Pollution

Research out of France has revealed that we're probably harming our lungs without knowing it. Every day, we're inhaling tiny bits of plastic smaller than a speck of dust without even leaving the house – that's 100x more than previously estimated.

A new study published in Nature Microbiology has reported a naturally occurring family of bacterial species in the human gut that can absorb and break down toxic, long-lasting "forever chemicals" and carry them out as waste through feces.

Scientists have developed a nasal 'molecular shield' that disarms pollen, blocking allergic reactions fast without the use of drugs. This non-invasive method to effectively silence hay fever could be a game changer for around 81 million Americans.

Exposure to common metals has again been linked to ADHD and specific symptoms. It builds on existing research that has found a strong association between environmental contaminants like lead and a higher rate of people diagnosed with the condition.

A new study from scientists at Michigan State University sheds light on a recently discovered microbe and its potential for scavenging pollutants in deep soil. Further work could lead to novel solutions in providing clean drinking water worldwide.

One of the worries about microplastic pollution is the possibility that the particles may accumulate harmful bacteria in the environment, then pass them on to us. Well, that capability could soon put the particles to work as sewage monitors.

Neighborhoods near golf courses are often considered desirable locations. However, a new study suggests that houses within a few miles of manicured fairways and greens may not be such hot property for your health and wellbeing.

A benzodiazepine seeping into waterways is causing young Atlantic salmon to behave strangely, with fish in the wild migrating more rapidly and taking more risks on their journey from river to ocean. It even seems to be messing up their social lives.

Wouldn't it be great if there were a way of chasing down waterborne microplastic particles and catching them for removal, as opposed to just passively filtering them out of water bodies? Well, new "microcleaners" can reportedly do that very thing.

Tea has already been shown to reduce depression, reduce the risk of diabetes, and possibly even extend its drinkers' lifespans. New research now indicates that tea also removes toxic heavy metals from the water in which it's being brewed.

IC engines have long received flack for how wasteful they are. That may soon change, as a team of researchers claims to have discovered the means of converting exhaust heat into energy, using a small device called a thermoelectric generator (TEG).

A decade after it was revealed, London's "super sewer" is now finally complete. The mega-project is expected to revolutionize the handling of waste in the British capital, boosting the capacity of its 150-year-old sewer system significantly.