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Ozone Kills, Slowly: Study

High-level areas like LA face 50% increase in risk of death from respiratory illness

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 12, 2009 2:40 PM CDT

(Newser) – Long-term exposure to ozone can greatly increase the risk of death from respiratory diseases, the Los Angeles Times reports. An 18-year study of half a million people in 96 cities found that an increase of 10 parts per billion in ozone concentrations correlated to a 4% increase in deaths from respiratory causes. Riverside, Calif., with the highest concentration at 104ppb, had a risk 50% greater than an area without ozone.

Ozone is a secondary pollutant, formed from a reaction of fossil fuel emissions in the presence of sunlight, so Southern California’s sunny climate worsens its ozone problem. Federal limits for ozone are measured only in the short term, but even by that measure, 100 million residents of 345 counties are in an unsafe range.

This file photo shows the Los Angeles skyline being obscured by a heavy layer of smog and fog. (AP Photo)

Los Angeles sit under a blanket of smog in this file photo. (AP Photo)

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Ozone Kills, Slowly: Study

High-level areas like LA face 50% increase in risk of death from respiratory illness

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Record Exec Wounded in Hollywood Shooting Dies

John Atterberry had worked with Jessica Simpson, Michael Jackson

United Flight's Engine Shuts Down in Mid-Air

Plane makes emergency landing in Colorado

America's Worst Job-Hunting Cities

Miami tops the latest list

LA Road Collapses in Mudslide

Paseo del mar isn't

Mom Pushing Stroller Killed by California Train

But Susan Dibene manages to push her daughter to safety

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Ozone Kills, Slowly: Study

High-level areas like LA face 50% increase in risk of death from respiratory illness

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

California • pollution • Los Angeles • Riverside • smog • ozone • respiratory problems • EPA

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Record Exec Wounded in Hollywood Shooting Dies

John Atterberry had worked with Jessica Simpson, Michael Jackson

United Flight's Engine Shuts Down in Mid-Air

Plane makes emergency landing in Colorado

America's Worst Job-Hunting Cities

Miami tops the latest list

LA Road Collapses in Mudslide

Paseo del mar isn't

Mom Pushing Stroller Killed by California Train

But Susan Dibene manages to push her daughter to safety

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?