Pollution's Impact: Extreme Weather Events And Climate Change

Climate change is causing temperatures to rise, and the increase in hot, sunny days is worsening air pollution. Warmer temperatures can increase the solubility and toxicity of many pollutants, including heavy metals and chemicals. This is especially true for ground-level ozone, which is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere. Extreme heat and stagnant air during heat waves can increase the amount of ozone and particulate pollution, leading to severe health impacts and infrastructure degradation. Wildfires, which are more frequent due to climate change, release large amounts of black carbon, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and other volatile organic compounds, further worsening air quality. The interplay between extreme heat and air pollution poses deadly consequences, and integrated strategies are necessary to tackle these dual, correlated challenges.

Wildfires and air pollution

Wildfires have been shown to have a detrimental impact on air quality. They release a range of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, including particulate matter, black carbon, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and other volatile organic compounds. These pollutants can spread over vast distances, affecting regions far from the fire's origin. Wildfire smoke is a significant contributor to air pollution, impairing visibility and causing respiratory issues, especially for those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma, COPD, and bronchitis. It also increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Particulate matter, specifically fine particles known as PM2.5, is the main pollutant of concern in wildfire smoke. These particles are extremely small, with diameters of 2.5 micrometers or less, allowing them to penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. The health risks associated with PM2.5 exposure are well-documented, particularly for vulnerable individuals such as those with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, older adults, children, pregnant women, outdoor workers, and people of lower socioeconomic status.

The impact of wildfires on air quality is further exacerbated by the increased frequency and intensity of these fires due to climate change. Warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns contribute to more frequent droughts, creating ideal conditions for wildfires to ignite and spread. As a result, larger and more intense wildfires have become a growing public health concern, affecting communities near or downwind from the fire sites.

Additionally, the combination of extreme heat and stagnant air during heat waves can worsen the effects of wildfire smoke. High temperatures can increase ground-level ozone, a harmful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere. This, coupled with the particulate matter and other pollutants from wildfires, can lead to severe air quality issues, triggering health problems, especially in vulnerable populations.

To mitigate the impact of wildfire smoke on air quality and public health, it is crucial to implement strategies such as monitoring air quality indices, staying indoors with closed windows and doors during hazardous conditions, using air conditioning with recirculation modes, and evacuating to areas with better air quality when necessary.

Thermal pollution and water quality

Thermal pollution, also known as thermal enrichment, is the degradation of water quality by any process that changes the ambient water temperature. It is caused by human activities, such as the use of water as a coolant by power plants and industrial manufacturers. When water used as a coolant is returned to the natural environment at a higher temperature, it decreases the oxygen supply and affects the ecosystem. This can lead to a reduction in species biodiversity and the invasion of new thermophilic species.

One of the largest contributors to thermal pollution is the use of once-through cooling (OTC) systems, which do not reduce temperature effectively. These systems can produce water that is, on average, 10 °C warmer. Temperatures can be monitored through remote sensing techniques, which aid in quantifying each plant's specific effects and allow for tighter regulation of thermal pollution. Converting facilities from OTC to closed-loop systems can significantly decrease thermal pollution.

Thermal pollution can also be caused by the release of very cold water from reservoirs into warmer rivers, lowering the temperature of the receiving water bodies. This can be seen in Australia, where water is released from dams for irrigation during the warmer months. If the water is released from a low point in the dam wall, the coolest water in the dam is discharged, and this water can be more than 10 °C cooler than the receiving water body.

The effects of thermal pollution on water quality include:

• Decreased oxygen levels: Elevated temperatures typically decrease the level of dissolved oxygen in water, as gases are less soluble in hotter liquids. This can harm aquatic animals such as fish, amphibians, and other organisms.
• Increased metabolic rate: Thermal pollution may increase the metabolic rate of aquatic animals, leading to increased food consumption and potential resource depletion.
• Compromised food chains: The invasion of new thermophilic species and the adaptation of existing organisms to warmer temperatures can compromise the food chains of both old and new environments.
• Reduced biodiversity: Higher temperatures can decrease oxygen dispersion into deeper waters, fostering anaerobic conditions and reducing species biodiversity.
• Increased solubility of pollutants: Warmer temperatures can increase the solubility of pollutants such as heavy metals and industrial waste, making them more toxic and leading to long-term health problems for organisms and humans.
• Harmful bacteria and pathogens: Warmer temperatures promote the growth of harmful bacteria and pathogens, which can spread diseases to humans and animals.

Climate change and health risks

Climate change poses a variety of risks to human health. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that climate change affects all aspects of health, from clean air, water, and soil to food systems and livelihoods. WHO data indicates that 2 billion people lack safe drinking water, and 600 million suffer from foodborne illnesses annually, with children under 5 bearing 30% of foodborne fatalities. Climate stressors heighten waterborne and foodborne disease risks, and in 2020, 770 million faced hunger, predominantly in Africa and Asia.

Climate change is also causing an increase in extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, storms, and floods, which can directly lead to death and illness. Heat-related deaths among those over 65 have risen by 70% in two decades, and recent research attributes 37% of these deaths to human-induced climate change. Heatwaves can also worsen air quality, creating a dual threat to human health. Wildfires, for example, release large amounts of black carbon, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and other volatile organic compounds. Exposure to wildfire smoke can worsen respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, and has been linked to premature births.

The changing climate is expected to cause longer and warmer springs and summers, which will increase people's exposure to pollen and other airborne allergens, leading to more allergy-related illnesses. Additionally, temperature and precipitation changes enhance the spread of vector-borne diseases like Lyme disease and the West Nile virus.

The health impacts of climate change disproportionately affect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged populations, including women, children, ethnic minorities, poor communities, migrants, older populations, and those with underlying health conditions. Low-income populations, for example, may live in older, poorly sealed buildings, increasing their exposure to outdoor allergens and pollutants.

Extreme heat and health outcomes

Extreme heat is a significant health hazard, and the number of people exposed to it is growing exponentially due to climate change. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent, prolonged, intense, and severe due to climate change, and this trend is expected to continue throughout the 21st century. This increase in extreme heat events has serious health implications, including increased mortality and morbidity, particularly among older adults, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions.

Heat stress is the leading cause of weather-related deaths, and it can exacerbate underlying illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory issues, and mental health conditions. It can also increase the risk of accidents and the transmission of certain infectious diseases. Heatstroke, a medical emergency with a high fatality rate, is one of the most severe consequences of heat stress. The strain on the body to cool itself during extreme heat also stresses the heart and kidneys, leading to an increased risk of acute kidney injury.

The combination of extreme heat and air pollution exacerbates these health risks. High temperatures can worsen air quality by increasing particulate matter, ground-level ozone, and the frequency and intensity of wildfires. Wildfire smoke contains harmful pollutants that can impair respiratory health, especially in vulnerable populations. Additionally, the stagnant air during heatwaves can trap pollution near the surface, further increasing exposure to harmful pollutants.

The health impacts of extreme heat are not limited to physical ailments but also include mental health outcomes. Research has linked extreme heat to increased stress, anxiety, cognitive impairment, and mental health-related hospital admissions and emergency department visits. The risk of heat-related illness or death is further elevated for individuals with pre-existing behavioral health conditions or those taking certain medications or substances.

To address these health challenges, interventions such as heat action plans, early warning systems, and emergency response plans are crucial. The World Health Organization (WHO) is actively working to strengthen governance, preparedness, and response to acute heatwave impacts. Additionally, initiatives like the Heat & Health Index (HHI) in the US provide data to identify vulnerable areas and populations, helping public health officials and policymakers develop targeted interventions.

Air pollution and health outcomes

Air pollution is a major threat to global health and prosperity, and it is the biggest environmental risk factor for early death. It is responsible for more than 6 million premature deaths each year from heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and lung disease. In addition, air pollution is linked to adverse birth outcomes, with research indicating that reducing PM2.5 exposure could lead to significant reductions in the number of low-birth weight and pre-term birth infants.

The health effects of air pollution are far-reaching and impact people of all ages. Children, in particular, are vulnerable to the health consequences of air pollution. Research has shown that exposure to smoke from agricultural burns for as little as two weeks per year may worsen children's respiratory health and increase their risk of developing asthma. Furthermore, higher PM2.5 exposure has been linked to impaired brain development in children. Older adults are also at an increased risk of health issues due to air pollution, with long-term exposure to certain pollutants increasing the risk of emphysema more than smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.

Air pollution is a complex mixture of small particles (pollutants) and hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources. Vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas used for heating, and by-products of manufacturing and power generation are significant contributors to air pollution. Wildfires, agricultural burns, and industrial processes also release pollutants into the atmosphere, including particulate matter (PM), which is composed of chemicals such as sulfates, nitrates, carbon, or mineral dust.

Particulate matter, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), poses serious health risks. Due to its small size, PM2.5 can be inhaled deeply into the lungs, contributing to heart attacks, strokes, asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer. Coarse particulate matter (PM10) is also harmful and is known to cause nasal and upper respiratory tract problems. Black carbon, a component of particulate matter, is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, hypertension, asthma, and various types of cancer.

Ozone, another significant air pollutant, is formed at ground level when pollutants from cars, power plants, and industrial sources react chemically in the presence of sunlight. Ground-level ozone, often referred to as smog, can have detrimental health effects, particularly on vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant people, and older adults. It can also damage ecosystems and reduce crop production by impairing the ability of plants to convert sunlight into growth.

The impact of air pollution on health is not limited to physical ailments but also extends to mental health. Research has indicated that air pollution can negatively affect mental well-being, with potential consequences for worker productivity and even stock market performance. Furthermore, air pollution knows no boundaries and can easily be transported over long distances by wind or atmospheric conditions, affecting communities far from the original source of pollution.

Frequently asked questions