When it rains, it pours … microplastics, that is. Researchers in Japan have discovered nine kinds of polymers and one rubber floating among the clouds — a worrying sign for the climate. Intrepid teams of scientists climbed Mount Fuji and Mount Oyama to collect water from the foggy mist that veils the mountain tops. Their … Read more
NEW YORK — On a recent Sunday afternoon, the divers arrived on a thin strip of sand at the furthest, watery edge of New York City. Air tanks strapped to their backs, they waded into the sea and descended into an environment far different from their usual terrestrial surroundings of concrete, traffic and trash-strewn sidewalks. … Read more
New research has shown that pregnant women exposed to air pollution give birth to smaller babies. Conversely, women living in greener areas have larger offspring — and environment health may help counteract the overall negative effects of pollution on pregnancy, the findings of a study conducted in Northern Europe suggest. “Our results suggest that pregnant … Read more
One ethos of Burning Man is to “leave no trace” on the grounds of Black Rock Desert. But too many of the 73,000 attendees this year did the opposite, locals say. “I’ve been hearing stories about the trash being left behind,” Athena LameBull, who lives on Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation, about 70 miles from the … Read more
This report may not be the breath of fresh air climate experts hoped. Air pollution reduces the average life expectancy globally by 2.3 years, making it the “greatest external threat to human life expectancy,” according to the annual Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report published Tuesday. Researchers from the Energy Policy Institute at the University … Read more
Orange you glad? The Canadian wildfire smoke that covered the NYC skyline with a toxic amber glow in June was no worse for your lungs than a bad pollen day, researchers at NYU Langone found. “Thankfully, the respiratory effects of the wildfire smoke in June were not much worse than what had been seen on … Read more
Certain groups of people may have twice the risk of dying from a heart attack during heat waves and high levels of fine particulate pollution, according to a new study published in Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association (AHA). Researchers analyzed the specifics of over 202,000 heart attacks that occurred in the Chinese province of … Read more
Don’t slice me up! The lawmaker responsible for passing the 2015 law requiring pollutant-spewing coal-and-wood-fired pizzerias to dramatically curb emissions said Mayor Eric Adams should enforce the controversial edict. That would be Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, who was then a councilman who authored the bill. “Tell the pizza lobby please don’t slice me up. … Read more
Croatia is one of the most picturesque destinations in Europe with the city of Dubrovnik attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. From the stunning coastline and islands, to the food and warmth of the people, it’s no surprise tourists flock to the city. But if you’re heading to the hotspot this summer, you … Read more
Don’t let them take our dough! A new alliance has formed to fight New York City’s edict targeting famous pizzerias that bake their pies in pollutant-spewing coal-and-wired-fired ovens. Lobbyist and self-described pizza fanatic Brad Gerstman said Wednesday he’s created the “New York City Pizza Alliance” with fellow lawyer Nina Marinaro and pie makers to block “a … Read more
Mayor Eric Adams gave a doughy defense of his administration’s controversial new edict targeting New York City’s iconic eateries that use pollutant-spewing coal-and-wood-fired baking methods — but left the oven door open for compromise. “Everyone likes pizza! You see that pie in front of you, you start to get happy,” said Adams, who faced the fire while … Read more
Take a deep breath for this one. New scientific evidence shows that even levels of air pollution thought to be safe can be detrimental to brain function, according to research from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. “On average, air pollution levels are fairly low in the U.S., but we’re still seeing … Read more
What a waste. A satellite image taken above Chile’s Atacama Desert captures ever-growing mountains of discarded clothes as the problem of fast fashion persists. The photo, shared last month by the satellite photo and video app SkyFi, highlights the result of the roughly 59,000 tons of used and unsold clothing that arrive at Chile’s Iquique … Read more
Before last Wednesday, Lizzie Stoldt, a 27-year-old Manhattan publicist, had barely given a thought to New York City’s air quality. “I had heart surgery when I was younger, and even I had no idea air quality was something I should be concerned with,” she said. But as the skies turned smoky over the Big Apple … Read more
It’s not about the destination, it’s the climb — to the dumpster, that is. Last week, a mountaineer named Mingma Tenzi Sherpa scaled Mount Everest for the ninth time — but instead of appreciating the beautiful view, he found himself filled with revulsion for what he saw around him. As he climbed to the summit … Read more
Houseplants are a classic decorating tool, but leafy indoor greenery might also be good for you. The health benefits of plants, some scientists say, can include removing toxins such as benzene — a volatile organic compound in gasoline that’s known to cause cancer — from indoor air. And with air quality — especially in the … Read more
“You make it, you recycle it” — a new survey found half of Americans claim major companies need to be accountable for climate action. A poll of 2,000 US adults revealed 48% think corporations should be held more responsible for the waste their products generate. Likewise, 63% believe it’s important for companies to have a … Read more
This isn’t exactly a breath of fresh air. Air pollution can cause lung cancer without mutating cells, a new study found. Published Wednesday in the journal Nature, the study analyzed the presence of lung cancer in non-smokers, using mice as test subjects. The researchers found that, instead of causing mutations, the exposure to pollution resulted … Read more
Call it concerning carcinogen cartography. An alarming new map shows the global scope of certain cancer-causing forever chemicals, which may be harming over 330 species of animals worldwide. The unsettling analysis was published Wednesday by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Researchers pored over 100-plus recent peer-reviewed studies, which found these animals harbored 120 unique polyfluoroalkyl … Read more
Humans are evolving – but not exactly for the better. Additives, chemicals and other byproducts of manufacturing have pervaded our day-to-day — but how exactly they affect the human body is still being revealed nearly 50 years after the landmark Toxic Substances Control Act debuted. Recent research has shown that chemicals in the foods we … Read more