Air Pollution Shortens Lifespan by 10 Years

Air pollution is much more dangerous than previously thought; it kills up to 24,000 people each year in California alone and reduces lifespans by an average of 10 years. Air purifiers not only improve overall health and quality of life, but they also add years to your life.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) June 16, 2008 -- Air quality experts at achooallergy.com report that air purifiers improve much more than allergy and asthma symptoms.

"Air purifiers improve overall health and quality of life," explains Scott Smith, director of communications at the allergy relief center. "Now we know that air pollution kills millions of people each year, and the pollutants that build up inside your home can damage your heart and take years off your life."

Our report concludes these particles are 70% more dangerous than previously thought, based on several major studies that have occurred in the last five years

Particulate air pollution shortens lifespans by 10 years and kills millions each year.

According to a new report from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), air pollution kills as many as 24,000 people each year in California alone, and regular exposure to air pollution shortens lifespans by an average of 10 years.

Rates of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious diseases increase exponentially after a slight increase in particulate pollution.

Most particulate air pollution comes from the burning of fossil fuels. Air pollution not only damages the lungs and contributes to respiratory disease, but it also damages the heart and cardiovascular system.

"Our report concludes these particles are 70% more dangerous than previously thought, based on several major studies that have occurred in the last five years," said Bart Croes, chief researcher for CARB.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that air pollution from smoke and various chemicals kills over three million people a year worldwide. Air pollution in China is so bad that several athletes have withdrawn from the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. On a typical day, pollution levels in Beijing are nearly five times WHO standards for safety.

A separate report from the European Environment Agency states that "the estimated annual loss of life due to air pollution is significantly greater than car accidents."

To make matters worse, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that indoor air is two to ten times more hazardous than outdoor air - and most Americans spend 90% of their time indoors. Indoor air quality is the number one environmental health problem in the United States, according to the EPA.

The EPA recommends improving ventilation and using air purifiers to remove pollutants from indoor air. The EPA does not advise the use of air cleaners which emit ozone, a chemical that can irritate the lungs and trigger asthma attacks.

Dr. Kingsley Chin, an ENT physician in Atlanta, GA, recommends HEPA air purifiers. "That stands for high efficiency particulate air filter," explains Dr. Chin. "These filters will reduce pollutants in a typical room by more than 99%. That's very effective."

Dr. Chin encourages people to place HEPA air purifiers in their bedrooms, where they spend most of their time: "Typically a HEPA filter can exchange the air in one's bedroom about six times an hour, and that can make a very big difference in how one breathes in the bedroom. When you have a HEPA filter going, the bedroom door should be closed as well as the windows."

Visit achooallergy.com to learn more about indoor air quality and shop for a home air purifier.

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