Even short-term exposure to common levels of ozone in smog is likely to contribute to premature deaths, a new National Research Council report warned Wednesday.
"Based on a review of recent research, the committee found that deaths related to ozone exposure are more likely among individuals with pre-existing diseases and other factors that could increase their susceptibility," the study said.
"However, premature deaths are not limited to people who are already within a few days of dying."
It recommended that the Environmental Protection Agency include ozone-related mortality in health-benefit analyses on future ozone standards.
In terms of trying to determine if a specific safety threshold exists, "the committee concluded that if a threshold exists, it is probably at a concentration below the current public health standard," the report added.
"Further research should explore how personal thresholds may vary and the extent to which they depend on a person's frailty," the committee added.
The Environmental Protection Agency; and National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council which make up the National Academies, sponsored the research.
The Research Council is the lead agency of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering.
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AFP 231712 GMT 04 08
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