An air quality study that has taken over 25 years to complete has determined that better air quality can increase an American’s lifespan by up to 5 months. The research was conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health. Although this should seem obvious, it’s the specifics of the study that are interesting. According to the researchers they “looked at fine particles that penetrate deep in the lungs, those that are not caught in the nose and the mouth, and directly damage the blood vessels. Most of those come from combustion, from automobiles, diesel trucks and buses and power plants.” These are the particles that can shorten lifespan. However, these are the particles which we can potentially control through pollution reduction efforts.
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Tags: air quality, Harvard, lifespan, lungs, particles, pollution, Public Health
Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
April 13th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
We can take responsibility for our own clean air, little by little. Here’s a neat movement that I came across – International Day of Climate Action on Oct 24: http://www.350.org/
April 14th, 2009 at 6:33 am
I have a lot of dust in my home and I have COPD. Also I have asthma. This ,makes it hard to breath when I have a attack.
April 14th, 2009 at 9:20 am
In setting a standard or priority let the truth be told > The quility of air is in direct corelation with man and his destructive ways, so i say stop this cicle of destruction and the air would be just fine.
1.The Money Masters -How International Bankers Gained Control Of America. Look This up ! A 205 minute Video on the fall of America and the present mess we are in .
2. A Must Read > The Evil Federal Reserve …
3. The Money Myth Exploded > Wake Up America !
After viewing and reading these three topics we need to share them with as many as possible before it is to late .
God Bless America.
April 14th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Good air quality is essential to good health and is equally important in how we feel each day. Unfortunately, many of us are not in control of all the pollutants out there. You would think that within the safety of your own apartment that you would be able to breathe healthy air. For the past year and one month I have been a renter in an apartment complex. There are no rules and regulations on smoking. As a person that does not smoke, I have come to realize how repulsive the odor is when I am near a smoker. Obviously these individuals have no concept how they or their surroundings smell. Most unfortunately, the odor seeps into my apartment. I find this an infringement on my health and well-being. There should be more stringent laws on smoking and the use of caustic chemical odors in close quarters. Certainly there should be an area for non-smokers within an apartment complex setting. All should live freely and with good health. The money factor seems to outweigh the health issues and landlords therefore will allow smoking. It is a known fact that cigarette smoke is bad for you. Some people need guidelines to control their neurotic habits. They have no control over themselves and therefore have little regard for others. For many years I was a home owner and did not have to deal with other peoples idiosyncrasies. Now I do. I am very sad that I have found people to be very rude in regards to smoking. Air quality should be good indoors and outside. Thank you for reading this. It is only my opinion.
April 14th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Well it is obvious that one cannot 100% choose the air-quality (therfore this is not a factor upon which life style changes have an effect like cigarette smoking,alcohol consumption etc.).The only preventable item that comes into my mind,for people forced into heavy air polluted areas is wearing protective masks (like they do in Japan),what about this?
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I AM A VICTOM OF SECOND HAND SMOKE; LIVE ON MAJOR HYWAY WITH LOTS OF BIG RIGS AND LOTS OF TRAFFIC ,AND NOW HAVE EMPHAZEMA ,ASTHMA ,AND BRONCHITIS .I HATE TO COUNT HOW MANY TRIPS TO THE HOSPITAL THIS HAS CAUSED. IF I COULD AFFORD IT, I WOULD MOVE TO OR NEAR THE TOP OF A BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN. AT THE END OF A ONE WAY ROAD.