"Research Finds Link Between Air Pollution, School Absences in Texas"

"Children in Texas are more likely to miss school when certain types of air pollution increase -- even when the levels are below the limit set by the federal government, a new study says.

The research also shows that absences decrease significantly when pollution decreases.

The study is unusual because it tracks the impact on a large group: 39 of the biggest school districts in Texas, including Dallas and Fort Worth. In El Paso, which has some of the state’s worst air pollution, the reduction in carbon monoxide levels resulted in a 0.8 percent decrease in the rate of absences."

Mike Lee reports for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram January 18, 2010.