Study: Cleaner U.S. Air Extends Lives

Americans are living longer because of cleaner air, a new study finds. Researchers looked at the years 1978 through 2001. In that time, average lifespan rose by almost three years. Particulates in the air decreased by about one-third. Researchers looked at data from 51 cities. They adjusted the numbers for other things that could have increased lifespan. For example, smoking rates have decreased. They concluded that reduced pollution accounted for nearly five months of the longer lifespan. The study was in the New England Journal of Medicine. The Associated Press wrote about it January 22.