Human Exposure and Public Health

In the most recent IPCC report, scientists have concluded that global warming is likely to reach 1.5o C between 2030 and 2052, if it continues to increase at the current rate. To curb this warming, and the host of environmental plagues with it, we must completely halt our carbon emissions by 2050. That’s 30 years. But who is actually on the front-lines of climate change? And why do some people draw parallels between climate change and inequality? Is the key to all of this solving both at the same time?

Case Studies Cities Climate Human Exposure and Public Health

Science by Bicycle: A novel study of urban heat

May 29, 2019June 1, 2019 Andrew Trlica 0 Comments meteorology, urban climate, urban heat island, urban landscapes

A new study used a bicycle-mounted temperature sensor to measure heat extremes across urban Madison, WI — and investigate options for keeping cities cool.

Cities Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

A Walk in the Park: Green Space in Childhood Good for Mental Health

April 30, 2019May 1, 2019 Munim Deen 0 Comments childhood health, green space, mental health, urban landscapes

Teaser: Parks and other green spaces have long been known to benefit general physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Recent research shows that having green space around one’s home in childhood is associated with lower risk of psychiatric disorders as an adult. This finding shows the importance of residential green space in promoting lifelong mental health.

Cities Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

Get the Lead Out: Lessons Learned from Flint, MI

April 12, 2019April 12, 2019 Michaela Cashman 0 Comments drinking water, infrastucture, lead

April marks the five-year anniversary of the drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan. For the past five years, the United States has watched the repercussions of polluted drinking water wreak havoc on the City of Flint. What have scientists learned since then? Read on for an abridged understanding of the crisis and learn how one researcher is utilizing the data for good.

Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

Dung Beetles and Soil Bacteria Promote Food Safety.

April 10, 2019 Aidan Barry 0 Comments agriculture, ecology and society, environmental science

Having a diverse farm benefits everyone Not only will the soils be richer and the number of different crops grow higher but also diversity may also potentially be safer. By limiting the use of pesticides and maintaining various landscapes throughout a farmland, organic farming increases the number of insects, namely beetles, and bacteria that help break down potential pathogens before they infiltrate the growing crops. Jones and colleagues examined 70 vegetable fields throughout California and conducted several laboratory experiments to find that organic farms had richer, more diverse communities of beetles and soil bacteria that help breakdown foodborne pathogens.

Human Exposure and Public Health

Oil Spills are a Black Mark on Health

March 28, 2019March 28, 2019 Kristina Blank 0 Comments clean up, Deepwater Horizon, environmental health, exposure science, Gulf Study, heart attack, oil spill, Pollution, public health

The thought of oil spills conjures up images of marine disasters–wildlife smothered in slick sludge and thick black smoke. But what are the human health consequences to the brave men and women who respond and work to clean up these messes? New research examines the potential impact of oil spill response work on risk of heart attack in those who clean up after the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health Remote Environments

Animal Depopulation Due to Armed Conflict Can Drastically Alter Ecosystems For Decades

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019 Munim Deen 0 Comments Africa, Conflict, ecosystems, War

Armed conflict is one of the least-studied human activities that drastically affect the environment. A recent paper looks into the major changes in animal population patterns in Mozambique following decades of devastating war.

Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health Toxicology

Down the drain: What man-made products are in our waterways?

March 11, 2019March 12, 2019 Brittany Maule 0 Comments Pollution, Wastewater, water, water quality

Humans use thousands of pharmaceutical and personal care products in any given day. What happens to these products after we use them? The unfortunate answer is that many of them end up in our waterways. Population size and land use may help us predict what products we can see in a waterbody. If we know what products are out there, we could better understand what effects these products can have on aquatic ecosystems and human health.

Climate Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

Shopping local…for energy?

February 25, 2019March 4, 2019 Kristen Brown 0 Comments air quality, energy, health, oil and gas

The US has been producing more energy from its own natural resources in recent years. This is good for energy costs, but is it good for our health? Computer simulations can help figure it out.

Climate Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

Cutting through the doom and gloom – how psychology can be used to promote climate action

February 8, 2019February 9, 2019 Pernilla Borgstrom 0 Comments climate action, climate anxiety, climate change communication, psychology

Do you feel overwhelmed by the apocalyptic scenarios presented in news related to climate change? You’re not alone! The fact that so many people feel hopeless about the prospects of halting climate change can put a spoke in the wheel of any efforts to inspire broad, public involvement in climate action. But by factoring in human psychology, climate change communicators can strike an optimally motivating balance between hope and fear.

← Previous