Microplastic particles from road traffic rides the wind
A new study, recently published in Nature Communications, describes how microplastics from road traffic are transported to the oceans – and to remote regions such as the Arctic.
Want to join in on the NordicPATH?
The NordicPATH project aims to find new ways to include citizens in planning their cities for better air, more inclusive urban areas and a better climate.
Three NILU scientists in national reference groups in Horizon Europe
June 23rd, 2020: The Research Council of Norway has appointed three NILU scientists as members of various national reference groups in Horizon Europe. Horizon Europe is the EU’s ninth framework program for research and innovation, starting in 2021.
Covid-19 lockdown effect on global carbon dioxide levels: A needle in a haystack
So far, COVID-19 lockdowns have caused an estimated decrease in human carbon dioxide emissions of around 17%. While the overall impact will depend on the duration of the lockdowns, the current estimate is for an annual decrease of 4-7% assuming the COVID-19 lockdowns end in mid-June 2020.
The devil is in the details: Improving scientific methods to better regulate environmental contaminants from your shampoo
The environmental contaminants known as siloxanes are in your shampoo, your lotions and your deodorant. Siloxanes are odourless, invisible, and they can be toxic to aquatic animals. They are also heavily restricted in wash-off hygiene products, and further regulations are under consideration. But, how can we know that the regulations work?
ClairCity: Citizen-led air pollution reduction in cities
From the NILU Annual Report 2019: The ClairCity project aims to increase awareness about air pollution and carbon emissions in cities by looking at how people’s behaviour contributes to the problems. Unlike many other projects, ClairCity focuses on involving citizens in deciding on the best solutions, since citizens are among those ultimately affected by poor air quality and climate change.
A Greener Europe: NILU contributes through topic centres
From the NILU annual report 2019: With its “European Green Deal”, the new European Commission has initiated hectic activity to translate political visions into a climate-neutral Europe that ensures good lives for its citizens. This means that pan-European environmental and climate cooperation will play an increasingly important role.
The Leopard project opens up for new NILU services to industry
From the NILU Annual Report 2019: Road dust and wood burning are well-known sources of particulate matter in Norwegian cities, but industry and construction sites are also where workers may at times be exposed to high levels of particulate matter in their daily lives. In a new project, NILU has developed services that can provide more detailed information on real-time pollution levels in industrial workplaces.
RAVEN: Sharing air quality data across a growing number of borders
From the NILU Annual Report 2019: All EU countries must monitor and report air quality data to the European Environment Agency (EEA) in accordance with EU directives and standards. Every year, data on air quality zones, monitoring regimes, monitoring methods and “near real-time data” are reported, as well as environmental goals, plans and measures to comply with the limit values.
Measuring Black Carbon in the Arctic needs to become a higher priority
New report from NILU et.al: Measurements of black carbon (BC) in ambient air are important for quantifying atmospheric transport and effects of black carbon.
Can we recycle plastic without recycling the toxic pollutants as well? New NFR project PLASTCYC explores the options
Plastic production has increased twentyfold during the last 50 years, is expected to double again by 2035 – and quadruple by 2050. A lot of this plastic contains toxic chemicals and cannot be recycled into new products.
Why do polar bears hunting at sea have higher pollution levels than those staying on land?
Polar bears that hunt mainly in the sea have higher pollutant levels in their bodies than those staying on land during the sea ice free periods — but why? A new study in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology reports the likely reasons.
The greenhouse gas nitrous oxide is on the rise
Most of us know nitrous oxide as “laughing gas”, used for its anaesthetic effects. But nitrous oxide is also one of the main stratospheric ozone depleting substances – and we are releasing more of it into the atmosphere than previously thought.
Research on air currents and pollution in Pilestredet
On a scaffold high above the heads of the pedestrians at Pilestredet 47c and 48 in Oslo, sophisticated measuring instruments spent a few weeks characterising air currents and measuring various types of air pollution. The instruments were part of a project run by NILU – Norwegian Institute for Air Research, to obtain data on air flow patterns and how air pollution is distributed vertically.
Lead pollution in Arctic ice shows economic impact of wars, plagues, famines from Middle Ages to present
RENO, Nev. (June 28, 2019) – How did events like the Black Death plague impact the economy of Medieval Europe? Particles of lead trapped deep in Arctic ice can tell us.
Do we need water-repelling surfer shorts?
Scientists propose new framework to reduce harmful chemicals like PFAS added to consumer goods, and to phase out non-essentials
Greenhouse gas levels are constantly rising
The most important greenhouse gases monitored by NILU – The Norwegian Institute for Air Research continued to rise in 2017. Levels have now reached new records both at Svalbard and in Aust-Agder in Norway. Both CO2, methane and nitrous oxide continue to increase in both Southern Norway and Svalbard, and there is no sign of reduction or flattening in this trend.
New DiCaprio documentary, featuring NILU scientist, premiers at 2019 Cannes Film Festival
The feature documentary ICE ON FIRE focuses on the research behind today’s climate science. Scientists from NILU and CAGE appear in the film, which is produced and narrated by Oscar®-winner Leonardo DiCaprio.
NILU measures volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Chile
Over a period of 4 months, NILU has measured the concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air in the Chilean municipalities of Quintero-Puchuncaví and Concón in the Valparaíso region. The measurements were carried out on behalf of the Chilean Ministry of the Environment. So far, the measurement results show no sign that VOC emissions from the industrial area affect the air quality in neighbouring residential areas.
Mediciones de NILU de componentes orgánicos volátiles (COVs) en Chile
NILU ha realizado mediciones de compuestos orgánicos volátiles (COVs) durante un periodo de cuatro meses en los municipios de Quintero-Puchuncaví y Concón, ambos en la región de Valparaíso. Estas mediciones fueron comisionadas por el Ministerio de Medio Ambiente de Chile. Los resultados obtenidos hasta el momento no indican que las emisiones de COVs de la zona industrial afecten la calidad del aire en las áreas residenciales cercanas.
NILU hosts international workshop on risk governance of nanotechnology
Engineered nanomaterials (ENM) provide great opportunities for industry, but can have unpredictable consequences for health and the environment. This week, a project workshop in Oslo hosted by NILU will discuss risk governance related to ENM.
Models and observations agree on trends in atmospheric sulfur
In a new paper published in Scientific Reports today, scientists from NILU and other leading international partners show that global climate models are able to reliably calculate historical sulfur trends in accordance with observations.
NILU collaborates with Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology
Monday January 14 NILU arranged a seminar at Kjeller on Meteorological Education and Research. The seminar indicates the beginning of an academic cooperation with Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST).
Open seminar on environmental pollutants, January 11th 2019
NILU – Norwegian Institute for Air Research would like to invite all interested parties to the seminar “Environmental pollutants in the ambient air with a focus on poly and perfluorinated compounds”.