Air pollution may contribute to Alzheimer’s and dementia risk – here's what we're learning from brain scans

The tiny air pollutants known as PM2.5, emitted by vehicles, factories and power plants, aren’t just a hazard for lungs. A study finds more brain shrinkage in older women exposed to pollution.

Jiu-Chiuan Chen, Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California • conversation
Jan. 5, 2021 • ~7 min

Wildfire smoke changes dramatically as it ages, and that matters for downwind air quality – here's what we learned flying through smoke plumes

Thousands of chemical compounds in wildfire smoke are interacting with each other and sunlight as the smoke travels. For people downwind, it can become more toxic over time.

Brett B. Palm, Postdoctoral Researcher in Atmospheric Chemistry, University of Washington • conversation
Dec. 17, 2020 • ~8 min

On environmental protection, Biden's election will mean a 180-degree turn from Trump policies

The Trump administration has used executive orders, deregulation and delays to reduce environmental regulation. Biden administration officials will use many of the same tools to undo their work.

Janet McCabe, Professor of Practice of Law, Indiana University • conversation
Nov. 12, 2020 • ~6 min

Studies link COVID-19 deaths to air pollution, raising questions about EPA's 'acceptable risk'

Air pollution can weaken people's respiratory, immune and cardiovascular systems, leaving them more vulnerable when they get COVID-19.

Michael Petroni, PhD Candidate and Research Fellow, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry • conversation
Oct. 30, 2020 • ~7 min

How smog leads to tons of plastic trash

When the air pollution gets particularly bad, office workers in China are more likely to order lunch delivery—millions of meals and tons of plastic waste.

National University of Singapore • futurity
Oct. 29, 2020 • ~8 min

Why lockdown had little to no effect on global temperatures

Some atmospheric pollutants actually help cool the planet, but the sudden shutdown of heavy industry threatened to purge them.

James Weber, PhD Candidate in Atmospheric Chemistry, Pembroke College, University of Cambridge • conversation
Oct. 22, 2020 • ~7 min

Drive-throughs are busier than ever during the pandemic – but they're hotspots for air pollution

Staff and customers with underlying health conditions are likely to be most at risk at drive-through windows.

Anitha Chinnaswamy, Assistant Professor of Environment and Computing, Coventry University • conversation
Oct. 16, 2020 • ~5 min

California wildfires pass 4 million acres burned, doubling previous record – that's a lot of toxic smoke

To understand the risks of wildfire smoke, it helps to understand the chemicals people are breathing.

Joshua S. Fu, John D. Tickle Professor of Engineering and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee • conversation
Oct. 2, 2020 • ~8 min

Current air pollution linked to more severe COVID-19

New research links air pollution levels in the US to more severe COVID-19 illness, but there are things national, state, and local government can do.

Jennifer Rainey Marquez-Georgia State • futurity
Oct. 2, 2020 • ~5 min

Wildfire smoke is laced with toxic chemicals – here's how they got there

To understand the risks of wildfire smoke, it helps to understand the chemicals people are breathing.

Joshua S. Fu, John D. Tickle Professor of Engineering and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee • conversation
Oct. 2, 2020 • ~8 min

/

15