A study released today suggests that there is a link between deaths from pneumonia and air pollution.
Professor E G Knox from the University of Birmingham found that there was a strong correlation between high levels of air pollution and high numbers of deaths from pneumonia. The study, which looked at over 352 local authorities between 1996 and 2004, calculated how many pneumonia deaths there were in the area compared to the national average.
British Lung Foundation spokesperson Dr Richard Hubbard, "More detailed research needs to be carried out into the impact of air pollution before we can be clear that exhaust fumes are linked to increased deaths from pneumonia,"
"What this paper does show, however, is that there is clear geographical variation in deaths from pneumonia, lung cancer and COPD. This would suggest that social factors such as deprivation and smoking, and possibly pollution, are important and that there is great potential to prevent deaths from lung disease."
For more information or interviews please contact Casey Purkiss, 020 7688 5564/ casey.purkiss@blf-uk.orgor Katherine Huntly on 020 7688 5588 / Katherine.huntly@blf-uk.org
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