Perry County takes part in national air quality study

The American Lung Association released its "State of the Air 2006" assessment report on air quality in the nation today.

Cape Girardeau County and Bollinger County did not report information on lung diseases, ozone levels or particle pollution.

Perry County, with a population of 18,289, reported 368 cases of pediatric asthma, 1,268 cases of adult asthma and 601 cases of chronic bronchitis. These levels are comparable to those of other counties.

Nineteen counties statewide submitted information to this report. The report found more than half of the U.S. population lives in counties with "unhealthful" levels of ozone or particle pollution.

The findings can be viewed online at www.lungusa.org.