EPA Study Shows 2.2M at Higher Risk for Cancer Because of Air Pollution

A recent study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows 2.2 million people live in an areas where pollution poses a higher risk of developing cancer.  The EPA uses the National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) study to identify areas in the United States where residents could face the greatest health threats from breathing toxic air. California, New York and Oregon top the list.

The analysis is based on emissions from 2002, the last year for which the EPA had detailed estimates of pollution from across the nation.

Although many of the cities with the highest air pollution were larger, more populated cities, like New York City and Los Angeles, several rural areas also ranked high, including counties in Mississippi and Kentucky. 

Source:  USA Today,  EPA Study: 2.2M Live in Areas Where Air Poses Cancer Risk