Latest news with #ScienceoftheTotalEnvironment
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Officials uncover rising threat to US groundwater — here's what you need to know
Accelerating sea level rise has also meant a rise in shallow fresh groundwater in California, putting water supplies at risk from exposure to pollution. Scientists employed a new method to assess that risk and recently released their findings in a new report. Researchers from California State University, Long Beach, used deep learning and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) models to determine California's risk of polluted groundwater exposure from sea level rise along the state's coast. While most advanced AI models make decisions that involve the use of complex math, they don't tell us the reasons they arrived at those decisions. XAI helps to explain the how and why behind those decisions. The team from Cal State Long Beach used this advanced technology to assess groundwater contamination risks from rising seas that could potentially impact half a million Californians by the end of the century. Rising oceans push groundwater closer to the surface, where it can mix with pollutants from old factories, landfills, and sewage plants, contaminating the water. Projections indicate that by 2100, approximately 500,000 people in California may reside in areas where groundwater is likely to become contaminated. A significant number come from communities of color or lower-income areas, who already face more health and safety challenges. The study titled "Assessing risk of groundwater pollution exposure from sea level rise in California" was published in Science of the Total Environment, a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The new methods that scientists have developed to identify which communities are most vulnerable to groundwater pollution and to determine the factors driving this risk can be applied by communities around the world. The latest annual State of the Climate report issued by the American Meteorological Society revealed that sea levels hit a record high in 2023. It was the 12th straight year that sea levels have risen. Glaciers continued to melt in 2024, the warmest year on record globally. Officials in California cited data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that projects a possible sea level rise of one foot in the San Francisco Bay Area by 2025. Marin County officials are urging the residents of Northern California to prepare for the consequences. Our warming world is supercharging extreme weather events as harmful heat-trapping gases are acting like steroids for weather. Several scientists are calling for a new category to be added to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Stronger storms coupled with rising sea levels mean storm surges can move further inland to cause more damage. Reducing harmful carbon pollution by ending our reliance on dirty energy and switching to renewable sources is critical. The choices we make at home, like upgrading to LED bulbs, unplugging energy vampires, and opting for an induction stove instead of a conventional range, can make an impact. Rising sea levels increase risks to the health and safety of people who live in coastal communities around the world. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Los Angeles Times
20-06-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Why Wildfires Can Be Especially Devastating for Older Adults
After a wildfire, the focus often turns to rebuilding homes. But for many older adults, the deeper challenge is rebuilding a sense of safety, identity, and connection, especially when they've lost the home and neighborhood that grounded their lives. 'A lot of their interpersonal connections are disappearing, because people die as they get older,' Dr. Jonathan Sherin, a psychiatrist and former director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, said. 'So you know, your social network shrinks, whether you like it or not.' That shrinking circle becomes even more dangerous when paired with the trauma and displacement that occur after losing your home in a wildfire. Dr. Sherin calls it 'the other LOL, which is the lethality of loneliness.' A 2023 study published in Science of the Total Environment found that older adults (ages 65 and up) who were exposed to multiple large wildfires in California experienced significantly more frequent days of mental health problems, even years later. Researchers noted that the psychological burden was strongest among seniors with limited income or mobility. When an elderly adult's property burns down in a wildfire, they don't just lose shelter. They also lose a place of lifelong memories, routines, and identity — a home they hoped would last long after them and bring comfort to their families in the future. In Altadena, a diverse neighborhood known for its historic Black population and strong pride in generational homeownership, the devastation of the Eaton Fire has been especially painful. 'Altadena was one of those spots where there was generational wealth creation,' said architect Matthew Trotter, president of SoCal NOMA and leader of the Altadena Rebuild Coalition. 'And what comes with generational wealth creation is also a certain level of knowledge creation.' Trotter said that a large part of the 200 families his coalition is supporting to help rebuild Altadena are older residents whose homes were purchased by themselves or their families in the 40s, 50s, and 60s as a place of refuge for African-Americans from redlining and discriminatory housing practices in Los Angeles during the Jim Crow era. A recent analysis by the UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies found that 57% of Black homeowners affected by the Eaton Fire in Altadena were over the age of 65. Trotter said that many of them lacked adequate insurance, and their losses have disrupted generational wealth that families had hoped to pass on. This underscores how the destruction of homes for older wildfire survivors can damage family legacy, history and connection, bringing on another layer of distress. National research has shown that older adults are more likely to develop PTSD and adjustment disorders following disasters than younger populations, due in part to fragile support systems, compounding life losses, and barriers to accessing care. 'Old people get isolated and they get lonely,' Dr. Sherin said. 'Particularly in Western culture, which is not necessarily focused on family as much as other cultures.' He explained that trauma for older wildfire survivors can surface in many ways, including hypervigilance, irritability, depression, or complete withdrawal to the point that they stop doing actions that help prolong their lives. 'They don't eat well, they stop taking their medications, they drive when they shouldn't be driving,' Dr. Sherin said. 'They become suicidal and self-injurious, or they just defer their care.' Sometimes, these changes are mistaken for signs of normal aging, but they may actually signal more profound distress, particularly following a traumatic event like a natural disaster. Whether you're a family member, neighbor, or friend, being proactive in talking about the trauma and being present for elderly wildfire survivors can make a real difference. Sherin noted that wildfire survivors often 'take a big financial hit' and may find themselves relying on others in ways that feel uncomfortable, which can keep them from asking for help. 'When you're losing your agency, and you're losing your identity as a part of a trauma … that's a real problem and it needs to be addressed,' Dr. Sherin said. 'And the way to address it is not just medicating people.' He said it's essential to help older adults feel connected and appreciated, whether by inviting them to family events or encouraging regular routines, such as attending church. Dr. Sherin also said that some sadness and grief are expected. 'A lot of it is normal, and is a normal part of the process of kind of going through a loss, mourning it and moving it forward,' Dr. Sherin said. However, if anyone affected by the fires finds it challenging to do the things they usually do, it may be a sign that they are not coping well with their loss and may need extra support. Here are specific signs Dr. Sherin said to look for: However, there is some positive research on mental health consequences for our elders after a wildfire. Some studies have found that older disaster survivors may carry greater long-term resilience. According to a 2023 article in the Journal of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, older adults often suffer greater psychological harm in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, but those who do rebuild or receive meaningful support within a year may become less vulnerable to long-term psychological decline than younger adults. Researchers referred to this as the 'inoculation' effect of aging, citing life experience and emotional regulation as key factors in post-disaster recovery. Therefore, the key to making sure elderly wildfire survivors do not develop depression and can cope well with the loss is to engage with them and make them feel a part of the community. Dr. Sherin said that when families, neighbors, and communities offer connection and care, that support can be the most powerful form of healing. It just takes everyone to be comfortable addressing mental health challenges and feel the duty to act if they see someone struggling. 'Raise the red flag in a loving way, just like you would when someone you know is injured physically,' Dr. Sherin said. 'When someone's burned and they're in pain. Do you just ignore it? No. So it's the same thing, and we can't ignore that.' If you or someone you know is actively planning to harm themselves, call 988 or 911 immediately. Visit the LA County Department of Mental Health – Older Adult Services page for free access to therapy, case management, and in-home support for L.A. County residents aged 60 and older experiencing depression, trauma, grief, or isolation. You can also call their ACCESS line 24/7 at 800-854-7771 or text 'LA' to 741741.
Indian Express
31-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Going beyond AQI: study shows why toxicity matters in measuring air pollution
The ability of PM2.5 air pollutants to cause damage to cells increases sharply after concentration levels cross a certain threshold value, new research has found. For Kolkata, where the study was carried out, this threshold value is about 70 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), the study found. Once the PM2.5 concentration crosses this level, its toxicity — or the potential to cause damage to the human body — increases sharply, and continues to rise until the concentration reaches about 130 µg/m³. Toxicity stabilises after that, and further increases in concentration do not lead to an appreciable rise in damage potential. The study, by Abhijit Chatterjee of the Bose Institute, Kolkata, and two of his former PhD students, Abhinandan Ghosh and Monami Dutta, is the first attempt at investigating how toxicity of air pollution changes with concentration levels in Indian cities. ('Contrasting features of winter-time PM2.5 pollution and PM2.5-toxicity based on oxidative potential: A long-term (2016–2023) study over Kolkata megacity at eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain', Science of the Total Environment, December 2024) This is not to suggest that at concentrations below 70 µg/m³ in Kolkata, air pollution is benign and does not pose any threat to human health. Pollution is damaging at lower concentrations as well, but it becomes much more toxic after crossing the threshold value. At lower concentrations, the body copes better with the adverse impacts of inhaling pollutants. After the threshold level, however, the body's defence mechanisms are overwhelmed, and the pollutants are able to cause greater damage to cells, particularly the respiratory systems which are affected first. When pollutants are inhaled, the body's immune system tends to fight back through the release of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which are chemicals used by immune cells to neutralise foreign substances. When larger concentrations of pollutants are inhaled, greater amounts of ROS are released. The problem is ROS is damaging for the body's cells as well. Therefore, as a natural counter-defence mechanism, the body produces another set of chemicals, called antioxidants, that protect the cells against ROS. However, antioxidants are present in small quantities, and take time to build up. So, while they are able to effectively deal with smaller amounts of ROS, they are helpless when ROS is produced in large amounts. This leads to an imbalance in the body, a situation called oxidative stress, which leaves the internal cells prone to damage from excess ROS. 'The PM2.5 pollution level is well understood and established in every city in India… We wanted to see how the level of toxicity increases with the increase in pollution level,' Prof Chatterjee said. 'We know that when PM levels increase, there are several consequences, such as haze, dust, and visibility reduction. But how far does toxicity surge? We did not know. Though India has its standards of PM2.5 and PM10, we don't have a threshold value in terms of oxidative stress in the human body. That's where we wanted to determine the standard,' he said. According to Prof Chatterjee, 'When the PM2.5 concentration level exceeds about 70 µg/m³, its potential to create oxidative stress increases steeply, mainly because of the presence of some specific chemical components like those coming from biomass or solid waste burning. The components from vehicular emissions also help increase oxidative stress, but this is much less compared to biomass burning.' The threshold levels at which toxicity sees a sharp rise is expected to vary from city to city, mainly due to the differences in the composition of the air pollutants. In some cities, vehicular emissions might be the biggest contributor to pollution; in other places, biomass burning might be significant. Air quality standards are framed in terms of their concentration, not toxicity. In India, for example, a PM2.5 concentration level of 40 µg/m³, averaged over a year, is considered safe. On a daily basis, a concentration of 60 µg/m³ is considered safe. However, the harmful impacts of air pollution on human health depend not just on concentration, but also on toxicity, which takes into account factors like chemical composition of pollutants. In Kolkata, for example, the threat that annual PM2.5 concentrations of 50 or 60 µg/m³ poses is not going to be very different from the one posed by a concentration of 30-40 µg/m³. But alarm bells must go off once a level of 70 µg/m³ is reached. In other cities, this would be different. This study can thus make the case for toxicity-based air quality standards, which can trigger targeted warnings/emergency actions once the threshold concentration is breached. Dipanita Nath is interested in the climate crisis and sustainability. She has written extensively on social trends, heritage, theatre and startups. She has worked with major news organizations such as Hindustan Times, The Times of India and Mint. ... Read More
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists make concerning discovery about memory of bees: 'We really might be in a tricky position'
Scientists have found that microplastic pollution may impair the memory of bees, interfering with their ability to remember floral scents and locate flowers, which could lead to lower pollination rates. As The Washington Post reported, researchers have discovered that microplastics are impacting the brains of honeybees and other pollinators, including bumblebees, according to a study published in the journal Science of the Total Environment. Microplastics can also physically block plant structures, preventing pollen from being deposited and the plant from being pollinated. Since microplastics are virtually everywhere in the environment — air, waterways, soil, and even remote locations such as the Pyrenees — it's easy for bees to ingest or inhale the particles while foraging for nectar and pollen. Microplastics are deposited in nature from the incorrect disposal of trash, such as water bottles and food wrappers that contain plastic, as well as stormwater runoff and direct discharge from wastewater or industrial plants, among other sources. As the particles break down into smaller pieces, they travel through the air and land on flowers. When bees unknowingly consume microplastics, it can have a devastating impact on their health, disrupting their gut bacteria and immune systems, according to another study in Science of the Total Environment. "If plastic is adding to all the stressors that pollinators are facing already, I think we really might be in a tricky position," Thomas Cherico Wanger-Guerrero, an agroecologist at Agroscope, an agriculture research center in Switzerland, told the Post. Since bees are so vulnerable to microplastic exposure, the particles are likely to end up in honey. The Post reported that Turkish scientists found microplastics in most honey samples taken. In Germany, commercial honey was found to contain about five microplastic particles per teaspoon. Plastics have been linked to a wide range of human health problems, including hormone disruption, kidney and heart disease, birth defects, and an increased risk of cancer. Since people are already frequently exposed to plastics, the detection of plastics in honey is bad news, as it could lead to further health issues. If bees aren't pollinating as many flowers and crops, our food supply could be at risk. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, pollinators play a crucial role in feeding the world, with scientists estimating that around 35% of the world's food crops rely on pollinators for growth. Bees also pollinate native plants and contribute to the overall health of ecosystems. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. With bees facing numerous environmental stressors, including habitat loss, rising global temperatures, and pesticide exposure — all of which have been linked to declining bee populations — microplastics are a dire threat to the species. Researchers have found that biochar — a popular soil amendment used on farms — removed nearly 93% of plastic particles from study samples, showing promise for global food supplies. Additionally, scientists have developed an ultra-thin film that can reduce crop losses and prevent microplastics from polluting the soil. Wanger-Guerrero told the Post that "the urgency to mitigate exposure of nature to plastic" can't be overstated, as plastic affects humans, wildlife, and the environment. We can help bees by reducing our plastic use in daily life and opting for eco-friendly alternatives, such as switching from single-use water bottles to reusable ones. Recycling plastic is also essential to reduce waste and keep microplastics out of the environment. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists uncover shocking revival of ancient threat beneath melting ice: '[What's happening] in the Arctic doesn't stay in the Arctic'
The Arctic could increasingly become the site of animal-to-human disease transfer, a study published in the journal Science of the Total Environment suggests. As the ice melts, scientists warn, more zoonoses may spread. The co-authors of the study, published in December 2024, outline several factors that make the Arctic an area of concern when it comes to zoonoses — infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Rising global temperatures have the potential to connect — and amplify — them all. Due to these rising temperatures, arctic ice is melting. As ice sheets disappear, humans and wildlife face issues like rising sea levels and the related effects of habitat and biodiversity loss. For example, when species that require solid ice on which to live, reproduce, and hunt lose their grounds to melting, their populations decline, with impacts further down the food chain too. Habitat and biodiversity loss can also sponsor the spread of disease by increasing animal-human interactions. Additionally, scientists think that biodiversity loss can "[mean] that the species that remain are the competent ones, the ones that are really good at transmitting disease," infectious disease ecologist Jason Rohr explained to the New York Times in May 2024. But scientists are also concerned with the melting of something called permafrost — a layer of ground that can remain frozen for long periods of time, trapping ancient microbes and other pathogens as well as pollutants in an icy prison. As permafrost melts, scientists caution that we may see even more disease spread. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, permafrost temperatures in Alaska "have increased at an average rate of 0.6°F per decade" from 1978 to 2023. We already know that the impacts of Arctic ice melt are felt globally. Melting ice can influence shifts in weather patterns, with the potential to cause extreme weather events everywhere. And as Khaled Megahed Abass, a co-author of the December 2024 study, underscored in a news release, "[what's happening] in the Arctic doesn't stay in the Arctic." The co-authors wrote in the study that "Arctic inhabitants are often in close contact with, and dependent on, wildlife for sustenance." Food supplies could be another route of transmission for pathogens already given a leg up by habitat loss, biodiversity loss, and permafrost melting. The study also notes that diseases originating in the region "have more potential to spread globally than ever before." This means there's every chance the whole world could be affected at the pandemic level. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Melting permafrost can affect the whole world in another way too. When microbes newly unlocked from their deep freeze begin to consume organic matter, they can produce gases like methane and carbon dioxide. The more this heat-trapping pollution is released into our atmosphere, the more we're set to contend with the rising temperatures that cause ice melt in the first place. The team's study calls for more monitoring and protection in the Arctic, highlighting the importance of integrating traditional Indigenous knowledge. The authors also note the importance of public health campaigns and improved infrastructure to inform and support those who might be impacted first. Permafrost could merit special attention for its potential to unleash ancient microbes, mysterious pathogens, more warming, and untold damage. But it's also just one element in a complex system of climate issues. "Climate change is not only melting ice—it's melting the barriers between ecosystems, animals, and people," Abass said. "This study shows how environmental disruption can directly impact human health." No one person can halt temperatures rising around the world, but concerned citizens of Planet Earth can work together to identify steps that, especially when taken collectively, have a chance to curb the crisis. Switching to electric vehicles en masse, advocating for community solar programs, and championing pro-environment policies can add up. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
