In the recent years the population of England has significantly suffered from pneumonia – thousand of people died. The latest study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health suggests that this is connected with high levels of environmental pollution.

The team of researchers at Birmingham University in the Midlands indicates a link between the two in their research. They examined 352 local authorities: death rates from pneumonia and pollution levels in the period between 1996 and 2004. Engine exhaust emissions were one of the pollutant levels analyzed. After this the received figures were then cross-checked with a range of pollutant levels.

As a result of a cross-check, a strong correlation between the level of pollution and death rates was observed. Of course, other social factors may also play a part, but the made calculations (by looking at how many deaths there were in each locality in excess of the national average) can’t be ignored.

During the eight-year study period supervised by George Knox - since 1996 to 2004 a total of 386,374 people died of pneumonia; but the regional figures vary significantly, i.e. with Lewisham in London with the highest number of deaths per capita and Berwick-on-Tweed the lowest.

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