Air Pollution Climate Change
Trends in population exposure to compound extreme-risk temperature and air pollution across 35 European countries: A modelling study. The Lancet Planetary Health.
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WHAT IS PLANETARY HEALTH?
Air Pollution
Humanity’s impact on Earth’s natural systems is affecting the quality of the air we breathe.
Air pollution is attributed to natural sources like dust storms, and human activities like vehicle emissions, industrial processes, burning wood, and power plants. Inhaled particulate matter (e.g., PM2.5) can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory issues, heart disease, and other health problems, especially for vulnerable populations. Biomass burning for agriculture in places like equatorial Asia is driving sharp increases in particulate air pollution and associated morbidity and mortality. In some regions, air pollution has become so pervasive that it obscures the sun, altering regional weather patterns, reducing agricultural yields, and accelerating glacial melting.
In addition to particulate pollution, warmer temperatures associated with climate change increase the formation of tropospheric ozone, a main constituent of smog and contributor to cardiorespiratory disease. Warmer temperatures and higher atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations are associated with longer pollen seasons and increased pollen production, intensifying allergic respiratory diseases, such as asthma.
8M Deaths per year
One modelling study concluded that fine particulate and ozone air pollution contribute to more than 8 million all-cause deaths per year.
Air-pollution deaths are substantially more likely in low- and middle-income countries.
Browse the resources below to learn more about air quality and ways to protect the air we breathe.
“… pollution control is highly cost-effective and, because pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss are closely linked, actions taken to control pollution have a high potential to also mitigate the effects of those other planetary threats.”
– Lelieveld et al. Pollution and health: A progress update
Air Pollution Resources
Life Stage and Reproductive Health Noncommunicable Diseases
Early-life ozone exposure and asthma and wheeze in children. JAMA Network Open.
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Infectious Diseases Life Stage and Reproductive Health
Assessment of air pollution and mortality in Portugal using AirQ+ and the effects of COVID-19 on their relationship. Scientific Reports.
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Life Stage and Reproductive Health Air Pollution
What drives parents’ use of air quality indexes during wildfire smoke events: Predictors of index knowledge, frequent checking, and following health guidance. Population and Environment.
This study explored differences in AQI use and adherence among parents in British Columbia, Canada, and three US states, California, Oregon and Washington—jurisdictions that experience significant wildfire smoke seasons likely to worsen with climate change.
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Air Pollution
Health Effects of Air Pollution in East Africa: Current Evidence and Priorities for Future Action
Exposure to air pollution is an important risk factor for poor health across East Africa. Currently, air pollution is the second leading factor for deaths in the region, accounting for approximately 294,000 deaths in 2021.
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