Air Pollution
Q&A: Despite EPA’s delay, ‘the clock is ticking’ on finalizing ozone standards
On Aug. 21, the EPA publicized that it will be conducting a new review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone, meaning the current outdated national limit on this pollution may be in place until as late as December 2025.
Air pollution associated with higher rates of dementia, poor health
Greater residential levels of fine particulate matter air pollution, especially from agriculture and wildfires, were linked to higher rates of dementia, according to study results published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Air pollutants linked to heightened risk for pulmonary hypertension, death
Individuals exposed to some ambient air pollutants faced heightened risks for both diagnosis and death of pulmonary hypertension, according to results published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.
Q&A: How patients with lung diseases can beat extreme heat
With temperatures rising and heatwaves occurring across the U.S., this summer season has the potential to seriously harm patients with asthma, COPD and other lung conditions.
Premature CV death from air pollution declines while years living with disability rises
An analysis of the Global Burden of Disease study showed that despite decreasing rates of CV death attributable to air pollution, the number of years living with disability increased from 1990 to 2019, especially among men.
Lack of green space may be linked to high BP in people with type 1 diabetes
HOUSTON —People with type 1 diabetes who lived in areas with little green space were more likely to have high blood pressure, but odds were lower for those exposed to more air pollution, according to study data.
Coal processing plant closure tied to drop in heart-related emergency department visits
A reduction in air pollution that followed the closure of a coal-coking plant in Pittsburgh was associated with a sharp decline in ED visits for CV-related causes in short- and long-term analyses, researchers reported.
Q&A: Climate change presents special concerns for people with diabetes
Climate change and air pollution may be having a substantial influence on adverse outcomes and mortality for people living with diabetes.
Neighborhood mobility, air pollution levels impact COVID-19 hospitalization risk
Individuals with COVID-19 living in neighborhoods with high walkability and bikeability and less air pollution experienced fewer hospitalizations vs. areas with low mobility and more pollution, according to results published in PLoS ONE.
Excess heart attack mortality occurs during heat waves, days of poor air quality in China
Researchers in China estimated that nearly 3% of all MI deaths in Jiangsu province during a 5-year period could be attributed to a combination of extreme temperature exposure and poor air quality.