Air has elevated cancer risk in 600 neighborhoods

WASHINGTON (AP) - A government analysis of toxic air pollutants finds the average national cancer risk has declined since the last time it was done.
    But the report says millions of people living in nearly 600 neighborhoods across the country are breathing concentrations of toxic air pollutants that put them at a much greater risk of contracting cancer.
    The new data from the Environmental Protection Agency indicate the levels of 80 cancer-causing substances released by automobiles, factories and other sources in these areas exceed a 100 in 1 million cancer risk.
    The average cancer risk across the country is 36 in 1 million, compared to 41.5 in 1 million the last time, in 2006. That data covered 1999 emissions. The data to be released Wednesday covers pollution released in 2002.
    Industrial areas tend to have the greatest risk.