Scientists at the Women's Health Initiative tracked 66,000 women between the ages of 50-79, who lived in 36 cities. After considering other risk factors, it was found that air quality was a strong predictor of heart disease and strokes.
According to the data, the most dangerous forms of air pollution are associated primarily with vehicle exhausts, coal-fired power plants, and other industrial sources.
The study, published in the Feb. 1 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that women living in the most polluted cities had the highest heart disease and stroke risks as compared to their cleaner-city counterparts.
Senior researcher, Dr. Joel Kaufman of the University of Washington says, "I think the major contribution is answering the critics of the prior studies. The effect seems large and important and should be taken seriously."
Kaufman's group studied post-menopausal women, a group particularly prone to the effects of air pollution since a woman's risk of developing heart disease and suffering a stroke rises with the onset of menopause.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tightened its daily limit for tiny pollutants made of dust, soot and various chemicals, in September, however, it left the average annual limit untouched. Furthermore, the agency isn't scheduled to take another look at the standard until 2011.
According to the EPA's 2005 statistics, Los Angeles, Birmingham, Detroit, and Pittsburgh were among the cities with the most fine particulate air pollution. The pollution levels ranged from 18 to 21 micrograms per cubic meter.
