Pollution

What you need to know about the gases, toxins, and garbage that make their way into water, air, and land.

Latest in Pollution

Dragonfly resting on flower

Animals

Dragonflies reveal how toxic mercury moves in nature Dragonflies reveal how toxic mercury moves in nature

WIPP site in New Mexico

Climate Change

Finding a forever home for nuclear waste Finding a forever home for nuclear waste

By Sarah Scoles/Undark

Best air quality monitors sliced header

Appliances

The best air quality monitors for 2024, according to experts The best air quality monitors for 2024, according to experts

By John Alexander

Golden Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) in the Red Sea, Egypt

Climate Change

Mass extinction 183 million years ago offers dire warning for modern oceans Mass extinction 183 million years ago offers dire warning for modern oceans

AI

Ocean trash can now be tracked from space Ocean trash can now be tracked from space

Microplastic pile close-up

Climate Change

Every human semen sample contained microplastics in new study Every human semen sample contained microplastics in new study

Close-up of three cows

Agriculture

Cow poop might make cleaner hydrogen gas a reality Cow poop might make cleaner hydrogen gas a reality

The best air purifiers for smoke on a plain white background.

Climate Change

The best air purifiers for smoke in 2024, tested and reviewed The best air purifiers for smoke in 2024, tested and reviewed

By Terri Williams

Private jet on tarmac at sunset

Aviation

Tracking private jets just got much harder Tracking private jets just got much harder

Factory worker overseeing steel forge

Climate Change

Zero-emission ‘electric cement’ is an ‘absolute miracle’ Zero-emission ‘electric cement’ is an ‘absolute miracle’

Small Plastic pellets on blue cloth

Animals

Every human testicle contained microplastics in a new study Every human testicle contained microplastics in a new study

A lineup of the best air purifiers on a white background

Appliances

The best air purifiers so you can breathe easy in 2024 The best air purifiers so you can breathe easy in 2024

By Stacey L. Nash, Amanda Reed, Brandt Ranj

Project 821 hydrogen fuel superyacht in port

Climate Change

Welcome aboard the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell superyacht Welcome aboard the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell superyacht

Shoe made from bacterial cellulose

Animals

Would you wear this ‘shoe-like vessel’ made from genetically engineered bacteria? Would you wear this ‘shoe-like vessel’ made from genetically engineered bacteria?

High traffic road with signs and light trails on sunset

Climate Change

EPA says over half of all new cars must be EVs or hybrids by 2032 EPA says over half of all new cars must be EVs or hybrids by 2032

scientist working on compostable plastics collage with mushrooms

Climate Change

What will it take to make truly compostable plastic? What will it take to make truly compostable plastic?

By Boyce Upholt / Knowable Magazine

Plastic makers lied about recycling for decades. What do we do next?

Climate Change

Plastic makers lied about recycling for decades. What do we do next? Plastic makers lied about recycling for decades. What do we do next?

MethaneSAT concept art above Earth

AI

A new AI-powered satellite will create Google Maps for methane pollution A new AI-powered satellite will create Google Maps for methane pollution

Photo illustration of hawkmoth navigating to flower during vehicle exhaust emission.

Animals

Air pollution messes with moths’ ability to smell flowers Air pollution messes with moths’ ability to smell flowers

By Lauren Leffer

Abandoned car in aluminum red mud spill

Climate Change

Aluminum’s notorious, toxic red mud could one day help make ‘green steel’ Aluminum’s notorious, toxic red mud could one day help make ‘green steel’