Professor George Knox, a respected professor at the University of Birmingham, led the study which was published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. The study examined death rates from disease and pollution levels in 352 communities from 1996 to 2004.
The researchers found there exists a "strong correlation" between the deaths, engine exhaust fumes and other transport-related substances.
After taking into consideration possible social factors, the data still showed that deaths from pneumonia were strongly and independently connected with emissions, with the exclusion of sulphur dioxide from coal burning.
Knox wrote that the correlations with pneumonia deaths were exceptional. Areas with elevated pollution levels showed high mortality rates. The largest single effect was an increase in pneumonia deaths.
