"New research adds to growing evidence that current air pollution laws are inadequate."

"Long-term exposure to air pollution is linked to higher levels of illness and mortality even when air pollution levels are well below legal limits, according to a new study.

Previous research has linked both acute and long-term exposure to high levels of common outdoor air pollutants like black carbon, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter (PM2.5) to higher risk of respiratory disease, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, and premature death.

The new study, published today in The BMJ journal, followed 325,367 adults from six European countries over a 20-year period. Around 14.5% (47,131 people) died during the study period, and researchers found that people with higher exposure to air pollution were more likely to die—even when air pollution levels remained below legal thresholds set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the European Union, and the World Health Organization (WHO)."

Kristina Marusic reports for Environmental Health News September 2, 2021. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Air Pollution Could Knock 9 Years Off The Life Of People In India, Study Says" (CNN) [3]

"Cutting Air Pollution Levels Could Raise Life Expectancy By 2 Years: Study" (The Hill) [4]