Roundup of the Day's Health News

Aug. 16 -- In the medical file today:

Deadly Fumes

A new study by Carnegie Mellon University finds that car pollution kills more people than traffic accidents. Researchers looked at four cities: New York, Mexico City, Santiago, and Sao Paulo, and estimate that reducing greenhouse gases in those cities alone could save 64,000 lives over the next 20 years. Read more.

Water Under Bridges

The Centers for Disease Control warns that 100 million people in the country are at high risk for dental disease due to a lack of fluoride in their drinking water. Fluoride can prevent and even reverse tooth decay. The CDC says it issued the guidelines in part because of the surge in popularity of bottled water without fluoride.

Too Many Distractions

A new study finds that talking even on a hands-free cellular phone while driving is a significant safety risk. Researchers at the University of Utah report that using hands-free and hand-held communication devices slows a driver's response time and diverts attention more than listening to the radio or a book on tape.