Particulates

Air quality levels have been bad in Accra since December as harmattan season kicks in across Ghana. The data coming in shows the situation is not improving.

Hazy skies over Accra: Harsh harmattan season in Ghana leads to health hazards, poor air quality

Climate Change

Severe, dry winds during the harmattan season are not new in Ghana. But experts with the country’s environmental agency say climate change is intensifying these weather conditions, leading to increased respiratory problems and poor air quality in Accra, the country’s capital. 

Air pollution in Tehran on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012.

New WHO air pollution standards could save millions of lives each year

Health & Medicine
In this July 27, 2018, photo the Dave Johnson coal-fired power plant is silhouetted against the morning sun.

Fossil fuels cause 1 in 5 premature deaths worldwide, study says

Environment
Los Angeles smog

Prior exposure to air pollution increases risk of death from COVID-19, new research suggests

Air pollution in China

Air pollution is a silent killer, even when it meets EPA standards

Health & Medicine
London residents take a stroll in Hyde Park on an autumn day. A new study showed that taking walks in a park setting may be much more beneficial than a similar walk on a crowded city street.

When it comes to walking in a park or down a city street, a study finds not all exercise is created equal

Lifestyle

It’s always been said that a long walk is good for you, but a new study shows the importance of where you take that walk can play when it comes to health benefits.

China smog

What deteriorating air quality looks like around the world

Environment

The Chinese government announced Monday that it plans to take more than five million vehicles off the road to improve air quality, including 330,000 cars in Beijing. This announcement comes only weeks after the World Health Organization announced that only 12 percent of cities reporting on air quality meet their standards for safe levels. With the help of our newsroom designers, we put together a list of places recently affected by deteriorating air quality and incidents of smog.The Chinese government announced Monday that it plans to take more than five million vehicles off the road to improve air quality, including 330,000 cars in Beijing. This announcement comes only weeks after the World Health Organization announced that only 12 percent of cities reporting on air quality meet their standards for safe levels. With the help of our newsroom designers, we put together a list of places recently affected by deteriorating air quality and incidents of smog.

A cyclist wears a mask as he cycles near Buckingham Palace in London April 2, 2014. Britain's Meteorological Office forecast that London would be affected by smog this week, caused by powerful dust storms and strong winds in the Sahara.

London commuters deal with a new hardship — clouds of African dust

Environment

Londoners woke up to a surprise this morning — clouds of Saharan dust. It was an unwelcome complication for busy Londoners heading off to work and school.Londoners woke up to a surprise this morning — clouds of Saharan dust. It was an unwelcome complication for busy Londoners heading off to work and school.

An electronic sign above a Paris highway on March 17 reads "Road traffic forbidden for even-numbered license plates." Public transportation was free and drivers of cars with even-numbered license plates faced fines as authorities sought to reduce air poll

As the air clears in Paris, here’s a look beyond the smog emergency

Environment

The air is clearing again in Paris after a smog emergency led the government to take extraordinary measures to get people out of their cars.

An electronic sign above a Paris highway on March 17 reads "Road traffic forbidden for even-numbered license plates." Public transportation was free and drivers of cars with even-numbered license plates faced fines as authorities sought to reduce air poll

As the air clears in Paris, here’s a look beyond the smog emergency

Environment

The air is clearing again in Paris after a smog emergency led the government to take extraordinary measures to get people out of their cars.