Articles tagged with "air-quality"
Get Rid of Dieselgate Cars, Organizations Say - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica marks the 10-year anniversary of the Dieselgate scandal, where millions of diesel cars were found to have cheated emissions tests, emitting pollution far above legal limits. Despite the scandal's exposure a decade ago, many of these high-polluting vehicles remain on European roads, continuing to contribute significantly to air pollution and public health issues. A coalition of organizations—including Transport & Environment (T&E), UNEP, ETSC, CMC, and OPUS RSE—is urging European lawmakers to revise vehicle regulations to systematically identify and remove these cars. Their proposals include real-world emissions testing, annual inspections for older vehicles, mandatory repairs or scrappage funded by manufacturers, and stronger safety checks. The coalition also highlights the ongoing human toll, estimating that Dieselgate-related pollution has caused 124,000 premature deaths so far, with 81,000 more projected. They criticize Europe for lagging behind the U.S., where Volkswagen was forced to buy back or fix affected vehicles.
energyemissionsdieselgatevehicle-pollutionair-qualityenvironmental-policyautomotive-regulationsDust Storms From Great Salt Lake Roll Into Towns, Bringing Hazardous Chemicals - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the environmental and public health hazards posed by dust storms originating from the exposed lake bed of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Once submerged under 16 feet of water, the lake bed has become a source of toxic dust storms due to record low water levels caused by drought, water diversion, and heat. These dust storms carry heavy metals such as arsenic and other carcinogenic substances embedded in the sediment, which can enter the human body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Exposure to these metals is linked to serious health issues including respiratory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular problems, infertility, and nervous system disorders. The Great Salt Lake, a terminal lake with no outlet, accumulates industrial, urban, mining, and agricultural pollutants from a population exceeding two million people. The lake’s shrinking surface area has exposed over 120 square miles of lake bed, increasing the frequency and intensity of dust events. While air quality monitors exist in nearby counties, they do not analyze the specific composition of the
energyenvironmental-pollutionheavy-metalstoxic-dust-stormsGreat-Salt-Lakeair-qualityindustrial-contaminationThe Human Health Risk Of Breathing Carbon Dioxide - CleanTechnica
The article critiques recent claims attributed to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) promotes plant growth and benefits agriculture and ocean chemistry. The author strongly disputes this optimistic view, arguing that increasing CO2 levels pose significant health risks to humans and ecosystems. The piece condemns current U.S. leadership for prioritizing fossil fuel profits over environmental and public health, accusing them of ignoring the dangers of elevated CO2 concentrations. Supporting this stance, the article references a scientific study by Ugo Bardi and colleagues titled “Carbon dioxide as a pollutant: the risks on human health and the stability of the biosphere.” This research highlights that while CO2 contributes to global warming, it also chemically affects biological systems, increasing ocean acidity and harming marine life. Importantly, elevated CO2 negatively impacts human health, especially in enclosed environments where concentrations can rise to dangerous levels, as exemplified by the Apollo 13 mission’s life-threatening CO2 buildup. The article warns
energycarbon-dioxideenvironmental-protectionair-qualityhuman-health-risksclimate-changefossil-fuelsYou may be inhaling 68,000 microplastics a day inside your home
A recent study by French scientists reveals that people may be inhaling up to 68,000 microplastic particles daily inside their homes and cars, far exceeding previous estimates. Using advanced Raman spectroscopy, researchers detected plastic particles predominantly smaller than 10 micrometers—tiny enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and potentially enter the bloodstream. These microplastics originate from the degradation of common household items such as carpets, curtains, paint, textiles, and especially car interiors, which contain numerous plastic-based materials that shed particles due to heat, friction, and sunlight exposure. The study highlights a significant but overlooked source of microplastic pollution: indoor air, where people spend about 90% of their time. Unlike prior research focused on oceans or outdoor environments, this work emphasizes the intimate exposure risks within everyday living spaces. The health implications are concerning, as inhaled microplastics may cause respiratory inflammation and carry toxic additives like bisphenol A and phthalates, which are linked to various health problems including endocrine
materialsmicroplasticsindoor-air-pollutionplastic-pollutionhealth-risksenvironmental-scienceair-qualityAir quality tests around xAI’s Memphis data center raise questions
Elon Musk’s xAI data center in Memphis, powered by natural gas turbines, has sparked concerns among local residents about potential air pollution. In response, the City of Memphis conducted air quality tests at three locations near the facility—downtown Memphis, Whitehaven, and Boxtown—on June 13 and 16. The results, released by the city, indicated that levels of the ten pollutants tested were not dangerous. However, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), representing the NAACP, criticized the testing for omitting ozone (smog), a significant pollutant, and for methodological issues such as placing monitors directly against buildings, which could affect accuracy. The testing was limited in scope and duration, with sampling equipment running for 10 to 13 hours on days when wind patterns were unlikely to carry pollutants from the data center to the test sites. Formaldehyde was detected downtown but remained within urban norms. The SELC's concerns highlight potential gaps in the testing approach, particularly
energydata-centernatural-gas-turbinesair-qualitypollutionenvironmental-monitoringozoneNREL Partners With Chilkat Indian Village To Improve Housing in Klukwan, Alaska
energyrenewable-energyhousing-improvementcarbon-monoxide-safetyair-qualityNRELcommunity-developmentEvoLectric Repowers Medium-Duty Trucks To Keep Costs Down & Air Quality Up
electric-vehiclesfleet-managementrepoweringbattery-technologysustainable-transportationair-qualitycost-effective-solutions