pollution

White Graphene: The New Supermaterial That Sucks Up Pollution

There’s a new supermaterial in town, and while it might be known as white graphene, it doesn’t contain a single atom of carbon. But that doesn’t make the new form of boron nitride any less useful — because it can suck chemicals and oil out of contaminated water in a jiffy.


This Giant Mesh Wall Acts Like An Air Filter For Mexico City

The best way to deal with smog is to make less of it, but it’s too late to just do that. And when it comes to cleaning up your already polluted air, mesh structures like this one in Mexico City are a stylish way to filter a whole city’s worth of air.


Pollution Might Shrink Your Penis, Say Otters

Otter penises are shrinking thanks to pollution, and you should definitely freak out, because the trend might affect humans too. The connection requires further investigation, but the study notes that humans and animals are exposed to many of the same chemicals on a daily basis.


“Breathing Bike” Protects Riders Against Ominous Beijing Air

Beijing’s smog problem isn’t exactly new information, but it’s been getting way worse lately. In response, local artist Matt Hope decided to integrate an air purifier into his bike so riding around the city would be less hazardous.



Beijing Is Choking On Smog

Beijing is choking — as these two pictures vividly demonstrate. On the right is the city’s skyline on Monday; on the left the same view on February 4, 2012. The suffocating smog is not just bad for health, it may also have a more potent effect on climate change than previously thought.


The Greenest Street In America Is Paved With Smog-Eating Cement

Cars create a lot of pollution, but one in Chicago doesn’t just give them free passage; it also cleans up after itself. This street’s special pavement actually feeds on smog.


Will Garbage Bins That Charge Per Use Just Encourage Littering?

The Netherlands is rolling out some 6000 smart garbage cans that can only be used when residents scan an RFID-enabled ID card. Besides monitoring just how much rubbish people throw away, the bins will also measure and charge the user based on how much refuse they tossed.


Algae-Powered Pods Provide Fresh Air In An Otherwise Polluted Environment

In what is becoming an increasingly polluted world, Chlorella, a portable, pod-shaped, air-purifying pavilion prototype (yes, all those p-words were in fact necessary), offers an oasis of fresh air in a zen-like and environmentally-friendly setting.


Carnivorous Plants Are Becoming Vegetarian Because Of Pollution

Carnivorous plant, such as the Venus flytrap, are apparently becoming less bug-eating and more root-using because of the pollution humans cause. Nitrogen in the air is giving them enough nutrients that they don’t need to eat as many bugs.