October 20, 2021

Air Quality

Two women wear face masks on May 16th, 2019, in Mexico City, Mexico. Mexico City's air pollution has worsened as a consequence of high temperatures, lack of rain, and fires located around the city's valley, where people have been advised to stay indoors and avoid using their vehicles, and schools have been ordered to close.
Viewfinder

Viewfinder: Mexico City Declares an Environmental Alert as Smog Reaches Dangerous Levels

Two women wear face masks on May 16th, 2019, in Mexico City, Mexico.

Upper Ouzel Creek in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
News in Brief

Unhealthy Air and Hazy Skies: How Pollution Is Affecting National Parks

The National Parks Conservation Association's new report recommends mitigating pollution and transitioning to clean energy, with an emphasis on fair solutions.

Petroleum storage and refineries are seen in Deer Park, Texas, a city near Houston.
Key Takeaways

A Chemical Fire in Texas Has Been Extinguished, but Questions Over Safety Linger

Public officials and Texas' environmental regulator maintain that the chemicals released in the fire did not pose a health risk.

Paulina Cortes, a community activist from San Jose, gives a protective particulate mask to a farmworker in Stockton, California, on November 16th, 2018.
From the Archives

Though Wildfire Smoke Threatens Farmworkers' Health, Volunteers Are Being Blocked From Distributing Protective Masks

Amid hazardous air conditions in California, farm management is turning away volunteers attempting to hand out masks to farmworkers.

Fire trucks pass by approaching flames during the Carr fire near Whiskeytown, California, on July 27th, 2018.
Environment

California's Fires Are Affecting Cities' Air Quality Dozens of Miles Away

One idea for a long-term fix: Communities could designate clean air centers where residents can spend time in filtered air for free.

rain map during california wildires
Environment

The California Wildfires Could Continue Until Christmas

Without rain, high temperatures will keep the smoke coming—and could spur new fire growth.

Heavy smoke covers the seaside enclave of Mondos Beach beside the 101 highway as flames reach the coast during the Thomas wildfire near Ventura, California, on December 6th, 2017.
Environment

The Hazards of Breathing Wildfire Smoke

A conversation with an atmospheric chemist about the health risks posed to Californians by smoke from the Thomas Fire and Creek Fire.

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Social Justice

This Week in Report Cards

A round-up of news and research on rankings mostly pertaining to America.