In this article, I am going to discuss the effects Climate Change is having on public health. As we have evolved and our population has grown, we have become acquainted with a lifestyle of convenience. This has made our lives easier in so many ways, however, this has brought along unanticipated consequences.
Air Pollution
Currently, 99% of the world’s population is living in areas that exceed the World Health Organisations’ Ambient Air quality guidelines. The pollutants that are of considerable concern for human health are:
- Carbon Dioxide: Produced during the combustion of fossil fuels, wood and the decay of organic materials (beer, bread etc).
- Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10): Small particles produced during the combustion process, such as soot and ash.
- Nitrogen dioxide: Combustion processes: burning of coal, wood, tobacco etc
- Sulphur Dioxide: Burning of fossil fuels
- Ozone (O3): Formed due to a relationship with the oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, methane, benzene etc.) and sunlight.
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): Produced when coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage, and tobacco are burned.
- Methane: Largely produced by the burning of fossil fuels, enteric fermentation (cows) and the decay of landfill.
Most Common Pollutants And Their Impact On Health
| Most Common Pollutants to impact health | Adverse health effects when inhaled |
| Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10) | The numbers illustrate the size of the particles, the smaller the particles the more detrimental they are to human health, as it improves access to our cardiorespiratory systems. |
| Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Carbon Dioxide and Ozone | These gases irritate the airways of the lungs, worsening already present respiratory illnesses (Asthma, COPD etc) |
| Carbon Monoxide | This gas reduces the volume of oxygen in the blood, directly reducing the supply of oxygen to key organs, such as the heart and lungs. |
The same greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to climate change are also negatively impacting human health. These gases are a natural byproduct and are linked to mass human consumption and the production of goods.
What does the evidence say?
A study conducted in China, evaluating the health effects of PM pollution and found in 2004, there were:
- 280,000+ deaths
- 680,000 + cases of Chronic Bronchitis
- 2,100,733 Acute Bronchitis cases
- 2,655,000+ Asthma Attacks
Take from that, what you will. The mismanagement of pollution is a grave mistake, and it is avoidable.
Air Pollution Impacts Certain Social Groups In More Detrimental Ways.
Environmental inequity is particularly present in:
Another longitudinal study in Southern California, found a significant increase the lung function among children, after the introduction of the air quality policies. Scientifically showing that the damages being caused are reversible if actions are put in place sooner than later.
Climate Change isn’t just an environmental problem, as it affects every part of our daily lives.
Conclusion
Air pollution is affecting everyone, no matter, your age, gender and social class.
If you’re apprehensive about climate change, you have every right to be. There is so much misinformation out there!
However, we do know that air pollution is something we should all be aiming to reduce, for the sake of our health.
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