As cities face health threats from heat and air pollution—both expected to worsen from climate change—researchers pilot a community scientist effort to map air quality and improve urban health.
public health
Posted inNews
Hazardous Air Pollutants Found in Cooking Stove Gas
A Boston study revealed that natural gas piped into homes contained 21 toxins on the EPA’s hazardous air pollutant list.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Living near Fumigant-Using Farms Could Increase Cancer Risk
Analysis of data from 11 western U.S. states found higher cancer rates in people living in areas with elevated gas-based pest control.
Posted inNews
The Sun Bakes Wildfire Smoke, Changing Its Toxicity
A new study questions the narrative that dilution is the solution to pollution.
Posted inFeatures
Indoor Air Pollution in the Time of Coronavirus
How aerosol scientists spread the word on the airborne transmission of COVID-19–and what it means for cleaning our indoor air.
Posted inNews
Uranium Detected in Latinx Communities’ Water Systems
The unsafe contaminant levels could not be attributed to differences in regional geology, water source, or community size. Researchers suggest they are due to a failure of regulatory policy.
Posted inNews
Pharmaceuticals Found in Rivers on All Continents
A quarter of 258 observed rivers had unsafe levels of at least one drug. The findings raise concerns about Earth’s aquatic life and the global threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Road Salts Linked to High Sodium Levels in Tap Water
Use of deicing agents may sometimes raise sodium levels in drinking water beyond healthy limits for people on salt-restricted diets.
Posted inNews
Weighing the Benefits of Urban Greening
City communities may need to consider whether water absorption or cooling benefits are more important when designing urban greening.
Posted inNews
Exposure to Low Levels of Air Pollution Increases COVID-19 Risk
Although causality has yet to be established, an Italian case study found that an increase in annual average exposure to PM2.5 was associated with a jump in the rate of COVID-19.