Study - Smog kills; Autos are contributing

According to a CNN article, Yale University has completed a study which shows that smog kills 4,000 people per year. Gas-guzzling cars along with power plants and industry are creating the smog.

The study, researchers pointed out, is only the tip of the iceberg, as the study does not assess the impact of lifetime smog exposure, only deaths induced directly on high-level smog days.

"By linking day-to-day variations in ambient ozone levels and daily number of deaths in each of the urban areas, and pooling the results across the 95 urban areas, this study provides strong evidence of short-term effects of ozone on mortality," said Francesca Dominici, an author of the study.

Other studies have hinted that smog's long term effects are equally, if not more, significant.

Nonetheless, pollution mitigation is critical and "Ozone pollution can be reduced by lowering energy consumption through such things as car pooling and using public transportation," reports the article.

Hybrid vehicles offer significant reductions in smog, typically reducing emissions as much as 80 or 90 percent.

So, get out and buy a Toyota Prius, Honda Accord hybrid, or Ford Escape hybrid.

You'll be saving lives.

For the complete CNN article click here.