Walking quieter routes to work can avoid peaks in air pollution

I am sad when I see people jogging by a busy highway, thinking they are helping their health, when they are harming it.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-09/elf-wqr092415.php

Public Release: 27-Sep-2015
Walking quieter routes to work can avoid peaks in air pollution
European Lung Foundation

The Netherlands: Commuting to work by walking on quieter side streets rather than main roads can help people avoid exposure to peaks in harmful air pollution, according to new research presented today at the European Respiratory Society's International Congress, 2015.

Black carbon is one of the components of air pollution, and comes from incomplete combustion by diesel vehicles. It is known to be associated with a range of respiratory diseases, such as asthma, as well as with cardiovascular diseases.

•••••

"We know that short-term exposure to black carbon is associated with increased hospital admissions due to respiratory symptoms, and that long-term exposure is associated with exacerbations and increased prevalence of asthma.

•••••