The study found that tightening air quality standards would save thousands of lives in the region, which leads the country in “avoidable deaths” stemming from poor air quality, the study says. Riverside was in second place, with 808 “avoidable deaths” due to air pollution that exceeded ATS standards.
Advertisement
While air pollution puts everyone at risk, it is most risky to children, the elderly and others with existing respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
The study also found that many people are kept from participating in daily activities due to air pollution.
The study may not surprise many Angelenos accustomed to smog.
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $749,820 grant to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, in Diamond Bar, to engage, educate, and empower California communities on the use and applications of low-priced air monitoring sensors.
The analysis by scientists at New York University and the American Thoracic Society, released Wednesday, estimated that more protective air quality standards would prevent an estimated 3,632 deaths a year in California, more than one-third of the 9,320 early deaths linked to dirty air nationwide.
Over the past several years, many developers have released low-priced air pollution monitoring devices that are capable of measuring particulate matter, ozone and other pollutants. Other grantees include the Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburg, Pa; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Mass.; Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, N.C.; the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Diamond Bar, Calif.; and the University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.
Advertisement
“This research will provide tools communities can use to understand air pollution in their neighborhoods and improve public health”, said Thomas A. Burke, EPA science advisor and deputy assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Research and Development.
