Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance

Scientists explore link between exhaust fumes and health issues

Cleaner burning fuel options a better public health choice

Contact: Joshua Morby - 414.344.1733

Milwaukee, Wis. – Preliminary data from scientific studies are starting to uncover the detrimental effects of traffic fumes on public health, particularly on the human brain.

“These ongoing studies show that there is a definite need for cleaner burning fuel options at the pump,” says Josh Morby, executive director of the Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance. “We know that biofuels are a better option.”

According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, more scientists are devoting time to the study of traffic fumes and their effect on human health. Recent research has found that breathing in air from congested areas, such as in cities or on roadways with high traffic levels, has a variety of measureable effects on humans.

One study reports that poor air quality can intensify electrical activity in certain areas of the brain. A European study concluded that breathing in normal city air for an extended period of time can result in genetic changes among the elderly. Separate studies at Columbia University and Harvard University this year both showed that exposure to high levels of emissions can leave a molecular mark on genomes.

Studies are also showing that exhaust particles can travel much farther than originally thought, and exposure can occur more than a mile from a roadway.

“This is a very real public health situation,” says Morby. “But it is also one that can be addressed by seeking out viable alternatives such as ethanol and other alternatives to petroleum-based fuels. We can make better choices for our vehicles and for our health.”

The Wall Street Journal article can be accessed here: http://tinyurl.com/87e53m5.

The Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance is a diverse group of businesses, environmental groups, and statewide and local organizations that have come together to build both public and legislative awareness of the Bio Industry in Wisconsin.
 
For more information about the Alliance, or to find out how to join, please visit our website: http://www.wisconsinbioindustry.com.
 

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