Air Quality

Large pieces of plastic can break down into nanosized particles that often find their way into soil and water. Perhaps less well known is that they can also float in the air. It's unclear how nanoplastics impact human health, but animal studies suggest they're potentially harmful. Researchers have developed a sensor that detects these particles and determines the types, amounts and sizes of the plastics using colourful dot films.

Record hot temperatures in the UK over the summer caused significant changes to the levels of harmful pollutants such as ozone and particulate matter, prompting a number of novel observations by the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS).

Late August saw the release of “Air Quality and Health In Cities”, the latest edition of The State of Global Air report, produced annually by the US Health Effects Institute. It attempts a snapshot of air pollution exposure in over 7000 cities worldwide, and its impact on health. Standout findings this year include a clearer picture of PM2.5 and NO2 pollution, with fine particles seeming to be an affliction of the world's poorer regions especially, while NO2 is a problem for city dwellers everywhere.

A combination of record temperatures and dry weather in the UK this summer are causing "exceptionally high" levels of danger from extreme wildfires, according...

A new laser-induced graphene sensor system is being presented as a solution for accurate, continuous monitoring of nitrogen dioxide and other gases in humid...

2022 marked 10 years of innovation and leadership from AQMesh. To highlight the group’s experience, ongoing forward-thinking and its commitment to pushing the capabilities...

Residents of Belmont County in eastern Ohio had long suffered from headaches, fatigue, nausea and burning sensations in their throats and noses. They suspected these symptoms were the result of air pollution from fracking facilities that dominate the area and the subsequent investigation offers a powerful example of what can be achieved by citizen scientists.

A seemingly ground-breaking street-level, real-time air quality sensor network has launched in Camden, presented by air quality specialist AirScape as a bid "to fundamentally...

Researchers have measured the composition of fine dust at 22 locations in Europe, producing what they describe as a European map of the most...

Thursday, 16 June marks the release of findings from a UK pilot scoping study looking at development of an air pollution reporting system...

Usually, increasing agricultural productivity depends on adding something, such as fertilizer or water. A new Stanford University-led study seems to reveal that removing one...

Air quality specialist EarthSense released live ambient air pollution alerting capabilities to its MyAir® web application on 25 May, "enabling prompt action against thresholds...

AQ Mesh has been commercially available since 2012 and the firm says it the most proven and relied-upon small sensor system on the market.

A new study led by Imperial College London appears to find that drug-resistant mould is spreading from the environment and infecting susceptible people's lungs.

Long-term exposure to air pollution is linked to a heightened risk of autoimmune disease, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue and inflammatory bowel diseases, finds research published online in the open access journal RMD Open.

Instrument firm Oizom has launched an industrial-grade, single-parameter air quality monitor - AQBot - capable of measuring a range of gases in addition to particulate matter.

Seemingly at the leading edge of innovation in the field of air pollution and climate change mitigation are efforts to develop materials that can detect and trap pollutant gases. In some cases, captured molecules might also be stored and reused.

A new study appears to reveal rapid degradation in air quality in megacities in Africa, Asia and the Middle East - as well as...

A new study appears to reveal that tumble drying a load of laundry releases almost the same amount of potentially harmful microfibres into the...

Ordinary potted house plants can potentially make a significant contribution to reducing air pollution in homes and offices, according to new research led by...