According to a recent report involving the way of life for Americans, the significant improvements of the air quality in the United States, which took place over the past two decades, added a little over five months to the life of the average person.

The report is presented in the New England Journal of Medicine, mentioning the ways that this progress was reached: diesel engines, steel mills, the reduction of fine particles released by automobiles and coal-fired power plants. Another important aspect is the change in perception when it comes to smoking. Many people understood the risks and quit, improving the quality and also the span of their lives.

Arden Pope, epidemiologist at the Brigham Young University in Utah and also leader of the study, believes that quitting cigarettes is the biggest reason why Americans live longer.

The study was made by gathering data such as details about the life expectancy, and also economic, demographic and pollution information from 51 metropolitan areas. By investigating all these documents, Pope and his colleagues reached the conclusion that fine-particle air pollution dropped by 10 micrograms per cubic meter, leading to a life expectancy rise of 31 weeks.

There are also other areas such as New York, Pittsburgh and Buffalo, where fine-particle counts dropped by 13 to 14 micrograms. In these areas, people enjoy about 43 weeks more than before.

Working to get the air cleaner has been one of the biggest concerns over the past 3 years. This study shows that the efforts were indeed successful, but there is always room for improvements.