EPA funds air pollution research centers

WASHINGTON, March 8 (UPI) -- Research funded by the U.S. government will help scientists better understand the effects air pollution has on children and the elderly, a researcher said.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it was providing $32 million in funding to four U.S. universities to conduct air pollution research.

The research at the University of Washington, Michigan State, Harvard and Emory universities will focus on the health impacts of air pollution.

Paul Anastas, assistant administrator for EPA's office of research and development, said university researchers will tackle tough scientific questions in the area of air research.

"These centers are critical to understanding how to improve air quality and protect Americans' health from complex mixtures of air pollutants," he said in a statement.

The EPA said the American population is exposed to more than one type of pollutant at any given time, which can cause a wide variety of health problems.

The university research centers will focus in part on the health effects that air pollution has on children and the elderly.

Air pollutants have health effects ranging from heart and circulation issues to neurological problems.