Scientists find that highly polluted counties in the United States will have a COVID-19 death rate 4.5 times higher than those with low pollution if they’re otherwise similar.
air pollution
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Santa Ana Winds and Wildfires Influence Air Pollution
Inhaling particulate matter is hard on human health. New research shows that Southern California’s Santa Ana winds can clear or exacerbate fine-particulate pollution depending on wildfire conditions.
Posted inNews
Five Environmental Consequences of Australia’s Fires
Australia’s road to recovery may be long: Here’s a developing list of how the fires are affecting glaciers, wildlife, water supplies, and global carbon emissions.
Posted inNews
Pinpointing Emission Sources from Space
Satellite data combined with wind models bring scientists one step closer to being able to monitor air pollution from space.
Posted inNews
Some Communities Feel the Effects of Air Pollution More Than Others
A new study compares exposure to power plant emissions among communities based on race, income, and geography. Black Americans are most at risk.
Posted inNews
Road Dust: A Health Hazard Hidden in Plain Sight
Legacy heavy metals from past industrial activity combine with traffic paint; asphalt; and bits of tires, brakes, and car parts to create toxic dust on our roadways.
Posted inNews
Podcast: Night of the Killer Smog
In the latest episode of its Centennial series, AGU’s Third Pod from the Sun tells the story of two air quality disasters that served as catalysts for clean air regulations in the mid-20th century.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Fading Air Pollution Reduces Fog in Central Valley
The tule fog in California’s Central Valley is notorious for causing delays and accidents throughout the region; however, a decrease in air pollutants is reducing the fog’s frequency.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
A New Look at Winter Air Quality in the Northeastern U.S.
Past studies underestimated a major pollution source, particularly in rural areas.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Previous Research Has Underestimated Black Carbon Emissions
New observational constraints suggest that U.S. emissions of this heat-absorbing aerosol were 80% higher during the late 20th century than prior estimates have indicated.