Smog Exposure Increases Risk Of Premature Death

National Academy of Sciences reported Tuesday that short-tern exposure to ozone or smog is clearly linked to premature death, which should be considered when measuring the health benefits of reducing air pollution.

However, this new finding contradicts arguments from the officials of White House that the connection between premature death and smog has not been shown sufficient. To contradict this statement, a panel from 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. 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 13-member panel said.

The Academy panel examined only short-term exposure, 24 hours and less, to high ozone levels, but also said that more studies are needed on long-term chronic ozone exposure where the risks of premature death could be larger than those observed using acute effects are.

Although premature deaths from ozone exposure are greater in people with heart and lung disease, the report said these deaths are not restricted to people who are at a high risk of death within several days.

Environmentalists argued that various surveys and health studies have proven that exposure to smoggy air not only aggravates respiratory problems, it also causes hundreds of deaths each year.