METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES AND CHALLENGES IN PROJECTING HEALTH IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH AIR POLLUTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is already affecting the cardiorespiratory health of populations around the world, and these impacts are expected to increase. The present overview serves as a primer for respirologists who are concerned about how these profound environmental changes may affect their patients. The authors consider recent peer-reviewed literature with a focus on climate interactions with air pollution. They do not discuss in detail cardiorespiratory health effects for which the potential link to climate change is poorly understood. For example, pneumonia and influenza, which affect >500 million people per year, are not addressed, although clear seasonal variation suggests climate-related effects. Additionally, large global health impacts in low-resource countries, including migration precipitated by environmental change, are omitted. The major cardiorespiratory health impacts addressed are due to heat, air pollution and wildfires, shifts in allergens and infectious diseases along with respiratory impacts from flooding. Personal and societal choices about carbon use and fossil energy infrastructure should be informed by their impacts on health, and respirologists can play an important role in this discussion.

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Synergistic health effects of air pollution, temperature, and pollen exposure: a systematic review of epidemiological evidence

Environmental Health ◽

10.1186/s12940-020-00681-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Susan C. Anenberg ◽

Shannon Haines ◽

Elizabeth Wang ◽

Nicholas Nassikas ◽

Patrick L. Kinney

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Synergistic Effects ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Health Impacts ◽

Sufficient Evidence ◽

Respiratory Morbidity ◽

Epidemiological Evidence

Abstract Background Exposure to heat, air pollution, and pollen are associated with health outcomes, including cardiovascular and respiratory disease. Studies assessing the health impacts of climate change have considered increased exposure to these risk factors separately, though they may be increasing simultaneously for some populations and may act synergistically on health. Our objective is to systematically review epidemiological evidence for interactive effects of multiple exposures to heat, air pollution, and pollen on human health. Methods We systematically searched electronic literature databases (last search, April 29, 2019) for studies reporting quantitative measurements of associations between at least two of the exposures and mortality from any cause and cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality specifically. Following the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology, we evaluated the risk of bias of individual studies and the overall quality and strength of evidence. Results We found 56 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Of these, six measured air pollution, heat, and pollen; 39 measured air pollution and heat; 10 measured air pollution and pollen; and one measured heat and pollen. Nearly all studies were at risk of bias from exposure assessment error. However, consistent exposure-response across studies led us to conclude that there is overall moderate quality and sufficient evidence for synergistic effects of heat and air pollution. We concluded that there is overall low quality and limited evidence for synergistic effects from simultaneous exposure to (1) air pollution, pollen, and heat; and (2) air pollution and pollen. With only one study, we were unable to assess the evidence for synergistic effects of heat and pollen. Conclusions If synergistic effects between heat and air pollution are confirmed with additional research, the health impacts from climate change-driven increases in air pollution and heat exposure may be larger than previously estimated in studies that consider these risk factors individually.

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Pro-equity Effects of Ancillary Benefits of Climate Change Policies: A Case Study of Human Health Impacts of Outdoor Air Pollution in New Delhi

World Development ◽

10.1016/j.worlddev.2010.01.003 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 39 (6) ◽

pp. 1002-1025 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Amit Garg

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Health Impacts ◽

New Delhi ◽

Outdoor Air ◽

Ancillary Benefits ◽

Climate Change Policies ◽

Human Health Impacts ◽

Equity Effects

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Air Pollution, Climate Change, and Human Health in Indian Cities: A Brief Review

Frontiers in Sustainable Cities ◽

10.3389/frsc.2021.705131 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

Author(s):

Rajveer Kaur ◽

Puneeta Pandey

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Human Health ◽

Heat Waves ◽

Extreme Temperature ◽

Pollution Monitoring ◽

Present Review ◽

Health Impacts ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Indian Cities

Climate change and air pollution have been a matter of serious concern all over the world in the last few decades. The present review has been carried out in this concern over the Indian cities with significant impacts of both the climate change and air pollution on human health. The expanding urban areas with extreme climate events (high rainfall, extreme temperature, floods, and droughts) are posing human health risks. The intensified heat waves as a result of climate change have led to the elevation in temperature levels causing thermal discomfort and several health issues to urban residents. The study also covers the increasing air pollution levels above the prescribed standards for most of the Indian megacities. The aerosols and PM concentrations have been explored and hazardous health impacts of particles that are inhaled by humans and enter the respiratory system have also been discussed. The air quality during COVID-2019 lockdown in Indian cities with its health impacts has also been reviewed. Finally, the correlation between climate change, air pollution, and urbanizations has been presented as air pollutants (such as aerosols) affect the climate of Earth both directly (by absorption and scattering) and indirectly (by altering the cloud properties and radiation transfer processes). So, the present review will serve as a baseline data for policy makers in analyzing vulnerable regions and implementing mitigation plans for tackling air pollution. The adaptation and mitigation measures can be taken based on the review in Indian cities to reciprocate human health impacts by regular air pollution monitoring and addressing climate change as well.

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Air pollution, human health and climate change: Newspaper coverage of Australian bushfires

Environmental Research Letters ◽

10.1088/1748-9326/ac3601 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Martina Linnenluecke ◽

Mauricio Marrone

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Human Health ◽

Newspaper Coverage ◽

Smoke Inhalation ◽

Health Impacts ◽

Respiratory Problems ◽

Human Health Impacts ◽

Smoke Pollution ◽

Publishing Groups

Abstract We examine 512 Australian newspaper articles published over a 5-year period (2016 to 2021) that report on air pollution due to bushfire smoke and resulting human health impacts. We analyze to what extent these articles provide information on the possible range of negative health impacts due to bushfire smoke pollution, and to what extent they report on climate change as a driver behind increased bushfire risk. A temporary surge in articles in our sample occurs during the unusually severe 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires. However, most articles are limited to general statements about the health impacts of bushfire smoke, with only 50 articles in the sample (9%) mentioning an explicit link between bushfire smoke inhalation and cardiovascular and respiratory problems or increases in mortality risk. 148 of the 512 articles in the sample (29%) established a connection between bushfire risk and climate change. We carry out a further keyword analysis to identify differences in reporting by Australia’s two main publishing groups (News Corp Australia and Nine Entertainment), which shows that articles in News Corp Australia outlets offered the lowest climate change coverage. We suggest that more detailed communication strategies are needed to strengthen public preparedness for future impacts.

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