Most ReferencedNew England Journal of MedicineJun 29, 2017
New Study of U.S. Residents Over 65 Underscores Link Between Air Pollution and Premature Death
A study of 60 million Americans over the age of 65 estimates that thousands of people are still dying prematurely each year because they are breathing polluted air.
The study,
conducted by researchers at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public
Health, said these premature deaths are occurring in areas where air
pollution levels are lower than federal National Ambient Air Quality
Standards. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine,
said that even a modest reduction in what are known as PM2.5 pollution
particles — those measuring less than 2.5 microns — could prevent about
12,000 premature deaths annually.
Average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the continental United States, 2000 through 2012.QIAN DI ET AL
The researchers used data from federal air monitoring stations as well as satellites to compile a detailed picture of air pollution
down to individual zip codes. Then, using data from 60 million Medicare
patients, they analyzed the impact of air pollution on mortality. The
study concluded that fine particulate matter appears to be especially
dangerous for African-Americans, men, and poor people.
“We are now providing bullet-proof evidence that we are breathing
harmful air,” said Francesca Dominici, a co-author of the paper and a
professor of biostatistics at the Chan school. “It’s very … compelling
evidence that currently the safety standards are not safe enough.”
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