Pollution Tarnishes Olympic Games

With the Summer Olympics fast approaching, concern for the air quality in China is still a major issue. Athletes competing in outdoor, long distance events such as the marathon and some cycling events are having to adjust their training and preperation in order to account for the worst air quality on the planet. Air pollution in China accounts for 11 million outpatient visits a year. That's one person out of five that has to go see a doctor in a hospital because the air has made them sick. Pollution is also responsible for 440,000 hospitalized bed days a year, as well as at least 10,000 deaths. Pollution is a serious problem for all people living in China, and it will be very imteresting to see how the quality of air affects competition during the games.