Nepal shuts schools as air pollution hits alarming levels

Nepal shuts schools as air pollution hits alarming levels

The air quality of Kathmandu, Nepal, has reached hazardous levels on March 27, 2021, with the AQI hitting 421, according to the Real-Time Air Quality Index. The education ministry said about eight million students have been affected as schools were shut amid the…

Researchers find alcohol in air may slow down haze formation

Researchers find alcohol in air may slow down haze formation

An international team led by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, Beijing Institute of Technology, University of Helsinki and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has found a missing link that affects haze formation in the atmosphere, providing new clues…

5.7 million pounds of air pollution released in Texas after Harvey landfall

5.7 million pounds of air pollution released in Texas after Harvey landfall

According to reports filed by companies to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), 2.6 million kg (5.7 million pounds) of hazardous chemicals were released into the air by chemical plants, oil refineries, and industrial facilities from August 23 to…

How toxic air clouds mental health

How toxic air clouds mental health

There is little debate over the link between air pollution and the human respiratory system: Research shows that dirty air can impair breathing and aggravate various lung diseases. Other potential effects are being investigated, too, as scientists examine…

Beijing issues first orange air pollution alert of the autumn season, China

Beijing issues first orange air pollution alert of the autumn season, China

Beijing’s meteorological authority has issued an orange air pollution alert for the next four days, the first severe smog warning since the capital city entered the autumn season. The heavy pollution emergency response headquarters said that the alert, the…

24 cities in China on red air pollution alert, 21 on orange

24 cities in China on red air pollution alert, 21 on orange

China's environmental authorities have placed 24 cities on red pollution alert, strengthening inspections and enforcements to fight air pollution violations. According to the China.org.cn, the smog prompted 24 cities including Shijiazhuang and Baoding in Hebei…

Air pollution identified as top health hazard in Europe

Air pollution identified as top health hazard in Europe

The European Environment Agency (EEA) released its annual report on air quality in Europe today, identifying air pollution as 'the single largest environmental health hazard in Europe.' Although air quality in Europe is slowly improving, EEA said it still…

Troposphere ozone pollution highest near the equator

Troposphere ozone pollution highest near the equator

A new research, conducted by the University of North Carolina (UNC), shows the pollution emissions are increasing in the area close to the equator where they produce a much greater impact on the ozone formation. The air pollution across the globe has increased since…

Hazardous smog wraps Delhi, the worst in last 17 years

Hazardous smog wraps Delhi, the worst in last 17 years

A thick layer of hazardous smog blanketed New Delhi, India four days ago and shows no sign of loosening the grip. On November 3, 2016, between 07:00 and 09:00 (local time), Palam Observatory reported the dense smog layer has dropped the visibility to only 50 m (164…

Air pollution causing over 5.5 million deaths every year

Air pollution causing over 5.5 million deaths every year

New research shows that more than 5.5 million people die prematurely every year due to household and outdoor air pollution. More than half of deaths occur in two of the world’s fastest growing economies, China, and India. Power plants, industrial…