Short-term exposure to smog, or ozone, is clearly linked to premature deaths that should be taken into account when measuring the health benefits of reducing air pollution, a National Academy of Sciences report concluded Tuesday.
The findings contradict arguments made by some White House officials that the connection between smog and premature death has not been shown sufficiently, and that the number of saved lives should not be calculated in determining clean air benefits.
The report by a panel of the Academy’s National Research Council says government agencies ”should give little or no weight” to such arguments.
”The committee has concluded from its review of health-based evidence that short-term exposure to ambient ozone is likely to contribute to premature deaths,” the 13-member panel said.
It added that ”studies have yielded strong evidence that short-term exposure to ozone can exacerbate lung conditions, causing illness and hospitalization and can potentially lead to death.”
‘The report is a rebuke of the Bush administration which has consistently tried to downplay the connection between smog and premature death,” said Frank O’Donnell, president of Clean Air Watch, a Washington-based advocacy organization.
It is interesting and beneficial that the information from this report came out on Earth Day. I think that more people/news outlets will pay attention to environmental news today more than any other day. Hopefully this will make more people aware of their own impact on the planet. Pollution doesn’t just harm the environment, it harms people too. Everyone (including me) needs to make as many changes as they can to help save our planet.
