22 Months More of Life, and 31.5 Billion Euros Saved by Reducing Air Pollution in Europe’s Cites
Reducing air pollution in major European cities could add 22 months to local life expectancy and save 31.5 billion euros ($43.4 billion) in health costs and work absenteeism, concludes a European Commission-funded study released Wednesday.
- 22 months can be added to local life expectancy and 31.5 billion euros ($43.4 billion) could be saved by curbing emissions of harmful pollution in Europe.
One of the largest sources of persistent, air pollution is particulate matter emitted during the burning of fossil fuels such as coal for power generation. Current dust collection technology, if fully implemented can remove nearly all particulate matter from power plant emissions. As this study shows, the cost of implementing these, and other pollution control technologies pales in comparison with the public health benefits, and savings.
Read the full article here: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2011/03/air-pollution-life-expectancy/1