Air Pollution Endangers Lives of Six in 10 Americans

[ensho]

six in ten! good grief. that's bad.


http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2009/2009-04-29-01.asp


Six out of every 10 Americans - 186.1 million people - live in areas where air pollution endangers lives, according to the 10th annual American Lung Association State of the Air report released today.

Some of the biggest sources of air pollution - dirty power plants, dirty diesel engines and ocean-going vessels - also worsen global warming, the Lung Association says in State of the Air 2009.

As America deals with the linked challenges of air pollution, global warming and energy, the Lung Association urges Congress, the U.S. EPA and individuals to choose solutions that help solve all three challenges together.

Nearly every major American city is still burdened by air pollution, and the air in many cities became dirtier since last year, the report finds, despite "substantial progress" made against air pollution in many areas of the country and more attention paid to the environment by America's growing green movement.

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The association, along with states, public health and environmental groups, has taken the EPA back to court in an attempt to force the agency to adopt the .060 ppm standard before its scheduled five-year review in 2013.

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New data show that women in their 50's may be particularly threatened by air pollution and that diesel truck drivers and dockworkers who are forced to breathe exhaust on the job may face a greater risk of developing lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

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"America needs to cut emissions from big polluters like coal-fired power plants and ocean-going vessels," Connor said. "We need to fix old dirty diesel engines to make them cleaner and strengthen the ozone standards to better protect our health. We also need to improve the decaying infrastructure of air monitors. America must now enforce the laws that help us improve our nation's air quality."
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yes, the sooner the better.

[BridgeTheGap]

1. Talk about terrorism! 9/11 pales in comparison! n.t

[onehandle]

2. Some good advice for individuals in the article "stop smoking, eat well, exercise." nt