Axios | Des Moines has experienced a 7% rise in fine particle pollution over the past decade, bucking national trends of air quality improvement. Experts link the worsening air to wildfires, industrial emissions, and regulatory rollbacks, raising public health concerns across Iowa.

The Energy Law Blog | Several environmental groups have filed a lawsuit challenging Louisiana’s Community Air Monitoring Reliability Act, arguing it violates their First Amendment rights and is preempted by the federal Clean Air Act. The suit claims the law unfairly restricts how community organizations can collect and share air quality data, while exempting industry from similar constraints.

The Guardian | A dust storm driven by drought and cold front winds swept through parts of inland Australia into Sydney, causing “extremely poor” air quality in multiple regions on Tuesday. Health officials warned of high PM10 particle levels, urging residents—especially vulnerable groups—to limit outdoor activity and take precautions such as wearing masks and sealing windows.

FBC News | The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is enhancing nationwide pollution oversight through increased lab testing, staffing, and local infrastructure like trash booms. A phased budget will support in-house testing capabilities and collaboration with local governments to improve waste collection and landfill management.

Asian Development Bank | Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is a major public health concern, linked to increased risks of cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurodegenerative diseases. While traditional monitoring methods are costly, a new deep learning approach using traffic camera images offers a promising low-cost, scalable solution for real-time TRAP assessment, especially in resource-limited settings.

GeneOnline | A study from USC’s Keck School of Medicine found that changes in BMI during adolescence may mediate the link between air pollution exposure and insulin resistance. The results suggest that air pollution could influence adolescent BMI, thereby increasing the risk of developing insulin resistance and potentially type 2 diabetes.

Pittsburgh Union Progress | Pittsburgh filmmaker Mark Dixon is previewing his long-awaited documentary Inversion: The Unfinished Business of Pittsburgh’s Air, which explores regional air pollution through personal stories, technological activism, and industrial transitions. The film, now in a rough cut stage, draws from years of community engagement and environmental monitoring, and will be screened online on May 27 for public feedback ahead of its final edit.

My Prince George Now | The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George has entered a $5,900-per-year agreement with the Prince George Air Quality Monitoring Society to support local air monitoring from 2025 to 2026. Additionally, the district approved over $69,000 in endowment grants and numerous community and recreation grants to fund equipment, infrastructure, and environmental projects across several local areas.

Inside Climate News | Researchers from a multi-university consortium are conducting an extensive 10-year study of environmental health risks following the January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles, focusing on water, air, soil, and indoor contamination in homes near the burn zones. Early findings show elevated indoor VOCs and chlorine in water supplies, prompting real-time health recommendations and efforts to establish long-term monitoring and community safety.

Stuff | After two decades of targeted efforts, Rotorua has officially shed its “polluted” airshed status, marking a major victory in winter air quality improvement. Through grants, loans, and strict bylaws replacing smoky home heaters, the city halved estimated early deaths from air pollution and significantly reduced health and social costs — though upcoming PM2.5 standards may pose new challenges.

Axios | Des Moines has experienced a 7% rise in fine particle pollution over the past decade, bucking national trends of air quality improvement. Experts link the worsening air to wildfires, industrial emissions, and regulatory rollbacks, raising public health concerns across Iowa.

The Energy Law Blog | Several environmental groups have filed a lawsuit challenging Louisiana’s Community Air Monitoring Reliability Act, arguing it violates their First Amendment rights and is preempted by the federal Clean Air Act. The suit claims the law unfairly restricts how community organizations can collect and share air quality data, while exempting industry from similar constraints.

The Guardian | A dust storm driven by drought and cold front winds swept through parts of inland Australia into Sydney, causing “extremely poor” air quality in multiple regions on Tuesday. Health officials warned of high PM10 particle levels, urging residents—especially vulnerable groups—to limit outdoor activity and take precautions such as wearing masks and sealing windows.

FBC News | The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is enhancing nationwide pollution oversight through increased lab testing, staffing, and local infrastructure like trash booms. A phased budget will support in-house testing capabilities and collaboration with local governments to improve waste collection and landfill management.

Asian Development Bank | Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is a major public health concern, linked to increased risks of cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurodegenerative diseases. While traditional monitoring methods are costly, a new deep learning approach using traffic camera images offers a promising low-cost, scalable solution for real-time TRAP assessment, especially in resource-limited settings.

GeneOnline | A study from USC’s Keck School of Medicine found that changes in BMI during adolescence may mediate the link between air pollution exposure and insulin resistance. The results suggest that air pollution could influence adolescent BMI, thereby increasing the risk of developing insulin resistance and potentially type 2 diabetes.

Pittsburgh Union Progress | Pittsburgh filmmaker Mark Dixon is previewing his long-awaited documentary Inversion: The Unfinished Business of Pittsburgh’s Air, which explores regional air pollution through personal stories, technological activism, and industrial transitions. The film, now in a rough cut stage, draws from years of community engagement and environmental monitoring, and will be screened online on May 27 for public feedback ahead of its final edit.

My Prince George Now | The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George has entered a $5,900-per-year agreement with the Prince George Air Quality Monitoring Society to support local air monitoring from 2025 to 2026. Additionally, the district approved over $69,000 in endowment grants and numerous community and recreation grants to fund equipment, infrastructure, and environmental projects across several local areas.

Inside Climate News | Researchers from a multi-university consortium are conducting an extensive 10-year study of environmental health risks following the January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles, focusing on water, air, soil, and indoor contamination in homes near the burn zones. Early findings show elevated indoor VOCs and chlorine in water supplies, prompting real-time health recommendations and efforts to establish long-term monitoring and community safety.

Stuff | After two decades of targeted efforts, Rotorua has officially shed its “polluted” airshed status, marking a major victory in winter air quality improvement. Through grants, loans, and strict bylaws replacing smoky home heaters, the city halved estimated early deaths from air pollution and significantly reduced health and social costs — though upcoming PM2.5 standards may pose new challenges.