Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution is connected to higher health care costs, according to a new study.
The study, published in the journal Atmospheric Environment, was crafted by scientists from the Environmental Defense Fund and Kaiser Permanente Division of Research.
The study found that small differences in concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, an air pollutant caused by traffic, resulted in increased health care costs among members.
“Street-level air quality data shines a light on pollution hotspots, enabling a better understanding of traffic-related air pollution’s impacts on health and associated costs within cities,” said Ananya Roy, Environmental Defense fund senior health scientist and an author of the study.
“We know reducing traffic-related air pollution presents an opportunity to protect public health. This new research suggests it could also help substantially reduce health care costs.”