Search

Showing results for “Pollution”

Jump to a topic

MicroplasticsMicroplastics, or MPs, are tiny plastic particles less than five millimeters long and have become one of Earth's most widespread pollutants. Like synthetic plastics, MPs are mostly made of long chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms, formed by linking byproducts of refining crude oil and natural gas. Other chemical additives may be incorporated to modify the final product’s properties. Primary MPs, such as microbeads, are intentionally manufactured to be small. Secondary MPs, such as those released while washing synthetic textiles, form from the breakdown of larger plastics and make up the bulk of MPs in the environment. As of 2024, the FDA claims there is insufficient evidence that MPs pose any human health risk, though initial biochemical studies have linked them to inflammation and hormone disruption.Explore Microplastics

Turbulence Environmental Protection Agency Coral Reefs Individual retirement accounts Tesla Bankruptcy Credit Unions Microchips

What we've found

Air pollution in war-torn Iran unleashes invisible toxic threatsBurning oil depots and bombed buildings are endangering the health of millions of people during the 2026 attacks. Heavy metals from munitions and other damaged materials are going airborne, but the exact health implications depends on dose, wind currents, and other factors including preexisting health conditions. The Conversation During emergencies, backup diesel generators in data centers emit substantial pollutionDuring power outages or when the power grid is at insufficient capacity, these generators emit 200 to 600 times more nitrogen oxides—a greenhouse gas—than natural gas plants, as well as fine particulate matter linked to respiratory disease. World Resources Institute What the research says about the link between lead pollution and crime The lead-crime hypothesis links childhood lead exposure to impulsivity and aggression as an adult, traits typically associated with higher crime risk. A 2022 meta-analysis found that reducing lead may explain up to 28% of the US homicide decline, but not the broader crime drop. Discover Magazine Tornadoes can cause significant air pollution and diminish air qualityAsbestos, a hazardous material that can cause lung cancer, is commonly found in buildings constructed before 1980. Tornadoes that damage such buildings can release asbestos into the air, along with other toxic pollutants and dust as materials are lifted. Individuals, particularly those with asthma or other chronic lung diseases, are encouraged to wear masks after a tornado. American Lung Association Pollution from lead battery recycling has led to widespread contaminationMany small-scale operations worldwide remain unregulated, bypassing environmental regulations and causing increasing health threats, primarily to children. A 2020 report by UNICEF found that one-third of the world's children are being poisoned by lead from recycled batteries, among other sources. Yale e360 The Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention regulates toxic substancesThis office evaluates and manages risks from industrial chemicals and pesticides. It reviews new chemicals before they enter the market, restricts hazardous substances, and promotes safer alternatives to protect human health and the environment. EPA The Clean Air Act became the cornerstone of modern air pollution controlPassed in 1970 and strengthened through multiple amendments, the Clean Air Act authorizes the EPA to set national air quality standards, regulate industrial and vehicle emissions, and reduce pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, and lead. EPA Noise pollution from humans and technology alters animal behaviorAnimals may experience chronic stress and health issues due to noise pollution, which often interferes with their mating sounds. Due to traffic, nightingales sing louder on weekday mornings, and birds near airports start singing earlier to avoid upticks in takeoffs and landings. Smithsonian Magazine Mermaid tears are a lasting and hazardous form of ocean plastic pollutionAlso known as nurdles, these tiny plastic pellets are extremely difficult to remove once spilled. Their chemical composition, which enhances absorption, causes them to contain higher concentrations of certain toxins than the surrounding environment. Newsweek Washing clothes is a significant source of global microfiber pollutionSynthetic fabrics shed millions of plastic microfibers during washing, which pass through wastewater treatment and end up in oceans, soil, and food chains. A single wash load can release several million microfibers, but washing with cold water can reduce this. The Conversation Microplastic pollution extends from Earth’s deepest oceans to its highest peakResearchers have found microplastic particles in snow samples taken from near the summit of Mount Everest. Microplastics have also been detected in the Mariana Trench, highlighting the widespread nature of this pollutant. The Guardian The food industry's hard-to-solve pollution One-quarter of the world's greenhouse gas emissions result from food and agriculture. That whopping number includes production and post-farm processes like distribution. See a visualization of the data along with a breakdown explaining how each process contributes to emissions, and why it’s so difficult to improve the agriculture industry. Our World in Data Light pollution is giving oysters insomniaOysters, bivalve mollusks that have light-detecting cells along their skin, can't sleep with all this artificial light. According to a 2022 study, oysters' sleep cycles are disturbed by light dimmer than that provided by the full moon. As with humans, it's possible that these bouts of insomnia could have adverse health effects and contribute to the development of disease over time. Hakai Magazine Explore the UN’s interactive guide to global plastic pollutionAround the world, 1 million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute, while 500 billion single-use plastic bags are used worldwide every year. In total, half of all plastic produced is designed to be used only once—and then thrown away. UN Environment Programme How existing technology could prevent nearly 80% of plastic pollutionMore than 28 million tons of plastic enters the environment each year, where it harms animals and damages habitats. A study co-authored by researchers at The Pew Charitable Trusts found that this flow can be reduced by nearly 80% in the next 20 years using existing waste management and recycling technology. The Pew Charitable Trusts From soil to beer, microplastic pollution is all around usMarine plastic pollution has been studied for decades, but the extent and effects of plastic pollution elsewhere is only just beginning to be explored. CNN Using AI to track plastic pollution in real timeExplore Global Plastic Watch, the first-ever, near-real-time, high-resolution map of plastic pollution. Global Plastic Watch uses advanced satellite data technology and machine learning to measure piles of plastic waste from space. Global Plastic Watch Auroras take place all day long, but are too faint to see during the dayBecause the sun constantly emits charged particles into the solar system, Earth's magnetic field deflects them continuously, with a small subset becoming trapped and colliding with atmospheric gases. Daylight, light pollution, and weather prevent the northern and southern lights from being seen most of the time, even for those at higher latitudes. NOAA Rapid environmental changes are exacerbating natural extinction processesHuman activities behind climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, and overhunting have resulted in extinction rates up to 1,000 times greater than normal, triggering massive biodiversity loss. This has led scientists to refer to the current geological age as the Anthropocene era, in which humans are the dominant force shaping nature. Stuff You Should Know Fracking rates may increase with the construction of new data centersIn Pennsylvania, plans to build at least five new facilities supported by gas-fired power plants are expected to escalate public health risks through surges in air and water pollution. Data center water demands are expected to further strain local resources. Yale E360 The Office of Water protects the nation's rivers, lakes and drinking suppliesThe office develops national standards for safe drinking water, regulates wastewater treatment, and enforces the Clean Water Act. It partners with states and tribes to monitor pollution, protect wetlands, and restore aquatic ecosystems across the United States. EPA Los Angeles once suffered some of the worst smog on EarthFrom the 1940s through the 1960s, Los Angeles was blanketed by dense, eye-burning smog so severe that drivers sometimes couldn't see traffic lights. The issue led to the nation's first local air pollution controls and inspired the passage of the 1970 Clean Air Act. American Experience | PBS The Office of Air and Radiation oversees America's clean air and climate programsThe office develops and enforces national standards for air quality, vehicle emissions, and radiation protection. In 2025, the EPA announced the closure of two key divisions under the office responsible for regulating climate and air pollution: the Office of Atmospheric Protection and the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. EPA Corporate messaging has long promoted personal responsibility for cleanup of wasteAntilitter ads, such as the famous "Crying Indian" campaign, were funded by packaging companies to shift blame for pollution away from industry and distract from industrial waste. Much of it began after World War II, when reusable systems were replaced with disposable packaging to boost consumption. Throughline The EPA works directly with Indigenous nations to protect native landsThrough the National EPA-Tribal Science Council, the agency works directly with federally recognized tribes, supporting air and water monitoring, pollution cleanup, and environmental restoration. Special grant programs also exist to enable tribes to develop their own environmental programs and enhance their technical capacity. EPA The EPA partners with other countries to strengthen environmental protectionThrough bilateral programs on every continent, the EPA shares American environmental expertise with developing nations and economies in transition. These partnerships support air and water protection, chemical safety, and pollution control, while advancing US environmental priorities abroad. EPA Climate change skepticism and business interests politicized environmental protectionThe EPA was created under a Republican administration with bipartisan support in response to overwhelming public demand during a time of visible pollution and environmental crises. Beginning with President Reagan, the agency was recast as burdensome, and environmental regulations have been gradually rolled back. On The Media The Clean Water Act became the national standard for protecting American watersEnacted in 1972, the Clean Water Act grants the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to regulate pollutant discharges, establish water quality standards, and oversee water pollution controls. Its scope has narrowed due to recent Supreme Court rulings. RiverNetwork The environmental crises of the late 1960s led to the founding of the EPADisasters such as the Cuyahoga River fire and the Santa Barbara oil spill prompted Congress and President Nixon to establish the Environmental Protection Agency in December 1970, with the goal of unifying federal efforts to control pollution. ABC News (Australia)After swallowing 23 pieces of plastic, seabirds experience a 90% death rateResearchers found that this threshold is also met when marine mammals ingest 29 pieces and when sea turtles consume approximately 405 pieces. Almost half of the sea turtles, a third of the seabirds, and one in ten of the marine mammals studied had eaten plastic. BBC News Create digital maps of Earth with custom sketches and labelsIn this interactive, users can apply layers to various base maps to display natural and human features, including geological activity, biomes, ocean currents, population densities, and light pollution. Custom legends, markers, and drawings can be used to highlight prominent features. ArcGIS Bees are crucial for pollination and food securityWhen animals and insects pick up the pollen of flowers and spread it, they allow plants, including many food crops, to reproduce. The most common pollinator is the bee, but bees are at risk from pollution and pesticides. UNEP Fireflies light up to provide mating signals and warnings to predatorsVariations in the illumination patterns and flight paths while emitting light have been observed across firefly species. Some species instead rely on pheromones if they are primarily active during the day or have lost the ability to illuminate. Science Friday The ginkgo tree is a living fossil that has not changed in over 200 million yearsHaving outlived the dinosaurs, the tree has no living relatives as the only surviving species of the genus Ginkgo. Its growth in undisturbed environments, pollution resistance, and foul-smelling seeds may have contributed to its survivability. Yale E360 Explore the Earth at night from spaceSee the planet in all its luminosity with this NightEarth app, an interactive spherical globe showing real satellite imagery of Earth. Toggle between views of real-time clouds, aurora borealis activity, and more. NightEarth The carbon footprint of manufacturing a wind turbine is offset within seven monthsDespite initial carbon emissions during manufacturing, wind turbines generate nearly zero pollution across their 20- to 25-year lifetimes. Offsets occur when turbines replace energy generation from coal and natural gas plants, which emit carbon dioxide. Yale Climate Connections Radioactive elements can generate electricity, sterilize products, and date artifactsSince their discovery in the 1890s, these substances have been incorporated throughout our daily lives, from treating food packaging and improving microbial safety to their presence in smoke detectors and gauges for ice cream aeration. US Nuclear Regulatory Commission How power plants deal with extreme surges in demandDuring big power surges—like on hot summer days—power plants have to adjust their power generation to keep up with the demand. Plants run by coal, oil, or renewables like wind and solar take time to make such adjustments, making a reduction in power across the grid more likely. Natural gas, on the other hand, can be tuned more quickly. Popular Science The prevalence of microplastics came from plastic’s affordability and versatilityMicroplastics' durability and overuse have led to massive pollution that overwhelms the planet's ecosystems. Avian, terrestrial, and marine life have been observed to contain microplastics in their bodies, but reverting to paper, cotton, and other materials in manufacturing also brings environmental challenges. Kurzgesagt Japanese scientists develop an eco-friendly plastic that dissolves in saltwaterThe strong and flexible plastic is made from molecules held together by saltwater-sensitive chemical bonds. The components left after the plastic breaks down within hours contain phosphorus and nitrogen, allowing them to serve as soil fertilizer. ZME Science A UN-led treaty may establish rules to phase out plastic globallyWith support from more than 175 nations, a treaty led by the United Nations is being negotiated to establish enforceable global rules for plastic production and pollution by 2025. Negotiations come as the total amount of plastic in the ocean has increased by 50% from 2017 to 2022. World Wildlife Fund Microplastics may cut crop yields and worsen global hungerA major study found that microplastics disrupt photosynthesis in plants and algae, potentially putting an additional 400 million people at risk of starvation within 20 years. The damage from microplastics to crops may already rival the impact of climate change on food supplies. The Guardian Microplastics are entering human food chains through fertilized farmlandMicroplastics from sewage sludge used as fertilizer contaminate agricultural soil and eventually enter our bodies through the food supply of carrots, wheat, and other foodstuffs. In Europe, farmland may absorb up to 710 trillion microplastic particles yearly. BBC Urban trees have a longer growing season due to city lightsThe artificial light and heat of cityscapes help extend the urban growing season by almost 34 days over surrounding rural areas. Nighttime light pollution has grown by 10% over the last decade in urban areas of the US. Yale e360 Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia hold more than 75% of the world’s supply of lithiumDespite the dependence of phones, laptops, electric cars, and other technologies on the soft, silvery-white metal for their batteries, residents of the Lithium Triangle have not seen the benefits of investments into mining this critical mineral, and have instead faced water shortages and pollution. Harvard International Review Fireworks contribute to air, water, and soil contamination and disrupt wildlifeFireworks displays have far-reaching environmental consequences, including acid rain from displays during storms and microplastic pollution in water supplies. Wildlife has also been seen abandoning sites during fireworks and never returning. Earth.org Autonomous vehicles have been confirmed to reduce greenhouse gas emissionsResearch indicates that self-driving cars can reduce harmful pollution through lower traffic, decreased parking demand, and optimized driving behavior. These benefits can be enhanced further in smart cities with responsive traffic signals. AZoCleantech Critics say Burning Man pollutes and promotes elitismFollowing the storms and extreme circumstances of the 2023 Burning Man, discourse has circulated about elitism, pollution, and more problems brought by the festival. Vox The average electric vehicle motor has about 20 moving partsThe simpler design significantly reduces the energy lost to heat compared to the approximately 2,000 parts in a gas-powered car. Pollution is also lower, though an EV's emission profile is only as clean as the electric utility it's plugged into. TED Talks Explore plans for smart cities expected to be built by 2050Locations such as Net City in China, Woven City in Japan, and NEOM in Saudi Arabia are expected to incorporate green energy, AI, and advanced transportation system technologies to enhance air quality, reduce congestion, and minimize pollution by significantly reducing personal car use. Most Extreme Innovation

Try another search?

Batteries Animals Earth Electric Vehicles