pollution

Since the Environmental Protection Agency has not acted on its promise to regulate diesel ship emissions, the San Francisco-based Friends of the Earth have filed a lawsuit against them.

Due to the EPA's negligence, harbor communities like Long Beach, Los Angeles, Houston and New York/New Jersey suffer from high rates of respiratory illnesses, and from the risk of having cancer, says Sarah Burt of Earthjustice, an organization providing legal support in the case.

Air pollution may affect plans for Beijing Olympics.

During a visit to China this month the president of the IOC said that some events might need to be rescheduled because of the extreme pollution that exists in the air above Beijing. If pollution levels stay where they are the air will be unsuitable for endurance events such as the marathon.

Diesel Pollution and Atherosclerosis
A recent study done by UCLA has found a correlation between diesel exhaust pollution and atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of the arteries, is a dangerous condition that induces a greater susceptibility to heart attacks and strokes. The study shows that when polluted air particulates intermingle with cholesterol fats, they can trigger genes that cause blood vessel inflammation which can further lead to cardiovascular disease.