Effects of smog inhalation
 

Does anyone know of any studies that examined the effects of smog inhalation on pedestrians or cyclists? It's one of my bigger concerns as someone who is cycling mainly for the health aspects.

Free cigarettes :D

I have no idea, however sitting at home I'd think is even worse on our bodies over all.

I'm a retired newspaper reporter who's also a cyclist and (former) runner. Eight or 10 years ago I did an extensive story on this, and the results were bad. My story's not available online and I don't remember enough details to be helpful, but interviews with several doctors and health experts indicated that exercise in severe smog is only probably better than not exercising at all. When you're breathing hard, you suck particles etc. deep into the lungs and you take in more toxins than when at rest.
There were some surprises too. We have a river running through town with a long MUT alongside, and a lot of people exercise there in the mornings on the premise that the air is better. Most of the air pollution people said the reverse is true--the heavy particles from the afternoon commute flow down to the lowest point, the river, and collect there overnight.

I'm sure the air quality inside your home is better than the air quality outside. Not to mention, all the chips and dip and TV you can handle.

http://environment.about.com/od/smog..._faq_three.htm

"Many components of industrial smog can have serious implications for human health and the environment if present in excess concentrations; these include sulfur dioxide, particular matter (dust and soot), carbon monoxide and sometimes mercury or lead."

Read more: The Effects of Industrial Smog | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_7210539_eff...#ixzz1RjHajJ94