Pneumonia 'linked' to pollution 4-14-08

BBC News- High levels of pollution may have contributed to the deaths of thousands of people in England from pneumonia in recent years, a study suggests.

A team at the University of Birmingham examined death rates from the disease and pollution levels in 352 local authorities between 1996 and 2004.

Writing in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, they reported a "strong correlation" between the two.

But the researchers conceded that social factors may also be at play.

Calculations were made by looking at how many deaths there were in each locality in excess of the national average.

These figures were then cross-checked with a range of pollutant levels, including engine exhaust emissions.

Culprit car

In total, 386,374 people died of pneumonia during the eight years examined, but there were significant regional variations. Lewisham in London had the highest number of deaths per head, Berwick-on-Tweed the least.

More detailed research needs to be carried out into the impact of air pollution before we can be clear that exhaust fumes are linked to increased deaths from pneumonia
British Lung Foundation

In the 35 local authorities with the highest rates of pneumonia, there were 14,718 more deaths than the national average.

These areas also tended to see higher rates of some cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and rheumatic heart disease.

"High mortality rates were observed in areas with elevated ambient pollution levels," said Professor George Knox, who wrote the report. "The strongest single effect was an increase in pneumonia deaths."

He added: "Road transport was the chief source of the emissions responsible, although it was not possible to discriminate between the different chemical components".

The team estimated that the annual number of excess deaths - or those which could be attributed to the pollution - could approach those of the 1952 London smog, which killed 4,000 people.

But lung specialists said more detailed research was needed before a clear link between pneumonia and exhaust fumes was declared.

"What this paper does show, however, is that there is clear geographical variation in deaths from pneumonia, lung cancer and COPD," said Richard Hubbard of the British Lung Foundation.

"This would suggest that social factors such as deprivation and smoking, and possibly pollution, are important and that there is great potential to prevent deaths from lung disease."

Comment:

No one thinks of indoor air pollution in their car, but it's there! Roll down your windows for the first 3 minutes you are in the car. Also do this as long as bearable, when you fist turn on the hear or air conditioning. Most cars built '98 or newer may have air filtration systems for the interior, check with your dealership. Have them changed every season and ask for HEPA if it is available.

If your car does not have filtration, get your ducts professionally cleaned and sanitized once a year! Then find the intake inside your passenger compartment and use a cut to fit MERV 8 or higher filter and tape it over it.

Do not use air fresheners or plug-in's in your car unless they are low VOC or organic. Better yet use Bella Mira Essential Oils. Drop a drop or two of your favorite oils in the cigarette ashtray. Put lavender flowers in the ashtray and add Lavender essential oil to it if it stops smelling or your favorite scent with lavender in it. Use any natural potpourri in your ashtray! ( Don't Forget the one's in the doors) Plug in diffusers may be of some benefit.