Air Pollution

A study finds stacking bricks differently could help this country fight air pollution

Jonathan Lambert

Bangladesh suffers from extreme air pollution, but a new study shows the brick industry can make small changes to have a big effect on the country's smog problem.

An overhead view of a factory emitting white smoke. The surrounding area is hazy.

Energy & Environment

UNC study shows future air quality measures may need to be more localized, researchers find

Sophie Mallinson

While new national clean air protections are in place, a UNC-Chapel Hill study looked at how the chemical composition of air pollution has changed across time and space.

Health

It's a Code Orange air quality day across North Carolina. Here's what you can do to stay safe

Ely Portillo

Smoke pouring south from Canadian wildfires is still smudging the skies with a dull haze Thursday across the Charlotte region. People who are vulnerable to poor air quality — children, people with asthma and other breathing conditions, and the elderly — need to stay aware and take precautions, experts say.

Trucks and cars are the main source of pollutants that affect the Charlotte region's air quality.

Energy & Environment

Report gives Mecklenburg an 'F' on air quality, but it's improving

David Boraks

Mecklenburg County got an "F" on an annual national report card of air quality released Wednesday. But there's actually a positive side to the story.

The Advanced Clean Trucks rule would apply to medium and heavy duty trucks like this electric Ford F-650 tested in 2021 by Roush Industries in Concord.

Energy & Environment

Speakers raise concerns about state's shift to electric trucks

David Boraks

People who operate truck fleets will be on the front lines if North Carolina adopts rules this year to get more electric trucks and buses on state roads. In Charlotte Friday, state environmental officials heard some of their concerns about cost, evolving technology, and charging.

The New-Indy Containerboard plant in Catawba, S.C.

Energy & Environment

South Carolina paper mill says it 'let the community down' with emissions

Nick de la Canal

The manager of the New Indy Containerboard paper mill in Catawba, South Carolina, says the plant let down the community when it produced elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide in 2021, creating a foul odor that sickened residents and permeated homes and buildings in York County and the surrounding area.

South Carolina

EPA proposes big fine, improvement plan for York County paper plant accused of foul odors

Woody Cain

The EPA has recommended a $1.1 million fine for a Charlotte-area paper mill after multiple complaints from people in the York County, South Carolina, area about foul odors stemming from the New-Indy Catawba plant.

Energy & Environment

It’s Art And It’s Air Pollution: Particle Falls Returns To Charlotte

Michael Falero

An art installation that visualizes pollution in the air we breathe returns to Charlotte this weekend for a month-long residency.It’s called Particle…

City Council member Dimple Ajmera joined others Tuesday calling for the Trump Administration to cancel a planned rollback of vehicle emissions rules.

Energy & Environment

Groups Call On EPA To Keep Strict Rules For Vehicle Pollution

David Boraks

Charlotte environmental activists and public officials on Tuesday called on the Trump administration to cancel its planned rollback of U.S. clean car…

Environmental groups tracked logs that were cut from North Carolina forests to Enviva's plants.

Energy & Environment

Wood Pellet Producer Agrees To Add Pollution Controls At 2 Plants

David Boraks

A big producer of wood pellets has agreed to install pollution controls at two pellet plants, in Richmond and Sampson counties.Maryland-based Enviva…