A study reveals that air pollution in Southern California kills more people each year than auto accidents kill. California regulators are considering new regs that would cost businesses an estimated $5.5 billion but would save $68 billion in health costs.
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Why is this important? Pollution has real costs that are often difficult to quantify. With these new facts, it is hard to justify allowing air pollution when it kills so many people.
Who is involved? Professor Jane Hall of California State University-Fullerton led the study.
Where is this happening? Fullerton, California is a suburb of Los Angeles. The study looked at the effects of air pollution in the San Joaquin Valley and the South Coast Air Basin–both near Los Angeles.
How can you get involved? Specifically, demand that California and US regulators fix this problem. Generally, demand that governments enact smart laws to prevent pollution from killing people. Careers: science, economics (Prof. Hall studies economics), and law.
