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Small particles causing big deaths |
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June 30, 2000
BOSTON
(AP) - Tiny pollution particles produced by everything from cars to power
plants are responsible for higher death rates and more hospital stays among
the elderly, according to a study.
The study of 90 large American cities, released Wednesday by the Health Effects Institute, confirms a link suggested by previous smaller-scale studies. But it goes farther in isolating "particulate matter" as the cause of higher rates of death and disease, separating it from pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. The study looked at tiny atmospheric particles of 10 microns or less in diameter. A micron is equal to one thousandth of a millimeter. About 60 percent of particulate matter comes from combustion sources, such as cars and power plants. The other 40 percent comes from construction, agriculture and road-related pollution, such as minute pieces of brakes and tires.
The report claimed to "provide new and strong evidence linking particulate air pollution to adverse health effects." The survey found that on average, deaths increased 0.5 percent for every 10 microgram increase in the number of particles per cubic meter of air. Among the elderly, hospital admissions for cardiovascular problems increased 1 percent for each 10 microgram increase and cardiopulmonary admissions rose 2 percent.
"It is important to remember that a 0.5 percent increase reflects a broad population base. A small percentage can affect a large number of people," said Robert O'Keefe, the institute's vice president.
The study did not attempt to calculate how many lives increased pollution might cost, or to fully address whether pollution merely sped the deaths of people who already were gravely ill.
The increase in death and disease was actually less than that reported in several previous studies. But the authors of the latest study said it uses more sophisticated statistical methods and surveys a broader area - meaning the results are less dramatic but more credible.
The highest correlation was found in cities in America's northeast, especially New York, where the increase in mortality was more than twice the average of other cities.
Researchers said that might be due to more accurate data for that area, or to a more unhealthy combination of pollutants there. The institute is funded in equal parts by the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the auto industry.
"We
respect their findings," said Phil Colley, a spokesman for Ford
Motor Co., which also issued a statement calling for more research on the
issue.
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