00:00 New research shows that consistent exposure to wildfire smoke is reducing the expected
00:04 lifespan for residents of California.
00:07 The findings were released by the Air Quality Life Index of the University of Chicago's
00:12 Energy Policy Institute.
00:14 According to the data, 20 of the nation's top 30 most polluted counties in 2021 were
00:19 located in California, and residents of one county are reportedly losing an average of
00:24 two years off their lives due to the air they breathe.
00:28 The research found that across the United States as a whole, residents are exposed to
00:32 64.9 percent less particulate pollution than they encountered in 1970.
00:37 However, the report authors warn that 96 percent of the country still fails to meet the World
00:43 Health Organization's fine particulate pollution guidelines of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.
00:50 While California on average is the most polluted state, coming in at close second and third
00:55 are Illinois and Indiana.
00:57 On a global level, the AQLI researchers describe particulate pollution as "the world's greatest
01:03 external risk to human health."
01:05 (upbeat music)
