As students return to school and cold and flu season begins, researchers are studying ways to improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of airborne disease transmission. A study in ACS ES&T Air reports test results of do-it-yourself (DIY) air filters, known as Corsi-Rosenthal Boxes, in university class sessions. The units reduced particulate matter across the occupied classroom by 61%, produced minimal noise, and were more affordable than commercial portable air purifiers.

A research team found that scent compounds in household cleaning products — conventional and botanical essential oil-based — quickly react in the air, forming invisible nanoparticles that can travel deep into the lungs if inhaled. Several simple changes can reduce a person’s exposure while cleaning. The researchers will present their results at ACS Fall 2026.

The next time you freshen up the paint on your house or apply cosmetic glitter, you might give a quick nod to the butterflies flapping in a nearby garden. Taking inspiration from structures on butterfly wings responsible for their vibrant colors, researchers are now devising more durable and adjustable colors that are also safer for human health and the environment. The researchers will present their results at ACS Fall 2026.

Researchers led by Jani C. Ingram measured the levels of heavy metals in well water on tribal lands in a community partnership with the Navajo Nation. After compiling their water quality data, the researchers and tribal leaders developed best practices for distributing educational resources about safe drinking water to residents on Navajo reservations. The researchers will present their results at ACS Fall 2026.

Some of the world’s brightest colors don’t just reflect light, they create it. Scientists and museum conservators are now uncovering why these luminous pigments fade and how to preserve them for future generations. The findings could help museums protect artwork while informing the development of longer-lasting phosphorescent materials for a variety of applications, from fashion runways to airport runways. The researchers will present their results at ACS Fall 2026.