Fuel spillages and leaks from petroleum storage facilities can lead to serious pollution of soils and underground water. In a recent study, two strains of Rhodococcus bacteria were found to be effective at degrading a number of petroleum hydrocarbons and thus helping clean up contaminated sites.

Applying a low voltage to polluted river sediment can boost microbes’ natural ability to degrade harmful polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminants, according to a new study. The approach could be a cost-effective, sustainable strategy to bioremediate polluted sites.

Bacteria taken from underground petroleum reserves could be used to effectively break down crude oil from spills at sea, new research has found. The study measured the breakdown of crude oil components in simulated seawater by four bacterial strains that had been isolated from petroleum reservoirs, as well as by four genetically modified stains. The findings raise the possibility of tailor-making organisms to clean up specific types of contamination.

The chemical 1,4-dioxane, a solvent suspected of causing cancer, is very difficult to clean up once it enters the environment. However, hope is offered by recent scientific developments that use plants, bacteria and fungi to decontaminate water resources. Scientists provided a round-up of these 1,4-dioxane bioremediation techniques in a recent analysis.

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Researchers from NTU Singapore have developed a semi-autonomous robot that can disinfect large surfaces quickly. Named eXtreme Disinfection roBOT (XDBOT), it can be wirelessly controlled via a laptop or tablet, removing the need for cleaners to be in contact with surfaces, thereby reducing the risk of picking up the virus from potentially contaminated areas....

The United Nations General Assembly has officially recognized access to safe, clean drinking water as a basic human right.

Cookstoves that burn more efficiently and channel smoke outside could save millions of lives around the world.

British Petroleum CEO Tony Hayward is very mindful of the need to keep bacteria out of his workers' food. Keeping toxins out of their lungs -- not so much.

The oil cleansing method has women everywhere ditching face soap in favor of oil — but why?

Would you hop (no diving allowed!) into a chlorine-free urban swimming hole that's open to the public?

Whole Foods Market unveils a rating system for household cleaning products sold in its stores. But is additional transparency really necessary in a store that a

The vice president has strong words about energy policy, but it's the administration's actions that have most in the environmental world concerned.

Germany has spent the last 5 years making solar power a mainstream business. It is poised to spend the next 10 years doing the same for offshore wind — and sh

Multitasking infrastructure on the Canary Islands could power as many as 500 homes.

Madrid-based sustainable architecture firm Ábaton unveils a low-cost prefab housing concept that's as simple as it gets (and interestingly, hypoallergenic).

Why are regular citizens doing the work that should be done by the companies that make the disposables?

A new technique promises to turn plastic waste into clean, high-grade fuel.

Environmental Protection Agency releases air toxicity results from 65 schools in 22 states.

In the wake of the worst nuclear disaster in a generation, Germany doubled down on a decade of success, pledging to eliminate nukes by 2022 and switch almost ex

With budget cuts come consequences. It looks like the emerging clean energy industry could take a big hit.

If solar panels are out of your realm of possibility, you still have alternatives to coal and other fossil fuels.

Not all of us can put solar panels on our houses, but we can still support renewable energy. Here's how.

Massive wind farm is Britain's latest entry in move away from fossil fuels toward alternative, renewable clean energy sources.

Add this kitchen mainstay to your arsenal of natural cleaners.

Spring cleaning can be fun for the whole family with these fun tips for getting kids involved.

You might be surprised at the one thing that can make the task much more bearable.

The ultimate guide to natural cleaning for every room in your home.

Skip the harsh chemicals and try these nontoxic ways to clean your carpets.

The key to sparkling, streak-free window panes isn't chemicals, clean windows naturally with these tips.

From loading the dishwasher incorrectly to making your bed in the morning, these everyday errors can lead to a mighty mess.

From sticky to stainy, here's what you need to clean festive messes.

Most national food days seem arbitrary, but this one makes sense. You're going to need a clean fridge to prepare for all those Thanksgiving leftovers.

Wipe lightbulbs? Wash doormats? My spring cleaning routine strays far from The Good Housekeeping Institute's unachievable checklist.

These tips will help you save money, time and effort while you get your house sparkly clean.

New study says cleaning products can have the same impact on your health as smoking 20 cigarettes a day.

The tidy tradition of spring cleaning is rooted in many cultures and may even be biological.

Non-chemical ways to make your sink and tub smell fresh.

The Reddit guessing game Fridge Detective peeks inside people's refrigerators for clues, and it may remind you of the mess in your own.

If you can't bring yourself to go all Marie Kondo on spring cleaning this year, try taking more attainable baby steps.

Researchers stumble upon a method that could replace toxic cyanide with plain old cornstarch.

How do you clean up a river? The answer is twofold: treatment and dilution.

New EPA regulations will clean up the biggest problem with burning wood: pollution and particulates.

The era of 900-watt-and-higher vacuum cleaners comes to an end in the European Union due to new efficiency standards.

Wind and solar get an unequal shake in the Equality State.

Raising campaign funds is a difficult balancing act for the Louisiana governor.

Researchers have developed a soap made of iron rich salts which could one day safely clean tainted water.

Stephen Baldwin and a business partner were suing Kevin Costner and his Ocean Therapy Solutions for more than $17 million in damages.

But environmental groups say oil is still coming ashore and more work needs to be done.

Here's the secret to getting that smell out of your high-tech exercise wear.