News Items

News Item - March 2006

"Air pollution increases hospitalizations rates in elderly."

A detailed study published in the Journal of American Medical Association "provides strong evidence that daily admission rates for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are high when fine particulate matter (PM2.5 micron) levels are increased from one day to the next".*

Using the national monitoring system for fine air particulate pollution, located in 204 urban centres the study compared hospitalizations rates for, injuries, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases. Using more than 11.1 million Medicare enrollees, over 65 years living an average of 5.9 miles from a PM2.5 monitoring site; the study showed a 1.28% increase in heart failure.

"One of the study authors Francecesca Dominici, said "the reason is clear: Small particles of air pollution can travel deep into the lungs".*

"I think this is powerful new evidence that fine particulate matter air pollution is indeed a major public health threat," stated George Thurston, an associate professor of environmental medicine at New York University School of Medicine.*

• Read a Medline Plus news article about the study.*  pub. March 7th 2006.
  
  
• Read the abstract and full study:
  
  Fine Particulate Air Pollution and Hospital Admission for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Diseases                                          pub. March 8th 2006.