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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Physician's guide to air pollution

Journal Article · · JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States)
In California, Illinois, and New York medical societies have formally adopted air pollution programs. In Los Angeles, where an estimated 10,000 patients have been advised to move from that area because of the smog, physicians have cooperated in establishing an emergency program to prevent the occurrence of a London-type disaster. Medical cooperation in that state also was instrumental in obtaining regulation of fuel oil, automobile exhaust control legislation, investigation of health effects, and in establishing the first state-wide ambient air quality standards. Experience indicates that an organized medical program might promote the following activites: form a joint advisory board or council to recommend standards, inform the public, legislators, and officials, and keep governmental operations under surveillance; collect useful epidemiological data such as surveys of the effects of air pollution, development and use of methods to provide more sensitive diagnosis of lung function and disease; and promote studies to determine whether or not there are significant air pollution problems or potentials in populated areas; promote voluntary control and rally constructive support from all interested publics involved.
OSTI ID:
6871313
Journal Information:
JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States), Journal Name: JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States) Vol. 186:9; ISSN JAMAA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English