Study Links Air Pollution to Increased Cardiovascular Hospital Admissions in Major US Cities
• Researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health published findings on March 19 in Environmental Health Perspectives linking fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure to a 3.2% increase in cardiovascular hospital admissions within two days in major US metropolitan areas. • The analysis of 15 million hospital records across 50 US cities over 12 years found that a 10 microgram per cubic meter increase in PM2.5 correlates with approximately 4,200 additional cardiovascular hospitalizations annually across studied cities. • The research supports EPA air quality standards and highlights urgent need for pollution control measures, as cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States affecting 126 million Americans.
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