Extreme heat and air pollution can be deadly, with the health risk together worse than either alone
Extreme heat and air pollution can be deadly, with the health risk ... Lake County News
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Bad air pollution and extreme heat each raise health risks, but they’re worse combined.
Introduction
Heat waves and air pollution from wildfire smoke and other sources are each problematic for human health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as older adults. But what happens when they hit at the same time?
Objective
We examined over 1.5 million deaths from 2014 to 2020 registered in California – a state prone to summer heat waves and air pollution from wildfires – to find out.
Deaths spike when both risks are high
The number of deaths rose both on hot days and on days with high levels of fine particulate air pollution, known as PM2.5. But on days when an area was hit with a double whammy of both high heat and high air pollution, the effects were much higher than for each condition alone.
The risk of death on those extra-hot and polluted days was about three times greater than the effect of either high heat or high air pollution alone.
Impact of extreme temperatures and pollution
The more extreme the temperatures and pollution, the higher the risk. During the top 10% of hottest and most polluted days, the risk of death increased by 4% compared to days without extremes. During the top 1%, it increased by 21%; and among older adults over age 75, the risk of death increased by more than a third on those days.
Why risks are higher when both hit at once
There are several ways the combined exposure to extreme heat and particulate air pollution can harm human health.
Oxidative stress is the most common biological pathway linked with particulate air pollution and heat exposure. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between production of highly reactive molecules known as reactive oxygen species, or ROS, and the body’s ability to remove them. It’s been linked with lung diseases, among other illnesses.
Antioxidants help clean up these molecules, but particulate air pollution and heat disrupt this balance through excessive metabolic ROS production and lowered antioxidant activity.
Our research also showed that the effects of particulate air pollution and heat extremes were larger when high nighttime temperature and pollution occurred together. High nighttime temperatures can interfere with normal sleep and potentially contribute to chronic health conditions such as heart disease and obesity, and disrupt how the body regulates temperature.
Older adults may be more susceptible to effects of extreme heat and air pollution exposure, in part because this stress comes on top of age-related chronic health conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic lung disease. Impaired body temperature regulation in response to heat can also occur with aging. And older adults may be less mobile and therefore less able to get to cooling centers or to medical care and be less able to afford air conditioning.
A future of high temperatures and air pollution
This isn’t just a California problem. Climate change will increase exposure to high heat and air pollution in many parts of the country.
Yearly average temperatures in the U.S. are already more than 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) warmer than at the beginning of the 1900s. By the end of this century, global temperatures are on pace to be nearly 5 F (2.7 C) warmer. Dangerous extreme heat waves, currently rare, will become more common.
Changing climate is also affecting levels of outdoor fine particulate pollution – for example, through weather changes such as air stagnation events, wind and dust storms, and drier and warmer conditions that contribute to increasingly frequent and intense wildfires.
What to do to stay safe
Further research is needed to better understand these effects, such as the full impact of wildfire smoke exposure. However, enough is known that people should take measures to reduce their risk of harm during periods of extreme heat or air pollution.
That means staying well hydrated and keeping cool. Shopping malls and other air-conditioned public spaces can provide a refuge from heat. Home air conditioning, especially during nighttime, can reduce mortality. A portable air filter in the bedroom can markedly reduce particle pollution levels.
People with symptoms of heat stress, such as headache, nausea, dizziness or confusion, especially the elderly, should seek medical care.
Many county and state health departments already provide alerts about extreme heat and extreme air pollution. Developing a special category of alert during co-occurring extremes may be beneficial to public health.
Governments also need to take steps now to avoid the worst future climate change scenarios. Some best practices for cities include creating cooling shade cover and green space that will also reduce particle pollution.
Conclusion
Heat waves and air pollution are significant threats to human health, and their combined effects are even more dangerous. As temperatures rise and air pollution worsens due to climate change, it is crucial to prioritize measures that mitigate these risks and protect vulnerable populations. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Goal 13: Climate Action, is essential in addressing these challenges and ensuring a healthier and more sustainable future for all.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination | – Number of deaths related to air pollution and extreme heat – Number of illnesses related to air pollution and extreme heat |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management | – Air quality index in cities – Levels of fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) in cities |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries | – Increase in extreme heat events – Increase in air pollution from wildfires |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article discusses the health risks associated with air pollution and extreme heat, particularly for vulnerable populations such as older adults. SDG 3 aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article mentions the impact of air pollution on cities and the need to pay attention to air quality. SDG 11 focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
SDG 13: Climate Action
The article highlights the connection between climate change, extreme heat events, and air pollution from wildfires. SDG 13 addresses the urgent need to take action to combat climate change and its impacts.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination
The article discusses the increased risk of death and illness when exposed to both extreme heat and air pollution. Target 3.9 aims to reduce the number of deaths and illnesses caused by air pollution and other forms of pollution.
Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
The article emphasizes the importance of addressing air quality in cities due to the impact of air pollution on health. Target 11.6 focuses on reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities, including improving air quality.
Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries
The article discusses the increasing risks associated with extreme heat events and air pollution from wildfires, highlighting the need to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity. Target 13.1 aims to enhance resilience to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Number of deaths related to air pollution and extreme heat
- Number of illnesses related to air pollution and extreme heat
- Air quality index in cities
- Levels of fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) in cities
- Increase in extreme heat events
- Increase in air pollution from wildfires
These indicators can help assess the impact of efforts to reduce deaths and illnesses from air pollution and extreme heat, improve air quality in cities, and strengthen resilience to climate-related hazards.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination | – Number of deaths related to air pollution and extreme heat – Number of illnesses related to air pollution and extreme heat |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management | – Air quality index in cities – Levels of fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) in cities |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries | – Increase in extreme heat events – Increase in air pollution from wildfires |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: lakeconews.com
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