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Smog Exposure Linked To Premature Death

Short-term exposure to smog, or ozone, has been linked to premature deaths, says a report done by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. This suggests that measuring the health benefits of a reduction in air pollution would be beneficial.

Ground-level ozone is formed when nitrogen oxide and various organic compounds interact, after being created by burning fossil fuels. The result is a yellow haze, or smog, that lingers in the air.

The National Academy suggests that short-term exposure to ambient ozone can exacerbate lung conditions, causing illness, hospitalization, and premature death.

The Academy study examined short-term exposure to ozone of up to 24 hours. Further studies are being done to examine long-term chronic exposure, where the risk of premature death might be expected to be higher.

Ozone exposure is a leading cause of respiratory illnesses. It particularly affects the elderly and children.

Respiratory illnesses from short-term exposure to smog are not restricted to individuals with heart problems, and lung disease. They affect everyone, causing tens of thousands of premature deaths annually.

Source: Smog Exposure Linked To Premature Deaths, by H. Josef Hebert, The Boston Globe, 23 April 2008.

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