Pollution In The Environment

KYW Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- There is no doubt that pollution in our environment can have a dramatic impact on our health.

Exposure to ground-level ozone is associated with an increased risk of death: especially death from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes. The information is from 670,000 participants in a nationwide cancer prevention study. They also found that there was an increase in cardiovascular disease deaths.

Breathing air with high levels of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds -- which create ground-level ozone in the presence of sunlight -- is a major trigger for health problems in children and adults with lung diseases like asthma. It is very hard to limit your exposure but the message is clear that we need to be very careful about air quality in our communities and treasure the importance of protecting our environment—it has a direct impact on our health.