Understanding the Science

During a wildfire, smoke can significantly impact outdoor air quality, making it unsafe to breathe. Local officials may recommend staying indoors during a smoke event, but be aware that smoke can still infiltrate your home and affect indoor air quality. If you are...

Air cleaners can help reduce the health effects of certain airborne particles, such as dust and light spray mists, by removing small solid or liquid substances suspended in the air. Under optimal conditions, some air cleaners are effective at removing respirable-size...

The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating measures a filter's effectiveness at capturing particles ranging from 0.3 to 10 microns in size. Developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), this rating...

A HEPA filter, which stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air filter, is a highly effective type of air filter designed to capture airborne particles. Officially defined by the U.S. Department of Energy, a true HEPA filter can remove at least 99.97% of particles as...

As summer continues, the US is grappling with its most significant COVID-19 surge since July 2022. According to the CDC’s wastewater dashboard, levels of viral activity in wastewater have reached their highest point for a summer wave since that time. On August 10, the...

Older Populations Might Be More Protected Than Younger Ones As the H5N1 bird-flu virus spreads relentlessly in animals worldwide, researchers seeking to understand how a human H5N1 pandemic might unfold have turned to a rich source of clues: data on the immune...

What to Know H5N1 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows with four recent human cases in U.S. dairy workers. While the current public health risk is low, the CDC is watching the situation carefully and...

Hurricane Beryl's explosive and record-breaking debut for the 2024 hurricane season has raised significant concerns among weather experts about what lies ahead. "It's a hugely ominous start to the season," stated Steve Bowen, Chief Science Officer at Gallagher Re, a...

Allergies are commonly associated with sneezing, runny noses, and itchy eyes. However, recent research suggests that the impact of allergies goes beyond physical symptoms, potentially affecting mental health. While it might seem surprising, there is a growing body of...

At least one person has died as wildfires continue to ravage New Mexico, officials reported on Tuesday. The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management confirmed the fatality but did not provide additional details. The wildfires have swept...

A massive wildfire, fueled by strong winds, has scorched nearly 15,000 acres north of Los Angeles, while another blaze has ravaged Sonoma County, north of San Francisco. Post Fire The Post Fire, California's first significant wildfire of the year, ignited on Saturday...

Chemicals released during the East Palestine train wreck fires in February 2023 in Ohio spread across 16 US states, according to new research analyzing federal precipitation and pollution data. Widespread Contamination Rain and snow samples collected from northern...