Report: Pollution kills 9,300 Californians a year

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http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/2731094p-3473360c.html

Report: Pollution kills 9,300 Californians a year

Published 6:35 p.m. PDT Wednesday, May 15, 2002

San Francisco (AP) - - Microscopic particles of dust and soot more than just

an ugly brown haze.

A report released today says they could be killing thousands of Californians

each year.

The Environmental Working Group - a Washington D.C.-based research and

advocacy organization - is reporting that floating particles cause more than

9,300 deaths in the state each year.

Most of those particles are from car exhaust and factories.

The report is based on figures compiled by the state Office of Environmental

Health Hazard Assessment.

It is designed to push the state to approve stricter pollution standards.

Critics believe the group is using faulty science.

The report said wafting particles cost Californians about one ( billion

dollars a year in health care and missed work.