Study: Calif dirty air kills more than car crashes

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) -- A study says lowering air pollution parts of California would save more lives than having zero traffic fatalities.

The study examined the costs of air pollution in two areas with the worst levels in the country, Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley.

It says meeting federal ozone and fine particulate standards could save $28 billion annually in health care costs, school absences, missed work and lost income potential from premature deaths.

The price tag amounts to $1,600 annually per person in the San Joaquin Valley and $1,250 in the South Coast Air Basin.

Researchers at California State University-Fullerton sought to assess the potential economic benefits that could be achieved by reducing air pollution to levels within federal standards.