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More people are being killed by pollution from cars, trucks, and other sources than by traffic crashes, researchers estimated in a report that says cleaning up would prolong the lives of thousands of people.

Researchers in a study, which was featured in the journal Science (September 2001) said that reducing the emission of greenhouse gases in just four major cities - Sao Paulo, Brazil; Mexico City, Mexico; Santiago, Chile; and New York City - could save 64,000 lives over the next 20 years.

Greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide or ozone, are pollutants that tend to trap the sun's heat in the atmosphere or to affect solar radiation. Researchers said that adopting greenhouse-gas abatement technologies could prevent thousands of cases of chronic bronchitis and save millions of days of restricted or lost work.

Some experts, however, said that the direct connection between air pollution and death is not that clear, even in cities. Dr. Russell V. Luepker, a cardiologist and professor at the University of Minnesota, said that air pollution is not recognized as a significant cause of heart disease in the United States.

More people either come to emergency rooms or die of heart disease during pollution episodes. Air pollution can contribute to asthma inflammation but is only one factor on top of another condition.

Information provided is courtesy of and compiled by the Academy of Anti-Aging Research