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Clear Connection Between Air Pollution and Respiratory and Cardiovascular Deaths

Nov. 20, 2001

A new study makes a connection between respiratory and cardiovascular deaths in urban areas and exposure to pollution.

Experts agree that exposure to pollution is unhealthy, but a new study makes it clear there is a correlation between respiratory and cardiovascular deaths in urban areas and exposure to same-day pollution and exposure to pollution within previous days.

The study, led by Dr. Alfesio Braga of the Harvard School of Public Health''s Environmental Epidemiology Program, compared daily deaths as a result of pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and all cardiovascular diseases (specifically myocardial infarction) to the daily particulate pollution counts obtained from the Environmental Protection Agency''s monitoring network.

The study found that same-day exposure to increased particulate air pollution is a main contributor to deaths due to myocardial infarction (MI) in urban areas. Exposure during the previous day also appears to have an association to deaths as a result of MI.

Respiratory deaths are more affected by exposure to particulate pollution on previous days than on the same day, according to Braga and his team. Same-day exposure to particulate pollution appears to contribute more consistently to cardiovascular deaths.

by Sandy Smith

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EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.