Newswise Feature Channel: Pollution

Green warriors: plants on the frontline against microplastics

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 11:05:13 EST

In an innovative ecological article, researchers have unveiled the potential of phytoremediation to curb microplastic pollution. This approach leverages natural plant processes to absorb and diminish micro and nanoplastics, offering a viable solution for managing environmental plastic pollution.

Scientists Characterize Shale Cap Rocks at Tiny Scales

Department of Energy, Office of Science — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 14:05:14 EST

Shale has complex chemical and physical characteristics that make fluid flow through rock extremely complex and difficult to both measure and model. Researchers are now building new tools to examine, characterize, and simulate shale, especially shale cap rock.

Wildfires in the U.S. and Canada Remind Us That Health Impacts Defy Borders

American Thoracic Society (ATS) — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 11:05:52 EST

Wildfire season is upon us and again communities in some parts of the U.S. and Canada are battling devastating fires that threaten the health of everyone, especially individuals with lung disease. According to the National Interagency fire Center, as of this morning, 75 large wildfires are being managed nationwide.

Rising mercury pollution in soil could be related to climate change, study says

American Chemical Society (ACS) — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 08:00:00 EST

A study published in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology estimates that soil stores substantially more mercury than previously thought, and it predicts that increases in plant growth due to climate change may add even more.

Business crucial to addressing toxic pollution and protecting human health

University of Notre Dame — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 12:05:03 EST

Toxic pollution is the single largest cause of death and poor health, killing up to 9 million people each year -- about 100 times more than war and terrorism combined.

Urban Future Lab announces finalists for 2024 Urban Future Prize Competition

NYU Tandon School of Engineering — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 11:00:09 EST

NYU Tandon School of Engineering's Urban Future Lab has selected nine startup companies from 317 applications to compete for its two flagship awards at this year's Urban Future Summit in October. The finalists will pitch their businesses to a panel of judges, who will award one winner each in the Future Resilience Prize and the Future Solutions Prize tracks.

Ships Now Spew Less Sulfur, but Warming Has Sped Up

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 19:05:10 EST

New findings document fewer ship tracks, reduced cloud cover, and boosted warming after ship emissions regulations took effect in 2020.

Small chemical change may reap big climate reward

Oak Ridge National Laboratory — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 11:50:33 EST

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have demonstrated that small molecular tweaks to surfaces can improve absorption technology for direct air capture, or DAC, of carbon dioxide.

After the flames: fighting the health effects of forest fires

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 09:00:05 EST

Autonomie express simulates real-world vehicle traffic to predict large-scale energy impact

Argonne National Laboratory — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 12:05:53 EST

Autonomie Express is designed to help transport and mobility companies, researchers, city planners and others estimate their vehicles' impact on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Exposure to Wildfire Smoke May Affect Patients Undergoing Surgery

American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 10:00:00 EST

Nearly 100 wildfires are currently raging throughout the country, burning more than 2 million acres.

Sizing up microplastics: nanofiltration uncovers environmental bioactivity

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 09:05:14 EST

A new study reveals the bioactivity of microplastics in Lake Ontario using cutting-edge nanomembrane filtering technology. Researchers found all samples contained microplastics ranging between 8 and 20 (micro)m. The study highlights varying bioactivity levels, such as aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activity and IL-6 levels, indicating potential health risks.

Decoding contaminant mobility: transient flows and e-waste pollution dynamics

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 08:05:48 EST

Changing weather patterns, like dry-wet and freeze-thaw cycles, significantly impact the release of harmful chemicals known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from soils at e-waste recycling sites. Tiny soil particles, called colloids, play a crucial role in moving these pollutants.

Born to Modulate: Researchers Reveal Origins of Climate-Controlling Particles

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 20:05:08 EST

Aerosol particles imbue climate models with uncertainty. New work by PNNL researchers reveals where in the world and under what conditions new particles are born.

Earth is Having a Record Hot Streak. SMU Experts Can Talk About How to Adapt.

Southern Methodist University — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 10:05:38 EST

Downwind states face disproportionate burden of air pollution

University of Notre Dame — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 14:05:18 EST

A recent Supreme Court decision to block a federal rule curbing interstate air pollution further complicates efforts to reduce emissions and adds to an already disproportionate burden on "downwind" states, according to researchers at the University of Notre Dame. "Toxic air pollution is really not as well known by the general public as you would hope, given its impact on human health," said Paola Crippa, assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences.

UAlbany Study Examines Impact of Exposure to Ultrafine Particles on Mortality in New York

University at Albany, State University of New York — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 14:10:20 EST

A new study has found a link between long-term UFP exposure and increases in mortality in New York, especially among underserved populations.

Park Wildfire and Others Trigger Evacuations, Pose Health Risks

George Washington University — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 14:05:00 EST

Wash U researchers quantify solar absorption by black carbon in fire clouds

Washington University in St. Louis — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 09:05:29 EST

Aerosol scientists at Washington University in St. Louis quantify the extent of light absorption by black carbon in fire clouds to better model climate impacts of extreme wildfire events.

Warehousing Industry Increases Health-Harming Pollutants

George Washington University — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 12:00:54 EST

First of a kind study shows an average 20% spike of nitrogen dioxide polluting the air for communities located near huge warehouses; people of color harder hit ...