Climate change, extreme weather events, air pollution and respiratory health in Europe

Sario, Manuela De; Katsouyanni, Klea; Michelozzi, Paola

doi:10.1183/09031936.00074712

Cited by 248 publications

(180 citation statements)

References 138 publications

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“…Emissions of air pollutants including nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter are associated with numerous conditions including respiratory disorders [153], cardiovascular disease, and allergies [154,155]. A significant association is seen between the concentration of PM10 and summer mortality [151,156].…”

Section: Air Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Health Effects of Climate Change in the WHO European Region

Wolf

Lyne

Martínez

et al. 2015

Climate

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Abstract:The evidence of observed health effects as well as projections of future health risks from climate variability and climate change is growing. This article summarizes new knowledge on these health risks generated since the IPCC fourth assessment report (AR4) was published in 2007, with a specific focus on the 53 countries comprising the WHO European Region. Many studies on the effects of weather, climate variability, and climate change on health in the European Region have been published since 2007, increasing the level of certainty with regard to already known health threats. Exposures to temperature extremes, floods, storms, and wildfires have effects on cardiovascular and respiratory health. Climate-and weather-related health risks from worsening food and water safety and security, poor air quality, and ultraviolet radiation exposure as well as increasing allergic diseases, vector-and rodent-borne diseases, and other climate-sensitive health outcomes also warrant attention and policy action to protect human health.

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Section: Air Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Health Effects of Climate Change in the WHO European Region

Wolf

Lyne

Martínez

et al. 2015

Climate

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“…However, it is clear that extreme climatic variations include not only heat waves but also more severe winters [1], which also represent a potential danger for respiratory health [7].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate change and respiratory diseases

D’Amato

Cecchi²,

D’Amato³

et al. 2014

Eur Respir Rev

242

108

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@ERSpublications Climate change represents a threat to respiratory health by acting on respiratory diseases or their risk factors http://ow.ly/v6JElChanges in climate constitute a reality that, according to recent projections, is going to worsen in the coming years. Climate change represents a massive threat to respiratory health: 1) by directly promoting or aggravating respiratory diseases; or 2) by increasing exposure to risk factors for respiratory diseases. Climate change increases the amount of pollen and allergen produced by each plant, mould proliferation and the concentrations of outdoor ozone and particulate matter at ground level. The main diseases of concern are asthma, rhinosinusitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory tract infections. Groups at higher risk of climate change effects include individuals with pre-existing cardiopulmonary diseases or disadvantaged individuals. Adaptation and mitigation measures are strongly needed.It is now widely accepted that the earth's temperature is increasing, as confirmed by warming of the oceans, rising sea levels, glaciers melting, sea ice retreating in the Arctic and diminished snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere. Moreover, changes are also occurring in the amount, intensity, frequency and type of precipitation, as well as the increase of extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts, floods and hurricanes [1][2][3]. Most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is probably due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas (namely carbon dioxide, methane and the nitrous oxides) concentrations [1]. Projections of future greenhouse gas emissions indicate a worsening of the situation with between a 1.1 and 6.4uC increase in the mean temperature by the end of the 21st century [1].Climate change represents a massive direct threat to respiratory health by promoting or aggravating respiratory diseases or indirectly by increasing exposure to risk factors for respiratory diseases [4]. Climate affects weather, air and water quality, local and national food supplies, economics and many other critical health determinants. Observational evidence indicates that regional changes in climate, particularly temperature increases, affect a diverse set of physical and biological systems in many parts of the world [1, 2], some of which are of concern for respiratory health. A rapid rise has been observed in the number of hot days, such as the 2003 heat wave where temperatures of o35uC were reached resulting in ,40 000 excess deaths across Europe, mostly for cardiopulmonary causes [5,6]. Sea levels have also started to rise as an effect of a regression of the polar ice packs. Both heat waves and melting ice have led to water deprivation in certain

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“…In a similar vein, the byproducts of urban activity (e.g., air pollution) can act in synergy with climatic factors to enhance health risks (e.g., allergic respiratory ailments) 22,23 .…”

Section: Climate Impacts On Health In Citiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urban governance and the systems approaches to health-environment co-benefits in cities

et al. 2015

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The term “co-benefits” refers to positive outcomes accruing from a policy beyond the intended outcome, often or usually in other sectors. In the urban context, policies implemented in particular sectors (such as transport, energy or waste) often generate multiple co-benefits in other areas. Such benefits may be related to the reduction of local or global environmental impacts and also extend into the area of public health. A key to identifying and realising co-benefits is the adoption of systems approaches to understand inter-sectoral linkages and, in particular, the translation of this understanding to improved sector-specific and city governance. This paper reviews a range of policies which can yield health and climate co-benefits across different urban sectors and illustrates, through a series of cases, how taking a systems approach can lead to innovations in urban governance which aid the development of healthy and sustainable cities.

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Climate change, extreme weather events, air pollution and respiratory health in Europe

Cited by 248 publications

References 138 publications

The Health Effects of Climate Change in the WHO European Region

The Health Effects of Climate Change in the WHO European Region

Climate change and respiratory diseases

Urban governance and the systems approaches to health-environment co-benefits in cities

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