Clearing the air

Thursday, April 24, 2008 | 2:04 a.m.

Researchers at the National Academy of Sciences have concluded that short-term exposure to ozone contributes to premature deaths and that federal officials should take that into account when measuring the health effects of reducing smog-producing air pollution.

The report released Tuesday by the Academy’s National Research Council also said that the Environmental Protection Agency and other government entities “should give little or no weight” to arguments that the link between smog and premature death has not been adequately documented and that saving lives should not be considered when calculating the value of reducing ozone levels.

The White House Office of Management and Budget, which oversees regulations, has sought to minimize the link between health risks and air pollution. As a result, White House officials have prevented the EPA from calculating health effects in setting ozone standards.

Ozone occurs at ground level when heat and sunlight mix with the nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide and organic compounds that are released from burning fossil fuels. It causes respiratory distress, especially in older people, children and people who suffer from breathing disorders.

The research panel studied the effects of being exposed to high levels of ozone for 24 hours or less and concluded that, while premature deaths from such exposure are more likely among those who already have illnesses, “premature deaths are not limited to people who are already within a few days of dying.”

Researchers also said future studies should examine long-term chronic exposure in which the risk of premature death “may be larger.”

The report makes it clear that exposure to increased levels of smog can have severe effects on people in just a matter of hours.

It will be interesting to see how the White House can possibly continue clinging to claims that the connection between poor air quality and poor health is unclear. And it is imperative that EPA officials take lives into account when determining how much reducing air pollution is worth.