Latest Haze Stories

Brett Smith for RedOrbit.com Activity of the bark beetle is having an impact on both air quality and climate, according to a new report from a team of American scientists published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. Evidence of the beetle’s impact can be seen in the lodgepole pine forests of the western United States. Many of the trees there are dying or ravaged by the beetles and a faint haze of particulate matter can be seen throughout the area. Air samples...

Haze, scientifically known as atmospheric aerosols - microscopic particles suspended in the Earth's atmosphere - represents a major environmental problem because it degrades visibility, affects human health and influences the climate. Despite its profound impacts, how the haze is formed is not fully understood, says a Texas A&M University professor of atmospheric sciences and chemistry who has studied air chemistry for more than 20 years.Professor Renyi Zhang published his work in the...

Pollen counts are hovering at record levels in the United States. A massive plume of ash "” released by a volcano with a tongue-twister of a name "” is causing havoc across Europe. Parts of the Himalayas are bathed in soot levels comparable to those found over major cities. Details about all of those events "” and much more "” are available from the Smog Blog, a website that monitors air pollution much like meteorologists track the daily weather. The blog, managed by faculty and...

"Blue haze," a common occurrence that appears over heavily forested areas around the world, is formed by natural emissions of chemicals, but human activities can worsen it to the point of affecting the world's weather and even cause potential climate problems, according to a study led by a Texas A&M University researcher.Renyi Zhang, professor of atmospheric sciences who has studied air chemistry for more than 20 years, says blue haze (tiny particles or aerosols suspended in the air) can...

Particulate air pollution during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing constantly exceeded levels considered excessive by the World Health Organization, was far worse than other recent Olympic Games, and was about 30 percent higher than has been reported by Chinese environmental experts "“ even though some favorable weather conditions helped reduce the problem.The weather, in fact, turned out to be more valuable in addressing this concern than major programs by the Chinese government to heavily...

Global warming may include some periods of local cooling, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley. Results from satellite and ground-based sensor data show that sweltering summers can, paradoxically, lead to the temporary formation of a cooling haze in the southeastern United States.The study, to be published the week of May 18 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that when manmade pollutants mix with the natural...

"HAZE," a full-length documentary film examining the college drinking culture in America, including the 2004 death of college freshman Gordie Bailey following a fraternity hazing incident at the University of Colorado, will make its World Premiere at the 16th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival in East Hampton, New York. Screenings will be held on Thursday, October 16, at 7 p.m. and Friday, October 17, at 9 p.m. at United Artists Cinema 3 (30 Main Street in East Hampton, NY, 11937)....

A University of Colorado-Boulder study suggests U.S. air quality regulations may not effectively target a large source of fine, organic particle pollutants. Researchers said they've determined a much smaller percentage of pollutants from vehicles and industrial processes is to blame for the organic haze seen over many larger cities. Instead, 75 percent of the fine, organic particulate pollutants form from reactive gases called VOCs -- or volatile organic compounds -- when they are oxidized...

By BILL MCKEOWN California has given us many wonderful things: Sonny and Cher. Body waxing. "The Real Housewives of Orange County." On Friday -- and continuing through next week -- California is giving us something not quite so delightful: haze. Smoke from more than 40 lightning-sparked fires in north-central California has been blown our way by typical west-to-east wind flows, said meteorologist Steve Hodanish of the U.S. Weather Service in Pueblo. He said forecast simulations indicate...

BEIJING -- After three days of grimly gray, hazy skies, the delicate sound of thunder early this morning accompanied overnight rain in the host city of the 2008 Olympic Games. And as dawn lifted, residents, athletes and Olympic visitors were greeted by the sight of still grimly gray and only slightly less hazy skies. With 10 days remaining until the Aug. 8 Opening Ceremony, the quality of Beijing's environment is re-emerging as an issue of concern, and authorities are considering emergency...