@optilacrity: The researchers modeled replacing portions of China's urban road network. Their projections suggested substantial reductions in greenhouse gases and fine-particle air pollution, potentially preventing tens of thousands of premature deaths over the assessment period. How could roads save lives? It's largely an indirect effect. Roads that remain smoother and last longer require fewer repairs, reduce construction-related traffic congestion, and can lower fuel consumption. That means less air pollution. The researchers focused particularly on PM2.5, microscopic airborne particles associated with heart disease, lung disease, and premature death. What's the catch? The new material costs more initially, and the researchers estimated it would need seven days to cure before opening to traffic. The lifespan and health benefits are modeled projections, not yet demonstrated through decades of nationwide use. What makes this especially promising: It addresses three problems simultaneously—industrial waste, deteriorating infrastructure, and air pollution. This would also make an excellent four-scene educational TikTok, showing steelmaking waste transformed into highways and explaining how the resulting reduction in air pollution could save lives. ##Science##green##recycle##steel##road

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Monday 19 October 2026 01:25:24 GMT