Schlagwortarchiv für: air quality

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How has air quality in Germany changed in the last 40 years?

Post-World War II in 1945 saw Germany divided into four zones by the Americans, the British, the French, and the Soviets. The western two-thirds of Germany, known as the Federal Republic of Germany (unofficially: FRG), consisted of the American,…
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Air pollution – How to convert between mg/m3, µg/m3 and ppm, ppb

When it comes to determining the concentration of air pollutants in the atmosphere, the units of measurement one would typically see are either mg/m3, µg/m3, ppm, or ppb. These are used in air quality thresholds and air quality indexes to help…
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How much does air pollution cost society?

Air pollution is Earth’s greatest environmental health threat, killing approximately 7 million worldwide every year. According to the WHO, 9 out of 10 people breathe air that exceeds their guidelines, with developing countries experiencing…
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Air pollution history: The Great Smog of London

The Great London Smog of 1952 (also just called the Great Smog) was an environmental disaster of unprecedented severity as a result of critical air pollution. Its impact ultimately served as a turning point in enacting the first air quality…
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Where does smog get its colour from?

We all know that the reddish-brown haze that hangs over our cities signals poor air pollution from smog. But where and why does this phenomenon occur? Read on to find out. What is smog? Smog is a type of air pollution that reduces visibility.…
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Air pollution and noncommunicable diseases

Air pollution has long been linked to various health issues. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at a specific category of illnesses poor air quality is responsible for: noncommunicable diseases. What are noncommunicable diseases? Noncommunicable…
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How much did EU cities and states pay in air pollution fines in recent years?

The recent decision of the European Court of Justice to condemn Germany for excessive levels of air pollution has put the spotlight back on the European Union's legal action on environmental justice.  But exactly what dimensions are we talking…
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Is air quality improving? A perspective on Germany, the EU, the United States and the rest of the world

The impact of poor air quality is well-documented and widely researched. While it is an ongoing issue that is currently being addressed through various legislations and guidelines all over the world, are our efforts actually clearing the air…
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The impact of air pollution on mental health

When talking about the negative effects of air pollution, a lot of focus is placed on the physical diseases that occur from pollutant exposure. But did you know that air pollution affects mental health as well? Read on to find out more. Research…
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How air pollution exacerbates social inequality

While air pollution is a global issue, killing 7 million worldwide every year, those from different socioeconomic backgrounds feel its effects differently. We have previously written about why air pollution seems to disproportionately affect…
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Why is air pollution a bigger topic in developing countries than in developed nations?

While it is undeniable that air pollution affects everyone, scientific studies, the news, and even international agencies make it seem as though it is more of a significant issue in developing countries than in developed ones. What is the basis…
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Wildfires and air pollution – How air quality sensing can help to quench wildfires

When talking about the sources of air pollution, we tend to think of man-made sources, such as transport and industry. However, the environment can be just as responsible for releasing foreign substances into the atmosphere. In this article,…