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China’s Huai River policy provided free winter heating via the provision of coal for boilers in cities north of the Huai River. This increased total suspended particulates (TSPs) in Northern China by 55% compared to the South, reducing life expectancies by about 5½ years.

Nature quotes co-author Michael Greenstone,

“This study highlights that reducing the use of fossil fuels, especially coal, can have immediate benefits completely separate from climate. This is a good argument for reducing reliance on coal not only to appease the US and Europeans, but to improve the health and wellbeing of their citizens.”

Results from the German GINIplus and LISAplus birth cohorts show that long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution may increase insulin resistance in children.

Researchers said that oxidative stress caused by exposure to air pollutants may play a role in the development of insulin resistance.

A large international study found that exposure to pollution is associated with low birth weight.

Maternal exposure to particulate pollution was associated with low birth weight at term across 3 million births in 9 countries.

Nature’s article on the research provides background and quotes.