Dementia Risk May Rise as Air Quality Worsens
Exposure to particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) was associated with increased risk of dementia, a meta-analysis suggested. Across 14 studies that assessed PM2.5, the overall risk of dementia rose by 4% (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.99-1.09) for every 2 μg/m3 increase in average annual PM2.5 concentration, according to Marc Weisskopf, PhD, […]
EPA Favors Stricter Air Quality Standards
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants to tighten the national annual limit on particulate matter (PM) pollution, according to its proposed updates to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Fine Particulate Matter. Part of the EPA’s plan is to lower the primary (health-based) annual PM2.5 standard down to 9.0-10.0 µg/m3, compared with the […]