Environmental monitoring
The latest chemistry news and research on environmental monitoring, including analytical chemistry, remote sensing and water and air quality, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World
-
PodcastQuantum computing & a mysterious microplastic contaminant
How close are we to using quantum computers in our own labs? Plus, an unexpected source of contamination affecting microplastics research results.
-
ResearchLondon’s tap water contains PFAS, but at surprisingly low levels
Data from homes and public fountains across the UK’s capital show that treatment and dilution keep PFAS levels below current safety limits
-
ResearchLab glove deposits drive false microplastic signatures in atmospheric pollution samples
Researchers uncover contamination pathway that’s complicating efforts to understand how much plastic is in the air
-
NewsPaint manufacturers still putting consumers at risk in Mexico with sale of toxic lead paints
Over half of paints sold in the country contain unsafe levels of lead pigments, with some reaching up to 29% lead
-
ResearchIndustrial emissions of feedstock chemicals are hindering recovery of ozone layer
Emissions of certain ozone-depleting chemicals could delay the ozone layer’s recovery by six to 11 years
-
NewsEuropean Chemicals Agency backs EU-wide PFAS ban
Support for ban marks ‘major step’ at dealing with ‘forever chemicals’
-
NewsCalifornia finds no significant risk to human health from synthetic turf fields
After years of conflicting safety findings, the head of the state’s environmental hazard assessment office says this new study should ‘ease concerns’
-
NewsPFAS waxes found on skis and snowboards lead to three Olympic disqualifications
Athletes excluded for first time for materials doping with ‘forever chemicals’ since the prohibition took effect three years ago
-
OpinionProbing PFAS policies in the UK and EU
The UK has set out its approach to regulating fluorochemicals, and the EU has projected the savings from a proposed ban
-
NewsUK government sets out plan to tackle PFAS threat
Report accepts that regulation is needed, but warns transition away from PFAS will take time
-
ResearchCovid pandemic’s disruption of industrial activity drove surge in methane in early 2020s
Levels of methane-degrading radicals decreased as a knock-on effect of the pandemic
-
NewsHow air pollution is rewiring gut chemistry and fuelling chronic disease
The impact of air pollution on our bodies’ microbiomes is only just beginning to be uncovered
-
NewsPFAS spring new surprise as some are far more acidic than thought
The acid dissociation constants for some PFAS are significantly lower than past metrics have indicated, with implications for their persistence and spread
-
NewsUS EPA accused of skewing soil testing data after East Palestine disaster
Environmental Protection Agency will review decisions made during emergency response
-
NewsPlastic treaty negotiations go down to the wire
Capping production and limiting use of harmful chemicals are key topics for negotiators to consider
-
NewsThe UN’s new scientific panel on chemical pollution faces an uncertain future
While the panel’s creation was welcomed, experts and researchers express doubts about its ambitions and structure
-
NewsEPA will officially dissolve its scientific research arm
Experts warn that closing the Office of Research and Development will hamper efforts to protect the environment and public health
-
NewsLess than 1% of 300,000 environmentally relevant chemicals in the US have monitoring data
The actual number of chemicals tracked may be even lower
-
ResearchHigh hydrogen sulfide levels blight lives of residents around Salton Sea in California
Concentrations of gas found to be underestimated and exceed local air quality standards
-
NewsPFAS regulations for US drinking water are being dismantled after just a year
EPA delays enforcement of levels set for PFOA and PFOS, and rescinds them for four other PFAS