A California Air Resources Board study suggests that air pollution kills fewer people per year in California than previously estimated. Still, the study indicates that PM 2.5 (very fine particulate dust) still kills more people than cars in that state: 9,200 per year vs. 3.400 traffic deaths per year. The calculation used is more conservative than previous studies as the EPA’s own estimates have been lowered due to new methodologies. Reading the headline, one might think that people are keeling over in their tracks as they walk down the sidewalk. Actually, the study defines these deaths as “premature mortality.” In other words, the person may succumb faster or earlier due to long-term exposure to particulate matter. Of course, getting killed in a car crash is also “premature mortality.” Links to the CARB study and the EPA study which forms the basis of the study are below:

Links:
California Air Resources Board August 31, 2010 study: Estimate of Premature Deaths Associated with Fine Particle Pollution (PM2.5) in California Using a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Methodology

EPA study: Quantitative Health Risk Assessment for Particulate Matter – June 2010