To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Relatively Low Levels Of Air Pollution May Shorten Life Expectancy URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/3F282.htm Doctor's Guide October 23, 1997
LONDON, ENGLAND -- October 23, 1997 -- Relatively low levels of long-term exposure to air pollution may shorten life expectancy by up to 18 months, suggests a study in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Survival could be reduced by 10 percent, for even very tiny amounts (10 micrograms/cubic metre) of exposure to pollution. And although every person inhales 10 to 20 cubic metres of air every day, polluted air contains up to 100,000 particles per cubic metre. The data are mainly based on United States studies -- reported levels of fine particulate matter in Europe are at least as high or higher. Even after adjusting for recognised risk factors, including active and passive smoking, occupational exposure and alcohol intake, there was a clear association in these studies between exposure to airborne fine particulate matter and reduced survival. The author, Dr. Bert Brunekreef of the department of environmental sciences, University of Wageningen, The Netherlands, concluded relatively small differences in the levels of exposure on life expectancy could be substantial. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.