Category Archives: Air Quality

Air pollution: Research links black carbon to increased cancer risk

Long-term exposure to black carbon, a constituent of fine particle air pollution, could increase lung cancer risk by 30%, according to researchers in France. Could stepping out for a breath of fresh air come with its own health risks? Research … Continue reading

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Urban and transport planning linked to 2,000 premature deaths per year in Barcelona and Madrid

Failure to comply with international exposure recommendations for air pollution, noise, heat and access to green space is associated with more than 1,000 deaths per year in Barcelona and more than 900 in Madrid, accounting for 7% and 3% of … Continue reading

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California’s Tougher Diesel Emissions Rules Cut Related Deaths in Half: Study

California’s strict limits on diesel air pollution appear to have paid off. Since the limits were added in 1990, diesel exhaust-related deaths have been halved, with the largest reductions in deaths seen in lower-income communities, a new study finds. By … Continue reading

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Air pollution and physical exercise: when to do more or less

Physical activity is important in preventing heart and blood vessel disease in young people so long as they don’t undertake very strenuous activity on days when air pollution levels are high, according to a nationwide study of nearly 1.5 million … Continue reading

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Sandstorms turn sun blue and sky yellow in Beijing

Thick dust carrying extremely high levels of hazardous particles blows in from drought-hit Mongolia The second sandstorm to hit China in less than a fortnight has reversed the colours of the sky, turning the sun blue and the heavens yellow. … Continue reading

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Lockdown did not reduce air pollution from tyre wear in London

Less traffic meant less congestion, but the remaining vehicles went faster I asked William Hicks how he felt when lockdown suddenly happened in the middle of his year-long air pollution investigation. “Excited,” he replied. Not the answer that I expected. … Continue reading

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Health Risks Linked to Air Pollution at Levels Below WHO Targets

Hazy air days often followed by uptick in cardiovascular, respiratory deaths A short-term rise in nitrogen dioxide air pollution could be tied to a bump in local mortality rates the next day, researchers showed in a large international study. Across … Continue reading

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Wildfire Smoke More Dangerous for Your Lungs Than Other Pollution

Key Takeaways High concentrations of fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke drove an increase of up to 10% in hospital admissions for respiratory issues, a new study finds. While other sources of pollution seem to be declining, wildfire smoke pollution … Continue reading

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