Researcher Finds Link Between Pneumonia Deaths And Engine Exhaust

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Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Also Included In: Lung Cancer;  Water - Air Quality / Agriculture;  Public Health
Article Date: 14 Apr 2008 - 16:00 PDT

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According to an article published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, excess pneumonia deaths in England are associated with engine exhaust fumes. Author E G Knox compares the total annual losses of pneumonia due to air pollution to that of the London smog in 1952.

The researcher collected data from 352 of England's local authority jurisdictions regarding levels of atmospheric emissions and deaths (published causes of death and expected causes of death). These data were aggregated to estimate how pollution affected death rates between 1996 and 2004.

The analysis revealed that among local authorities, there was substantial variation in the levels of air pollution. It was found that pneumonia, peptic ulcer, coronary and rheumatic heart disease, lung and stomach cancers, and other diseases were correlated with several emissions and deprivation, smoking, binge drinking, and geographically northern sites.

After inputting social factors into the model, the analysis indicated that there was a strong and independent link between pneumonia deaths and emissions. The only exception found concerned sulfur dioxide fumes linked to coal burning. The main emitters of pollutants were associated with burning oil, such as vehicle exhaust fumes.

Knox found that there were almost 390,000 pneumonia deaths during the eight years analyzed in the study. About 54,000 of the deaths came from just 35 local authorities - about 15,000 more than expected.

The researcher writes that, "Total annual losses as a result of air pollution probably approach those of the 1952 London smog."

Due to the strong associations across exposure categories and the fact that the rate of death was much high than expected, the model suggests that lung tissue is in fact harmed by these pollutants. In addition, engine exhaust could be a cause of excess deaths from diseases associated with failing lung function such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and rheumatic heart disease

"This new perspective could profitably guide treatment and prevention, the latter through better exhaust gas control, traffic restrictions, re-housing, domestic/workplace air filters, switching off idling engines and providing personal respirators to people with respiratory impairments," concludes the author.

Atmospheric pollutants and mortalities in English local authority areas
E G Knox
J Epidemiol Commun Health. Vol. 62: p. 442-7. (April 2008).
doi:10.1136/jech.2007.065862
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Written by: Peter M Crosta
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