly scans of air pollution over greater North America.
Air pollution speeds bone loss from osteoporosis: Large study
Elevated levels of air pollutants are associated with bone damage among postmenopausal women, according to new research led by scientists at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The effects were most evident on the lumbar spine, with nitrous oxides twice as damaging to the area than seen with normal aging.
Fine particles in the air associated with higher blood pressure in London teens
A study of adolescents aged 11-16 in London has found long-term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with higher blood pressure, with stronger associations seen in girls.