Report says vehicle exhaust bad for lungs, heart

A new report made available today cites “strong evidence” that exposure to traffic can produce new cases of asthma and heart ailments, reports The New York Times.

An excerpt from the story:

Exhaust from cars and trucks exacerbates asthma in children and may cause new cases as well as other respiratory illnesses and heart problems resulting in deaths…

The Health Effects Institute report validates, once again, one of the many reasons why Friends of Trees, Metro and ODOT believe the new Green Space Initiative project along the I-205 Multi-Use Path is so important.

Portland DEQ Air Toxics Assessments consistently rate the I-84 and I-205 corridor as having a dangerous level of air toxins. Planting trees is one way to work against air pollution and particulate matter from vehicles.

Health Effects Institute is a Boston-based nonprofit that receives funding from both the Environmental Protection Agency and the auto industry.

For more information about when our upcoming plantings, visit our online calendar.

–Toshio Suzuki