http://www.physorg.com/ en-us Physorg.com internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. Infants who are exposed to higher levels of air pollution are at increased risk for bronchiolitis, according to a new study. http://www.physorg.com/news176702980.html Medicine & Health Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:40:01 EST news176702980 Heavy traffic corridors in the cities of Long Beach and Riverside are responsible for a significant proportion of preventable childhood asthma, and the true impact of air pollution and ship emissions on the disease has likely been underestimated, according to researchers at the University of Southern California (USC). http://www.physorg.com/news176581293.html Medicine & Health Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:10:01 EST news176581293 A new study compares neighborhoods' walkability (degree of ease for walking) with local levels of air pollution and finds that some neighborhoods might be good for walking, but have poor air quality. Researchers involved in the study include University of Minnesota faculty member Julian Marshall and University of British Columbia faculty Michael Brauer and Lawrence Frank. http://www.physorg.com/news176391148.html Medicine & Health Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:50:03 EST news176391148 Hong Kong air pollution has equalled a record high registered in 2000, triggering a warning for people with heart or respiratory illnesses, according to the Environmental Protection Department. http://www.physorg.com/news175584513.html Space & Earth Sat, 24 Oct 2009 07:20:02 EST news175584513 A new report from the National Research Council examines and, when possible, estimates "hidden" costs of energy production and use -- such as the damage air pollution imposes on human health -- that are not reflected in market prices of coal, oil, other energy sources, or the electricity and gasoline produced from them. The report estimates dollar values for several major components of these costs. The damages the committee was able to quantify were an estimated $120 billion in the U.S. in 2005, a number that reflects primarily health damages from air pollution associated with electricity generation and motor vehicle transportation. The figure does not include damages from climate change, harm to ecosystems, effects of some air pollutants such as mercury, and risks to national security, which the report examines but does not monetize. http://www.physorg.com/news175174465.html Space & Earth Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:50:02 EST news175174465 Scientists are reporting the first evidence that China's sharp focus on reducing widespread damage to soil by acid rain by restricting sulfur dioxide air pollution may have an unexpected consequence: Gains from that pollution control program will be largely offset by increases in nitrogen emissions, which the country's current policy largely overlooks. The study, which suggests that government officials adapt a more comprehensive pollution control strategy that includes a new emphasis on cutting nitrogen emissions, is scheduled for the Nov. 1 issue of ACS' Environmental Science & Technology. http://www.physorg.com/news174746733.html Space & Earth Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:10:01 EST news174746733 (PhysOrg.com) -- A new mobile air research laboratory will help a team of researchers led by a Michigan State University professor better understand the damaging health effects of air pollution and why certain airborne particles - emitted from plants and vehicles - induce disease and illness. http://www.physorg.com/news174151871.html Space & Earth Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:32:27 EST news174151871 Patients continue to enter home healthcare ''sicker and quicker," often with complex health problems that may require extensive nursing care. This increases the risk of needlestick injuries in home healthcare nurses. While very few studies have focused on the risks of home healthcare, it is the fastest growing healthcare sector in the U.S. In a recent study, led by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, the rate of needlestick-type injuries was 7.6 per 100 nurses. http://www.physorg.com/news174140058.html Medicine & Health Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:20:03 EST news174140058 A new study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) suggests that air pollution may trigger appendicitis in adults. http://www.physorg.com/news173966826.html Medicine & Health Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:20:02 EST news173966826 Pedestrians could reduce the amount of traffic pollution they breathe in simply by crossing the street, according to the latest research from the University of Leeds. http://www.physorg.com/news173963610.html Space & Earth Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:13:54 EST news173963610 (AP) -- Proposed regulations would require power plants, factories and refineries to reduce greenhouse gases by installing the best available technology and improving energy efficiency whenever a facility is significantly changed or built. http://www.physorg.com/news173593742.html Space & Earth Thu, 01 Oct 2009 06:00:01 EST news173593742 Women in Central Mexico who used a vented stove instead of the traditional indoor open fire, experienced improved respiratory health on par with a pack-a-day smoker kicking the habit, according to a recent study. http://www.physorg.com/news172909071.html Medicine & Health Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:40:01 EST news172909071 Ozone, the main component of air pollution, or smog, is a highly reactive, colorless gas formed when oxygen reacts with other chemicals. Although ozone pollution is most often associated with outdoor air, the gas also infiltrates indoor environments like homes and offices. Ozone can be released by ordinary copy machines, laser printers, ultraviolet lights, and some electrostatic air purification systems, all of which contribute to increased indoor ozone levels. Topping the extensive list of toxic effects of ozone on humans are pulmonary edema, hemorrhage, inflammation, and reduction of lung function. http://www.physorg.com/news171625287.html Space & Earth Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:41:55 EST news171625287 The five-story-tall engines on oceangoing vessels burn some of the dirtiest oil -- bottom-of-the-barrel bunker -- and churn out a substantial amount of the air pollution in American port cities, coastal communities along shipping lanes and places hundreds of miles inland. http://www.physorg.com/news171549911.html Space & Earth Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:06:30 EST news171549911 Air pollution in eastern China during the last 50 years has led to a reduction in the amount of light rainfall of almost a quarter. This is revealed by an international study conducted with support from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. There is a risk that the consequences will be increased drought, reduced harvests and poorer public health. http://www.physorg.com/news170924284.html Space & Earth Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:20:02 EST news170924284 Burning candles made from paraffin wax -- the most common kind used to infuse rooms with romantic ambiance, warmth, light, and fragrance -- is an unrecognized source of exposure to indoor air pollution, including the known human carcinogens, scientists reported here today. Levels can build up in closed rooms, and be reduced by ventilation, they indicated in a study presented at the 238th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). http://www.physorg.com/news169911551.html Space & Earth Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:50:01 EST news169911551 New research shows that air pollution in eastern China has reduced the amount of light rainfall over the past 50 years and decreased by 23 percent the number of days of light rain in the eastern half of the country. The results suggest that bad air quality might be affecting the country's ability to raise crops as well as contributing to health and environmental problems. http://www.physorg.com/news169474977.html Space & Earth Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:23:48 EST news169474977 (AP) -- Hawaii was chosen Tuesday as the site for the world's biggest telescope, a device so powerful that it will allow scientists to see some 13 billion light years away and get a glimpse into the early years of the universe. http://www.physorg.com/news167459977.html Space & Earth Wed, 22 Jul 2009 06:40:01 EST news167459977 (PhysOrg.com) -- Burning of fossil fuels pumps chemicals into the air that react on surfaces such as buildings and roads to create photochemical smog-forming chlorine atoms, UC Irvine scientists report in a new study. http://www.physorg.com/news167329080.html Space & Earth Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:21:22 EST news167329080 A mother's exposure to urban air pollutants known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can adversely affect a child's intelligence quotient or IQ, a study reports. PAHs are chemicals released into the air from the burning of coal, diesel, oil and gas, or other organic substances such as tobacco. In urban areas motor vehicles are a major source of PAHs. http://www.physorg.com/news167278462.html Medicine & Health Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:50:01 EST news167278462 Hot town, summer in the city. When it comes to air-quality advisories, city residents are no strangers, especially during the dog days of summer. But smog is made up of an array of air pollutants, including the mad hatter`s muse, mercury. One Ryerson University researcher has found that summer is the peak season for this atmospheric toxin, and that higher levels of mercury species exist in the urban atmosphere as compared to rural regions. http://www.physorg.com/news166886988.html Space & Earth Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:30:44 EST news166886988 Rising levels of smokestack emissions from oceangoing ships will cause an estimated 87,000 deaths worldwide each year by 2012 -- almost one-third higher than previously believed, according to the second major study on that topic. The study says that government action to reduce sulfur emissions from shipping fuel (the source of air pollution linked to an increased risk of illness and death) could reduce that toll. The study is in the current issue of ACS' Environmental Science & Technology. http://www.physorg.com/news166268131.html Space & Earth Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:35:54 EST news166268131 Scientists in China are recommending that the Chinese government consider phasing out the direct burning of traditional chunks of coal in millions of households. It suggests that the government substitute coal briquettes and improved stoves for cooking and heating to help reduce the country`s high air pollution levels. http://www.physorg.com/news164637295.html Space & Earth Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:40:01 EST news164637295 (PhysOrg.com) -- Particulate air pollution during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing constantly exceeded levels considered excessive by the World Health Organization, was far worse than other recent Olympic Games, and was about 30 percent higher than has been reported by Chinese environmental experts - even though some favorable weather conditions helped reduce the problem. http://www.physorg.com/news164636734.html Space & Earth Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:26:12 EST news164636734 Rice University scientists warned that the United States must be careful that the new emphasis on developing biofuels as an alternative to imported oil takes into account potential damage to the nation's water resources. http://www.physorg.com/news164283243.html Space & Earth Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:14:57 EST news164283243 Environmental health researchers from UCLA, the University of Southern California and the California Air Resources Board have found that during the hours before sunrise, freeway air pollution extends much further than previously thought. http://www.physorg.com/news163863019.html Space & Earth Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:30:50 EST news163863019 (AP) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was sued Friday by an environmental group that claims the agency has failed to safeguard public health in the West by not limiting the transmission of air pollution across state lines. http://www.physorg.com/news163474027.html Space & Earth Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:27:32 EST news163474027 Implementing measures to improve nutrition, indoor air pollution, immunization coverage and the management of pneumonia cases could be cost-effective and significantly reduce child mortality from pneumonia, according to a study led by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Researchers found that these strategies combined could reduce total child mortality by 17 percent and could reduce pneumonia deaths by more than 90 percent. http://www.physorg.com/news163077690.html Medicine & Health Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:22:01 EST news163077690 (PhysOrg.com) -- A Georgia State University researcher has found that the highest concentrations of summertime ozone -- a major air pollutant and respiratory health hazard - tended to occur in the southeastern part of metro Atlanta during the past eight years. http://www.physorg.com/news162567750.html Space & Earth Tue, 26 May 2009 14:43:55 EST news162567750 (AP) -- Sixty percent of Americans live in areas with unhealthy air pollution levels, despite a growing green movement and more stringent laws aimed at improving air quality, the American Lung Association said in a report released Wednesday. http://www.physorg.com/news160207575.html Space & Earth Wed, 29 Apr 2009 07:11:29 EST news160207575