Twelve Texas counties have been breathing air that doesn't meet federal standards for soot, but only four might need to do something about it. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) says eight counties can skip stricter rules because of bad data or events like wildfires and dust storms
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants to make America healthy again by tackling corporate pollution and pushing for healthier diets. However, he's joining the Trump administration, which has a history of undermining public health programs and making healthy living more expensive. For instance, the GOP has cut
California's wildfires are burning fast and furious, especially in hard-to-reach areas like canyons. To slow them down, firefighters are dropping a hot-pink mixture from the sky. What's in it and is it safe? This pink stuff is a special fire suppressant that's mainly water mixed with fertilizer and
Soils near an industrial park in Shandong Province, China, were found to contain 81 different perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This was done using a new approach that helps scientists find unknown compounds without needing to know their structure beforehand. Among these PFAS, 12
Cleaning wastewater usually means creating more waste, especially when it comes to antimony. This stuff is dangerous and can cause real harm to the environment. So, scientists came up with a new idea. They used light and a chemical called sulfite to turn antimony into something useful. This method i
Imagine this: China's coastal areas buzzing with clean energy from offshore wind farms. This isn't just a dream; it's a reality that could be just around the corner. With the cost of offshore wind power dropping fast, it's becoming a real option for China's energy transition. To understand its impac
In Los Angeles, massive wildfires have been wreaking havoc, leading firefighters to use a unique tool: hot-pink fire retardant. These fires have caused significant damage, destroying thousands of structures and displacing many people. The question on everyone's mind is, what's in this pink stuff and
You know how simple metal rust can cause big trouble, like leaks that hurt the environment? But did you know microscopic critters can also cause metal to rust? Yep, tiny organisms can create what’s called microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). This is different from regular rust (abiotic corr
When it comes to cleaning up radioactive iodine in soils and sediments, scientists often rely on an approach that assumes it all behaves the same way. This can be like trying to solve a puzzle with the wrong pieces—you might get close, but you’ll never see the whole picture. In reality, iodine can a
California's wildfires are becoming more intense due to climate change. Experts warn that these fires are here to stay and will impact every industry in the region. The problem isn't new – it's been building for over a century. Wildfires are natural, but human development and climate change make the
