A new study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society revealed air pollution is fatal as it causes mortality and illness to over 9,300 and 29,768 people respectively, in the U.S. cities annually. Contaminated air is alone responsible for 15 deaths every year in the Greenville metropolitan area.

The study focused on particulate matter and ozone in cities from 2011 to 2013 and also went through epidemiological data to arrive on the findings. The Health of the Air report discovered that the places where air is more damaging to health are those that have large number of inhabitants. And such areas also have high level of at least one of the pollutants in its air.

In region like Greenville County, where there is great population, maintaining the air pollution to certain level adequate in others areas would make no positive difference to the health of those living in the county, it likely to increase the health problems.

“And often, we see the highest health burden in low-income populations and minority populations, or susceptible populations, such as older adults, children with asthma, and infants”, said Cromar. He added that negative effect of polluted air on health could be prevented by introducing air quality standards that are set by the American Thoracic Society.

The Greenville metro area adhere to these standards for particulate matter, which consists of acids like nitrates and sulfates, organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles, but they fail to meet standards for ozone. There is where the county did mistake.

The research also stated that there are many ill effects of polluted air on health. These health problems include asthma, lung and heart disease, high blood pressure, low birth weight in babies and damage to central nervous system.

According to a report in Greenville Online by Liv Osby, "Air pollution kills more than 9,300 people in U. S. cities every year - including 15 in the Greenville metropolitan area - new research shows. The study, published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society, shows that the pollution causes 29,768 illnesses in this area a year as well."

It concluded that areas with the most health impacts usually have large populations and relatively high concentrations of at least one of the pollutants. And in areas with growing populations, like Greenville County, he said, even if pollution is maintained at the same level, the health impacts will increase.

The Greenville metro area, which also includes Anderson and Mauldin, met those standards for particulate matter, which consists of acids like nitrates and sulfates, organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles, according to the study. But it didn't meet the standards for ozone, which forms when chemicals from vehicle exhaust, industry and commercial processes react with sunlight and heat.

A report published in SFGATE informed, "For those that consider themselves lucky they don't live in Southern California, here's another reason: The Los Angeles Times reported that the smog down south is so bad this year, there's been an increase in hospital visits for respiratory-related illnesses."

Ozone is what causes muscles in the airways to constrict, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, causing shortness of breath. The pollutant can aggravate respiratory issues such as asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis in children and the elderly.

Before pointing fingers at that other infamous Los Angeles issue - namely, traffic and car emissions - as another cause for the smog problem, it's not. Regulations have led to cleaner vehicles and it's "unlikely" that it's the issue for the smog, the deputy executive officer for the South Coast air district told the paper.