Pollution(Page 2)

What you need to know about the gases, toxins, and garbage that make their way into water, air, and land.

Latest in Pollution

Best air quality monitors sliced header

Gear

The best air quality monitors for 2024, according to experts The best air quality monitors for 2024, according to experts

By John Alexander

Golden Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) in the Red Sea, Egypt

Mass extinction 183 million years ago offers dire warning for modern oceans Mass extinction 183 million years ago offers dire warning for modern oceans

AI

Ocean trash can now be tracked from space Ocean trash can now be tracked from space

Microplastic pile close-up

Every human semen sample contained microplastics in new study Every human semen sample contained microplastics in new study

Close-up of three cows

Cow poop might make cleaner hydrogen gas a reality Cow poop might make cleaner hydrogen gas a reality

The best air purifiers for smoke on a plain white background.

Gear

The best air purifiers for smoke in 2024, tested and reviewed The best air purifiers for smoke in 2024, tested and reviewed

By Terri Williams

Private jet on tarmac at sunset

Tracking private jets just got much harder Tracking private jets just got much harder

Factory worker overseeing steel forge

Zero-emission ‘electric cement’ is an ‘absolute miracle’ Zero-emission ‘electric cement’ is an ‘absolute miracle’

Small Plastic pellets on blue cloth

Every human testicle contained microplastics in a new study Every human testicle contained microplastics in a new study

A lineup of the best air purifiers on a white background

Gear

The best air purifiers so you can breathe easy in 2024 The best air purifiers so you can breathe easy in 2024

By Stacey L. Nash, Amanda Reed, Brandt Ranj

Project 821 hydrogen fuel superyacht in port

Welcome aboard the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell superyacht Welcome aboard the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell superyacht

Shoe made from bacterial cellulose

Would you wear this ‘shoe-like vessel’ made from genetically engineered bacteria? Would you wear this ‘shoe-like vessel’ made from genetically engineered bacteria?

High traffic road with signs and light trails on sunset

EPA says over half of all new cars must be EVs or hybrids by 2032 EPA says over half of all new cars must be EVs or hybrids by 2032

scientist working on compostable plastics collage with mushrooms

What will it take to make truly compostable plastic? What will it take to make truly compostable plastic?

By Boyce Upholt / Knowable Magazine

Plastic makers lied about recycling for decades. What do we do next?

Plastic makers lied about recycling for decades. What do we do next? Plastic makers lied about recycling for decades. What do we do next?

MethaneSAT concept art above Earth

A new AI-powered satellite will create Google Maps for methane pollution A new AI-powered satellite will create Google Maps for methane pollution

Photo illustration of hawkmoth navigating to flower during vehicle exhaust emission.

Air pollution messes with moths’ ability to smell flowers Air pollution messes with moths’ ability to smell flowers

By Lauren Leffer

Abandoned car in aluminum red mud spill

Aluminum’s notorious, toxic red mud could one day help make ‘green steel’ Aluminum’s notorious, toxic red mud could one day help make ‘green steel’

A multiple-exposure photograph of insects circling an artificial light at night. The light can mess with a moth’s sense of what direction is up and which way is down.

Why artificial light—and evolution—trap moths Why artificial light—and evolution—trap moths

By Laura Baisas

The cost of freeing drinking water from ‘forever chemicals’

The cost of freeing drinking water from ‘forever chemicals’ The cost of freeing drinking water from ‘forever chemicals’

By Charles Schmidt / Undark

Four of the best small humidifiers side by side on a plain white background.

Gear

The best small dehumidifiers for 2024 The best small dehumidifiers for 2024

By John Alexander

Levoit P350 Air Purifier next to a black dog on the floor.

Gear

The best air purifiers for pets in 2024, tested and reviewed The best air purifiers for pets in 2024, tested and reviewed

By Abby Ferguson

‘Forever chemicals’ found in freshwater fish, yet most states don’t warn residents

‘Forever chemicals’ found in freshwater fish, yet most states don’t warn residents ‘Forever chemicals’ found in freshwater fish, yet most states don’t warn residents

By Hannah Norman / KFF Health News

How AI could help scientists spot ‘ultra-emission’ methane plumes faster—from space

How AI could help scientists spot ‘ultra-emission’ methane plumes faster—from space How AI could help scientists spot ‘ultra-emission’ methane plumes faster—from space

Four choices for the best air purifiers for allergies on a plain background

Gear

The best air purifiers for allergies in 2024 The best air purifiers for allergies in 2024

Lawn equipment spews ‘shocking’ amount of air pollution, new data shows

Lawn equipment spews ‘shocking’ amount of air pollution, new data shows Lawn equipment spews ‘shocking’ amount of air pollution, new data shows

By Tik Root/Grist

Cape Fear River in North Carolina, which is polluted by PFAS, seen from above after a storm

8 new types of ‘forever chemicals’ found in river linked to US cancer cluster 8 new types of ‘forever chemicals’ found in river linked to US cancer cluster

AlgaRay robot floating atop water in Antigua

This seafaring robot ‘eats’ stinky seaweed and dumps it in deep water This seafaring robot ‘eats’ stinky seaweed and dumps it in deep water

Small propeller plane flying in a clear sky

Small planes are still spewing toxic lead across the US, EPA says Small planes are still spewing toxic lead across the US, EPA says

Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm speaks before US President Joe Biden at Tioga Marine Terminal on October 13, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Biden discussed how his Bidenomics agenda is creating good-paying union jobs, investing in infrastructure, accelerating the transition to a clean energy future, and combating the climate crisis.

US will build seven regional ‘hydrogen hubs’ to spark clean energy transition US will build seven regional ‘hydrogen hubs’ to spark clean energy transition

By Laura Baisas

Lots of chargers for devices tangled in a crowded corner

People send 20 billion pounds of ‘invisible’ e-waste to landfills each year People send 20 billion pounds of ‘invisible’ e-waste to landfills each year

Oyster-inspired sponges can scoop up nearly invisible nanoplastics in the ocean

Oyster-inspired sponges can scoop up nearly invisible nanoplastics in the ocean Oyster-inspired sponges can scoop up nearly invisible nanoplastics in the ocean

By Chris Baraniuk / Hakai Magazine

Blue bins of fish and other seafood caught near the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan

This nuclear byproduct is fueling debate over Fukushima’s seafood This nuclear byproduct is fueling debate over Fukushima’s seafood

America’s war in Afghanistan devastated the country’s environment in ways that may never be cleaned up

America’s war in Afghanistan devastated the country’s environment in ways that may never be cleaned up America’s war in Afghanistan devastated the country’s environment in ways that may never be cleaned up

By Lynzy Billing/Inside Climate News

Pile of colorful Lego bricks

Lego’s plan for eco-friendly bricks has fallen apart Lego’s plan for eco-friendly bricks has fallen apart

Plastic fishing gear brings in a better catch, but there’s a big tradeoff

Plastic fishing gear brings in a better catch, but there’s a big tradeoff Plastic fishing gear brings in a better catch, but there’s a big tradeoff

By Alastair Bland/Hakai Magazine

A remote Air Force base in Alaska is getting its own nuclear reactor

A remote Air Force base in Alaska is getting its own nuclear reactor A remote Air Force base in Alaska is getting its own nuclear reactor

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Oysters can’t sleep—and your lights might be the cause

Oysters can’t sleep—and your lights might be the cause Oysters can’t sleep—and your lights might be the cause

By Hannah Seo/Hakai Magazine

3D printer making algae-based water decontaminate

‘Living material’ water filter uses bacteria to neutralize water pollutants ‘Living material’ water filter uses bacteria to neutralize water pollutants

Scientists are using AI to track coal train dust

Scientists are using AI to track coal train dust Scientists are using AI to track coal train dust

By Emma Foehringer Merchant / Undark

Lithium samples from the proposed Thacker Pass mining site in the McDermitt Caldera lithium deposit

What’s the most sustainable way to mine the largest known lithium deposit in the world? What’s the most sustainable way to mine the largest known lithium deposit in the world?

Seafarers are unknowingly working with oil smugglers

Seafarers are unknowingly working with oil smugglers Seafarers are unknowingly working with oil smugglers

By Nathaniel Peutherer/Hakai Magazine

A woman holds a red smoothie in a glass with a handle on it and a stainless steel straw sticking out. A group of ‘forever chemicals’ commonly called PFAS were not detected on the stainless steel straws in this study, but were on 18 out of 20 brands of paper straws.

‘Forever chemicals’ detected in paper and plastic straws ‘Forever chemicals’ detected in paper and plastic straws

By Laura Baisas

Inside the fight to reclaim California’s biggest freshwater lake from algae

Inside the fight to reclaim California’s biggest freshwater lake from algae Inside the fight to reclaim California’s biggest freshwater lake from algae

By Tien Nguyen/Knowable Magazine

Metal mesh with water droplets

Titanium dioxide-coated mesh can purify contaminated fog Titanium dioxide-coated mesh can purify contaminated fog

A burnt out car lies in the driveway of charred apartment complex in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 12, 2023.

The health hazards from wildfires will linger in Maui for years The health hazards from wildfires will linger in Maui for years

By Andrew J. Whelton/The Conversation

Aftermath Of Tanker Fire At I-95 In Bensalem

Federal study links testicular cancer to ‘Forever Chemicals’ for the first time Federal study links testicular cancer to ‘Forever Chemicals’ for the first time

By Hannah Norman and Patricia Kime/KFF Health News

Amazon package at fulfillment center.

Amazon might finally be cutting down on plastic waste Amazon might finally be cutting down on plastic waste

By Joseph Winters / Grist

first road constructed with plastic waste in Agartala

Turning plastic waste into streets faces roadblocks Turning plastic waste into streets faces roadblocks

By James Bruggers/Inside Climate News

turmeric at spice market

For decades, turmeric’s ultra-golden glow had a deadly secret For decades, turmeric’s ultra-golden glow had a deadly secret

By Wudan Yan/Undark

No guts left behind: Iceland’s quest to repurpose fish waste No guts left behind: Iceland’s quest to repurpose fish waste

By Lela Nargi/Hakai Magazine

person holding latest fairphone

The most sustainable phone on the market is the one in your pocket The most sustainable phone on the market is the one in your pocket

By Carla Delgado

EPA plan to eliminate lead in buildings could help half a million young children

EPA plan to eliminate lead in buildings could help half a million young children EPA plan to eliminate lead in buildings could help half a million young children

By Kate Yoder/Grist

The giant Douglas firs in British Columbia forests are examples of so-called mother trees

Are ‘mother trees’ real? Are ‘mother trees’ real?

Fast fashion might be making us sick

Fast fashion might be making us sick Fast fashion might be making us sick

By Danielle Renwick / Nexus Media News

Fourth of July partygoers playing in red, white, and blue confetti, which could be a fireworks alternative

Celebrate a firework-less Fourth of July with drones, bubble guns, or confetti cannons Celebrate a firework-less Fourth of July with drones, bubble guns, or confetti cannons

By Carla Delgado

Marine microplastics chemicals may make microbes more resistant

Marine microplastics chemicals may make microbes more resistant Marine microplastics chemicals may make microbes more resistant

By Michael Allen / Hakai Magazine

How can we decarbonize copper and nickel mining?

How can we decarbonize copper and nickel mining? How can we decarbonize copper and nickel mining?

By Carla Delgado

The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 has an MPGe of 140.

What an electric vehicle’s MPGe rating really means What an electric vehicle’s MPGe rating really means

Why scientists want to banish barnacles from ship hulls

Why scientists want to banish barnacles from ship hulls Why scientists want to banish barnacles from ship hulls

By Chris Baraniuk / Hakai Magazine

Deer and other animals in wildfire smoke during California Dixie fire in 2021

Clouds of wildfire smoke are toxic to humans and animals alike Clouds of wildfire smoke are toxic to humans and animals alike

By Carla Delgado

air purifiers composited

Gear

These air purifiers are actually on sale right now at Amazon and Best Buy These air purifiers are actually on sale right now at Amazon and Best Buy

By Stan Horaczek

A popular ‘compostable’ bioplastic isn’t as biodegradable as it seems

A popular ‘compostable’ bioplastic isn’t as biodegradable as it seems A popular ‘compostable’ bioplastic isn’t as biodegradable as it seems

By Carla Delgado

It will cost up to $21.5 billion to clean up California’s oil sites. The industry won’t make enough money to pay for it.

It will cost up to $21.5 billion to clean up California’s oil sites. The industry won’t make enough money to pay for it. It will cost up to $21.5 billion to clean up California’s oil sites. The industry won’t make enough money to pay for it.

By Mark Olalde/ProPublica