News
Re-entering rocket left trail of lithium pollution in upper atmosphere
1+ week, 18+ hour ago (470+ words) New research has found that when a Falcon 9 rocket stage burned up over Europe last year, it left a plume of lithium pollution in the upper atmosphere " the first time scientists have directly measured the chemical footprint of re-entering space…...
Air pollution in Delhi is even worse 100 metres up
2+ week, 17+ hour ago (333+ words) The worst of Delhi's toxic winter haze may not be at ground level " but 100 metres above it, according to a new study using drone-mounted sensors. The drones uncovered a startling vertical dimension to the city's air pollution crisis, with PM2.5 concentrations…...
An invisible chemical rain is falling across Earth
2+ week, 3+ day ago (402+ words) According to new research, chemicals once introduced to protect the ozone layer are now spreading a long-lasting pollutant across the planet, raising concerns about an environmental problem that may be impossible to reverse. The pollutant is trifluoroacetic acid, or TFA,…...
Pesticide residues in European soils is harming biodiversity
2+ week, 4+ day ago (370+ words) A new study" has revealed that pesticide residues are present in 70% of European soils, where they contribute towards soil biodiversity loss and disrupt critical ecosystem functions. The research, the first comprehensive continent-wide analysis of its kind, indicates that current pesticide…...
How rice waste has been turned into a powerful indoor air cleaner
2+ week, 4+ day ago (363+ words) Researchers have developed a novel, low-cost air purifying material from rice husk ash, a byproduct generated by burning the protective shells of rice grains at high temperatures. The composite can double the adsorption of formaldehyde gas, a volatile organic compound…...
Wildfires create illusion of progress on air pollution equality
3+ week, 1+ day ago (324+ words) The degree to which disadvantaged communities in California suffer poor air quality compared to their affluent neighbours has fallen, but not for the right reasons. Air quality in California has improved overall since the mid-2000s, but new research suggests that apparent…...
Air pollution sparks civil war inside ant colonies
3+ week, 3+ day ago (380+ words) Air pollution may be turning ants against their own families, according to new research which suggests that such pollution could break down insect societies. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology have discovered that ozone can interfere with…...
New Southall microforest project seeks volunteers this winter
4+ week, 9+ hour ago (388+ words) Ealing Council has teamed up with environmental charity Letting Grow to create London's newest microforest on wasteland in Glade Lane Canalside Park in Southall, London. They are inviting schools, businesses, ordinary Londoners and journalists to become Forest Makers by planting…...
Lockdowns exposed the real source of a ‘forever' chemical
4+ week, 11+ hour ago (521+ words) A new study from York University has found that levels of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)" fell sharply in Toronto's atmosphere during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering new insight into where the pollutant comes from. Professor Cora Young, an atmospheric chemist at York…...
Half of U.S. states export air pollution to neighbours
4+ week, 1+ day ago (428+ words) A new study has used an airshed approach to track how air pollution crosses state lines, revealing that over half of all U.S. states are net exporters of pollution-linked premature deaths, while around a third contribute zero net pollution to neighbouring…...