Environment
Particulates kill tens of thousands of Californians each year
By Sue Mueller
May 23, 2008 - 10:25:50 AM

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FRIDAY May 23, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- The California Air Resources Board on May 22 released a report to address the health impacts of exposure to particulate matter.

The report based on scientific literature says the relative risk factor is a 10% increase in premature death per 10 ug/m3 increase in PM2.5 exposure.

Based on this factor, the board staff estimated that diesel PM is responsible for 3,900 premature deaths each year in California.

The board estimated exposure to ambient PM2.5 can be associated with about 14,000 to 24,000 premature deaths each year in California.