Pollution
When coal smoke choked St. Louis, residents fought back − but it took time and money
When coal smoke choked St. Louis, residents fought back − but it took time and money St. Louis residents fought back against coal smoke pollution in 1939, which had become a chronic problem due to the widespread use of sulfur-rich coal for heat and power. The city’s mayor, Bernard Dickmann, created a commission to investigate […]
📰 News
Coal plants emitted more pollution during the last government shutdown, while regulators were furloughed
Coal plants emitted more pollution during the last government shutdown, while regulators were furloughed A study found that coal-fired power plants emitted more pollution during the 2018-2019 government shutdown, while regulators were furloughed. The analysis of six years’ worth of air quality data showed that particulate matter emissions increased by 15% to 20% during the […]
📰 News
Industrial facilities owned by profitable companies release more of their toxic waste into the environment
Industrial facilities owned by profitable companies release more of their toxic waste into the environment Industrial facilities owned by profitable companies tend to release more toxic waste into the environment than those owned by unprofitable companies, despite having fewer patents and employees. The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) database, maintained by the US Environmental Protection Agency, […]
📰 News
Air quality analysis reveals minimal changes after xAI data center opens in pollution-burdened Memphis neighborhood
Air quality analysis reveals minimal changes after xAI data center opens in pollution-burdened Memphis neighborhood Air quality analysis conducted by researchers at the University of Memphis found that the opening of an xAI data center in a pollution-burdened neighborhood in southwest Memphis, Tennessee, had minimal impact on air pollution levels. The study used computer modeling […]
📰 News
Industrial pollution once ravaged the Adirondacks − decades of history captured in lake mud track their slow recovery
Industrial pollution once ravaged the Adirondacks − decades of history captured in lake mud track their slow recovery A study by paleolimnologists found that lakes in the Northeast U.S., including those in the Adirondack Mountains, have recovered from industrial metal pollution since the Clean Air Act was enacted in 1963. The researchers extracted sediment cores […]
🔬 Science
Toxic algae blooms are lasting longer in Lake Erie − why that’s a worry for people and pets
Toxic algae blooms are lasting longer in Lake Erie − why that’s a worry for people and pets Harmful algal blooms are lasting longer in Lake Erie, posing health risks to people and pets. The blooms can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, fever, and skin irritation, and can be lethal for pets. The main source of […]
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Some plants create their own pesticide, but there’s a downside
Some plants create their own pesticide, but there’s a downside Scientists have discovered that some plants produce their own pesticide called isoprene, which can repel insects and make them less susceptible to pests. Isoprene production in plants is triggered by stress, such as heat or injury, and can also be activated by environmental changes like […]
🔬 Science
50 years later, Vietnam’s environment still bears the scars of war – and signals a dark future for Gaza and Ukraine
50 years later, Vietnam’s environment still bears the scars of war – and signals a dark future for Gaza and Ukraine The Vietnam War had devastating environmental consequences, including widespread deforestation, pollution, and contamination of soil and water. The US government initially denied responsibility for Agent Orange cleanup, but eventually agreed to remediate contaminated sites […]
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Kids exposed to higher ozone levels face higher asthma risk
Kids exposed to higher ozone levels face higher asthma risk Children exposed to higher ozone levels early in life are more likely to develop asthma, according to a new study. Asthma affects over 6% of US children, making it the most common chronic disease in kids nationwide, and air pollution is a major contributor to […]
🏥 Health
Stripping federal protection for clean water harms just about everyone, especially already vulnerable communities
Stripping federal protection for clean water harms just about everyone, especially already vulnerable communities Rollbacks to federal clean water protections will disproportionately harm already vulnerable communities, including those facing pollution and failing infrastructure. The Trump administration’s efforts to narrow federal water protections, pause water infrastructure investments, and retreat from environmental enforcement will have devastating consequences […]
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