The Cool Down | Reuters has reported that the EPA, under new leadership appointed by President Donald Trump, has dismantled its diversity, equity, and environmental justice programs, withdrawn lawsuits like one against a synthetic rubber plant in Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley,” and canceled nearly 800 grants aimed at supporting marginalized communities. Experts warn these rollbacks will disproportionately harm Black and Hispanic populations who already face elevated pollution exposure and cancer risk due to historical discrimination and proximity to toxic industrial sites.

NPR | A new study published in Science shows that simple, low-cost changes to brick kiln operations in Bangladesh—such as altering brick stacking patterns and improving fuel timing—can cut coal use by 23% and reduce air pollution by 20%. With 8,000+ kilns contributing up to 40% of the country’s air pollution, scaling these interventions could significantly improve public health and environmental quality, while also saving kiln operators tens of thousands of dollars annually.

ScienceDirect.com | A new study of nearly 29,000 Chinese participants over three years found that both fine particulate matter (PM1 and PM2.5) and outdoor artificial light at night (ALAN) significantly increase the risk of developing diabetes, with evidence of synergistic effects when individuals are co-exposed. The risks were especially pronounced in older adults, unmarried individuals, and varied by region—northern residents were more sensitive to air pollutants, while southern residents were more affected by ALAN—emphasizing the need for integrated environmental health policies.

Cure Today | In the wake of the American Lung Association’s 2025 “State of the Air” report, an oncologist from Oncologists United for Climate and Health warns that proposed EPA budget cuts and pollution rollbacks could significantly increase cancer rates, particularly lung cancer caused by air pollution. Highlighting patient stories and scientific data, she urges the public to defend clean air programs, emphasizing that air pollution is a Class 1 carcinogen responsible for thousands of preventable deaths.

Brighton Today.ca | Ontario’s allergy season has arrived earlier and more intensely than usual, with rising tree pollen levels and fluctuating temperatures making life difficult for residents with seasonal allergies. Daniel Coates of Aerobiology Research Laboratories attributes worsening symptoms to climate change and encourages Ontarians to check daily pollen forecasts at pollenexperts.ca for relief strategies and updates.

NBC News | Boxtown, a historic Black neighborhood in South Memphis, is pushing back against Elon Musk’s xAI facility, which locals fear will worsen air pollution due to its methane gas turbines. While city officials tout the tech development as an economic boon, residents — citing a long history of environmental injustice — demand transparency and safeguards, as the Shelby County Health Department considers xAI’s emissions permit.

Healio | A large South Korean study found that higher exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) before COVID-19 hospitalization significantly increased the odds of in-hospital mortality, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation. Each 1 μg/m³ rise in PM2.5 or PM10 elevated the risks across all age groups, underscoring the need for intensified care for COVID-19 patients from polluted areas.

WDSU | Nearly half of Americans now live in areas with unhealthy air, a sharp increase driven largely by wildfire smoke and climate-related pollution, according to the American Lung Association’s 2025 report. The rollback of environmental protections and inadequate monitoring in most U.S. counties further threaten public health, especially among vulnerable groups like children, older adults, and communities of color.

Statesman Journal | Coffin Butte Landfill’s proposed air quality permit would allow significantly increased emissions of particulate matter while capping greenhouse gases for the first time, as required by updated federal and state regulations. The Oregon DEQ is seeking public input and will hold a virtual hearing on May 20, amid broader scrutiny involving landfill expansion plans, health complaints, and an ongoing EPA investigation into methane leaks.

AZCentral | A series of images spanning nearly two decades captures persistent haze and smog enveloping Phoenix, often worsened by wildfires, temperature inversions, and vehicle emissions. Despite ongoing efforts, the Valley of the Sun continues to struggle with air quality challenges, frequently falling short of EPA ozone standards.

The Cool Down | Reuters has reported that the EPA, under new leadership appointed by President Donald Trump, has dismantled its diversity, equity, and environmental justice programs, withdrawn lawsuits like one against a synthetic rubber plant in Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley,” and canceled nearly 800 grants aimed at supporting marginalized communities. Experts warn these rollbacks will disproportionately harm Black and Hispanic populations who already face elevated pollution exposure and cancer risk due to historical discrimination and proximity to toxic industrial sites.

NPR | A new study published in Science shows that simple, low-cost changes to brick kiln operations in Bangladesh—such as altering brick stacking patterns and improving fuel timing—can cut coal use by 23% and reduce air pollution by 20%. With 8,000+ kilns contributing up to 40% of the country’s air pollution, scaling these interventions could significantly improve public health and environmental quality, while also saving kiln operators tens of thousands of dollars annually.

ScienceDirect.com | A new study of nearly 29,000 Chinese participants over three years found that both fine particulate matter (PM1 and PM2.5) and outdoor artificial light at night (ALAN) significantly increase the risk of developing diabetes, with evidence of synergistic effects when individuals are co-exposed. The risks were especially pronounced in older adults, unmarried individuals, and varied by region—northern residents were more sensitive to air pollutants, while southern residents were more affected by ALAN—emphasizing the need for integrated environmental health policies.

Cure Today | In the wake of the American Lung Association’s 2025 “State of the Air” report, an oncologist from Oncologists United for Climate and Health warns that proposed EPA budget cuts and pollution rollbacks could significantly increase cancer rates, particularly lung cancer caused by air pollution. Highlighting patient stories and scientific data, she urges the public to defend clean air programs, emphasizing that air pollution is a Class 1 carcinogen responsible for thousands of preventable deaths.

Brighton Today.ca | Ontario’s allergy season has arrived earlier and more intensely than usual, with rising tree pollen levels and fluctuating temperatures making life difficult for residents with seasonal allergies. Daniel Coates of Aerobiology Research Laboratories attributes worsening symptoms to climate change and encourages Ontarians to check daily pollen forecasts at pollenexperts.ca for relief strategies and updates.

NBC News | Boxtown, a historic Black neighborhood in South Memphis, is pushing back against Elon Musk’s xAI facility, which locals fear will worsen air pollution due to its methane gas turbines. While city officials tout the tech development as an economic boon, residents — citing a long history of environmental injustice — demand transparency and safeguards, as the Shelby County Health Department considers xAI’s emissions permit.

Healio | A large South Korean study found that higher exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) before COVID-19 hospitalization significantly increased the odds of in-hospital mortality, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation. Each 1 μg/m³ rise in PM2.5 or PM10 elevated the risks across all age groups, underscoring the need for intensified care for COVID-19 patients from polluted areas.

WDSU | Nearly half of Americans now live in areas with unhealthy air, a sharp increase driven largely by wildfire smoke and climate-related pollution, according to the American Lung Association’s 2025 report. The rollback of environmental protections and inadequate monitoring in most U.S. counties further threaten public health, especially among vulnerable groups like children, older adults, and communities of color.

Statesman Journal | Coffin Butte Landfill’s proposed air quality permit would allow significantly increased emissions of particulate matter while capping greenhouse gases for the first time, as required by updated federal and state regulations. The Oregon DEQ is seeking public input and will hold a virtual hearing on May 20, amid broader scrutiny involving landfill expansion plans, health complaints, and an ongoing EPA investigation into methane leaks.

AZCentral | A series of images spanning nearly two decades captures persistent haze and smog enveloping Phoenix, often worsened by wildfires, temperature inversions, and vehicle emissions. Despite ongoing efforts, the Valley of the Sun continues to struggle with air quality challenges, frequently falling short of EPA ozone standards.