Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Study: Short-term reductions in air pollution dramatically improve health
Listen
• 1:14
Traffic comes to a stand still on the northbound and the southbound lanes of the Interstate 405. A new USC study says even a tiny reduction in air pollution would vastly improve city-dweller's cardiovascular health.
(
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
)
A new USC study that used Beijing, China as a laboratory suggests that even a short-term reduction in air pollution can improve cardiovascular health.
The findings of the just-released, USC-led study stem from research done in Beijing during the 2008 Summer Olympics.
The scientists chose Beijing because in order to land the games the city, which suffers from some of the worst air-pollution in the world, agreed to temporarily clean its air by shutting down factories and limiting auto traffic.
That offered scientists a rare opportunity to research how air pollution levels affect the cardiovascular health of young people.
Support for LAist comes from
For the study, the scientists enlisted 125 non-smoking, healthy male and female doctors who worked in Beijing.
They examined the doctors six times: twice before the air pollution controls were in place, twice during the games and twice after the Olympics ended and air pollution levels returned to normal.
Their findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that even a short-term reduction in air pollution exposure can immediately improve cardiovascular health. Those findings bolstered studies that have recently linked air pollution to adverse cardiovascular health.
What's more, the researchers say, the USC findings have widespread implications for air pollution policies that could improve human health worldwide.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist