Tag

Air Quality

All articles tagged with #air quality

local18 days ago•2 min saved

Texas refinery blast triggers smoke plume, shelter-in-place in Port Arthur

A large explosion at Valero's Port Arthur refinery in Texas sent a thick smoke plume into the air and prompted shelter-in-place orders, which were lifted about 12 hours later as officials said there were no fatalities or injuries. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality deployed air-monitoring teams and Valero coordinated with local authorities; the refinery employs about 770 people and processes roughly 435,000 barrels per day. The incident comes amid volatility in oil and gas prices linked to global supply concerns tied to the Iran war.

via CBS News|

#air-quality #explosion #local

health1 month ago•4 min saved

Candlelight’s hidden cost: indoor air polluted by ultrafine candle particles

A Danish study finds that burning candles releases vast numbers of ultrafine particles (about 7–8 nanometers) and gases like nitrogen dioxide and PAHs, in some cases more than cooking, and these tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and potentially the bloodstream. Even mild asthma showed measurable inflammation after exposure. To reduce risk, use LED candles, burn fewer candles, place them away from drafts, trim wicks, and ventilate the room after use; indoor air quality matters for everyone, especially those with respiratory conditions.

via The Conversation|

#air-quality #asthma #candles

science2 months ago•36 min saved

Indoor vape emissions form a dangerous chemical cocktail, study warns

A December 2025 study in Environmental Science & Technology finds that aerosols from e-cigarettes can become chemically reactive after lingering in indoor air, forming organic hydroperoxides and radicals; ultrafine particles concentrate redox-active metals like arsenic, tin, and lead, creating a “chemical cocktail” that may raise respiratory health risks for bystanders. The researchers urge treating vaping emissions like secondhand smoke and reducing indoor exposure, aligning with global policy debates and bans on vaping.

via Yahoo|

#air-quality #e-cigarettes #health-risks

environment2 months ago•6 min saved

EPA finds xAI’s Memphis methane turbines illegally generating electricity

The EPA ruled that xAI’s Memphis datacenter illegally used methane-fueled turbines to generate electricity, dismissing a local loophole that allowed portable generators; federal air-quality rules now apply to Colossus 1, where 12 turbines operate under federal oversight after earlier permits for 15, and enforcement actions remain unclear as the NAACP pursues a Clean Air Act suit.

via Boing Boing|

#air-quality #environment #epa

technology2 months ago•15 min saved

EPA Tightens Permitting Rules for Grok-Powering Gas Turbines

Environmental groups won a ruling that clarifies temporary gas-turbine generators used by xAI’s Grok data centers must still comply with clean-air permits. The EPA update closes a local loophole that allowed turbines to operate without federal permits by being labeled as “non-road” or temporary, meaning federal oversight now governs the permitting process for Grok-powered facilities in Tennessee. SELC and allied groups argue this closes a loophole that could worsen air pollution, while xAI has moved to obtain permits; the NAACP emphasizes swift enforcement to protect nearby communities.

via Gizmodo|

#air-quality #epa #gas-turbines

climate2 months ago•37 min saved

EPA drops monetization of health benefits in air-pollution rules, tilting policy toward polluters

Vox reports the EPA will stop assigning a dollar value to health benefits (like avoided deaths and hospital visits) in cost-benefit analyses for PM2.5 and ozone rules, evaluating costs without monetized health gains, a shift that experts warn could weaken protections and tilt decisions toward polluters.

via vox.com|

#air-quality #climate #cost-benefit-analysis

science3 months ago•3 min saved

Traffic Influences Earth's Electric Field, Study Finds

A study in Tel Aviv found that traffic pollution, especially NOx gases and PM2.5 particles, directly influences the Earth's atmospheric electric field, with effects peaking during rush hours and diminishing on weekends, highlighting the link between urban air quality and atmospheric electrical phenomena.

via ScienceAlert|

#air-quality #atmospheric-electric-field #israel

health3 months ago•2 min saved

Home Appliances Release Trillions of Harmful Particles, Study Shows

A study by Pusan National University found that common household appliances like toasters and hair dryers emit trillions of ultrafine particles, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and contain heavy metals, potentially increasing health risks such as asthma and cardiovascular diseases. The research highlights the need for improved appliance design and stricter regulations to reduce indoor air pollution.

via ScienceAlert|

#air-quality #health #health-risks

environment5 months ago•4 min saved

Delhi's Air Quality Deteriorates Post-Diwali Amid Pollution Concerns

Delhi's air quality has deteriorated to 'very poor' due to a combination of firecracker use during Diwali, vehicular emissions, and increased crop residue burning in neighboring states, compounded by winter weather conditions that trap pollutants, highlighting the need for long-term, collaborative solutions to address recurring air pollution crises.

via BBC|

#air-quality #delhi-pollution #environment

environment5 months ago•3 min saved

Delhi Faces Toxic Haze and Poor Air Quality Post-Diwali

Delhi woke up to severe air pollution after Diwali, with the AQI reaching 360 due to fireworks, vehicular emissions, and crop stubble burning, despite restrictions and a court order to use green crackers. The pollution levels are dangerously high, posing health risks, and experts warn that relaxed rules may worsen awareness of air quality issues.

via BBC|

#air-quality #delhi #diwali

technology6 months ago•1 min saved

Affordable Computer Vision Tool for Air Quality Monitoring

A researcher has developed a low-cost air quality estimation system using a microcontroller with a camera and a trained AI model to analyze sky images, offering a novel approach that complements traditional sensors, though with some limitations in accuracy.

via Hackaday|

#ai-model #air-quality #computer-vision

local-news6 months ago•4 min saved

Chevron refinery fire in El Segundo sparks safety concerns and gas price hikes

A massive fire at Chevron's oil refinery in El Segundo caused alarm among residents, highlighting concerns about air quality and safety, but officials confirmed no injuries or significant damage, and life in the area is gradually returning to normal.

via Los Angeles Times|

#air-quality #community-impact #el-segundo

health6 months ago•7 min saved

Scientists Explore Pollution's Impact on Psoriasis

Recent studies reveal a significant link between air pollution and the triggering or worsening of psoriasis, an autoimmune skin condition, with pollutants like PM2.5 and PAHs contributing to inflammation and immune activation. Individuals in polluted environments, such as those near sugarcane burning or factories, are at increased risk, highlighting the need for regulatory action and personal protective measures.

via Live Science|

#air-quality #autoimmune #environmental-health

health6 months ago•4 min saved

Air Pollution Linked to Childhood Health Risks and Vision Problems

A study in China found that air pollution, particularly PM2.5 and NO2, is linked to increased risk of myopia in children, with reducing pollution levels improving vision scores and potentially preventing irreversible eye conditions.

via Daily Mail|

#air-quality #children #health

science6 months ago•1 min saved

Mount St. Helens' 1980 Ash Remains Stirred by Strong Winds

Strong winds in Washington have stirred up ash from the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption, causing hazy conditions and potential hazards for aircraft and health, though the volcano remains at a normal alert level and no recent eruption has occurred.

via ABC News|

#air-quality #ash-resuspension #mount-st-helens