A new study adds to the amount of evidence that even low quantities of ozone pollution may increase the risk of dying from lung disease.

The study, tracking data on 450,000 people over 18 years, suggests that raising the ozone level by 10 parts per billion raises the likelihood of death from lung problems such as pneumonia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by 4 percent. Altogether there were nearly 50,000 deaths, about 20 percent of them from respiratory disease.  People in places with the highest concentrations had a 25%-30% greater risk of dying than those exposed to the lowest levels.

The study was the work of Michael Jerrett of the University of California and his colleagues. They published their study in Thursday’s New England of Medicine.

“This is the first time we've been able to connect chronic exposure to ozone, one of the most widespread pollutants in the world, with the risk of death, arguably the most important outcome in health impact studies used to justify air quality regulations," said Jerrett in a statement.

Particulate pollution is already known to raise the risk of heart attacks and other serious diseases. The risk of heart attack increases exponentially after exposure to even slightly higher amounts of metal and dust.

Controlling ozone, which is also found to be involved in the process of global warming, may both save lives and also fight global climate change, says Jerrett.