Pollution
Ocean Oil Slick Map Reveals Enough Greasy Patches to Cover France—Twice
An algorithm-aided analysis of satellite images reveals the size, distribution and sources of oil slicks at sea
Pollution89 articles archived since 1845
Pollution
Pesticides Are Spreading Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals,’ Scientists Warn
Common chemicals sprayed on many crops each year are cloaked in bureaucratic uncertainties
Pollution
The EPA Plans to Rein in Truck Pollution to Ease Asthma, but It May Not Go Far Enough
Scientists say the agency’s analyses do not capture the full extent of how bad exhaust is for segments of the population
Public Health
We Need to Improve Indoor Air Quality: Here’s How and Why
Upgrading buildings’ ventilation, filtration and other factors would not only decrease COVID transmission but also improve health and cognitive performance in general
Pollution
U.S. Emissions Rise 4 Percent as Drivers Log a Record Number of Miles
Drivers tallied 753 billion miles in the first three months of the year, the highest total on record
Pollution
New, Stronger Rules for Truck Pollution Still Would Not Meet Air Quality Goals
Heavy-duty trucks are the largest mobile source of a key precursor to dangerous ozone and particulate matter
Pollution
Living with Lead Creates Antibiotic-Resistant ‘Superbugs’
People are infected by bacteria that, after contacting heavy metals, develop drug-resistant traits
Pollution
Declines in Air Pollution Have Made Hurricanes Stronger
Without the cooling effect of aerosols, warmer oceans have provided more fuel to storms
Pollution
Toxic Algae Plagued Ancient Maya Civilization
Toxic algae blooms found could have helped destabilize society
Pollution
Western Wildfires Reverse U.S. Clean Air Gains
A “new peak of air pollution” every August exposes as many as 130 million people to harmful chemicals
Pollution
The U.S. Must Take Responsibility for Nuclear Fallout in the Marshall Islands
Congress needs to fund independent research on radioactive contamination and how to clean it up
Fossil Fuels
What the EPA’s New Plans for Regulating Power Plants Mean for Carbon
Administrator Michael Regan argues regulation of mercury, ozone, water and coal ash will also curb greenhouse gases
Pollution
Military Action in Chernobyl Could Be Dangerous for People and the Environment
Vehicles can kick up radioactive dust, and fighting risks igniting a wildfire in the exclusion zone
Pollution
Tons of COVID Medical Garbage Threaten Health
Burning piles of used gloves, test kits and syringes release toxic pollutants. But there are ways to improve medical recycling
Pollution
Countries Pave the Way to End Plastic Pollution
The U.N. passed a resolution yesterday to develop a global treaty to control plastic waste
Pollution
How Hong Kong ‘Sees’ Invisible Tailpipe Emissions and Pulls Polluters Off the Road
The city has deployed a system of sensors to flag highly polluting vehicles. Nearly all of them have been repaired, helping to clean Hong Kong’s air.
Oceans
We Need a Global Plastics Treaty to Stop an Environmental Disaster
Truly global participation in the process will create more than just a Paris Agreement for plastics
Fossil Fuels
EPA Is Preparing to Reinstate California’s Authority to Set More Stringent Car Emissions Rules
The move would reverberate around the country because more than a dozen other states follow California’s regulations
Pollution
How to Destroy ‘Forever Chemicals’
Health-damaging PFASs are nearly impossible to break down—but a new hot-water technique can destroy them
Pollution
Protecting People from Deadly Shellfish
Indigenous communities along Alaska’s coast are developing scientific networks to test shellfish for toxins because the state is not doing so
