Climate Change, Air Pollution and Health in 21st Century

Climate Change Set to Increase Ozone-Related Deaths Over Next 60 Years, Scientists Warn (Science Daily, Sep. 27, 2011)

Also discussed here: Spain, among the countries with worse prognosis of mortality due to climate change (Health and Medicine News, Sep. 27, 2011)

And here: Global warming to influence ozone-related deaths, says study Earthsky, Sep. 27, 2011)

And here: Health effects of transport-related air pollution (205 page pdf, edited by Michal Krzyzanowski, Birgit Kuna-Dibbert, Jürgen Schneider,

World Health Organization, 2005)

Today's review post has a broad focus on the impact of climate change on health and, in particular, ozone-related deaths in some European countries which may increase by 14% in the next 50 years.



Key Quotes:

“The research is part of the Climate-Trap project and the impact on health directed by Professor Bertil Forsberg of the Umea University of Sweden and charged with preparing for the health sector needs that will be caused by climate change”

“since 1961, Belgium, Ireland, The Netherlands and the UK have seen the biggest impact on ozone-related deaths due to climate change”

“the biggest increase over the next 50 yrs is likely to be seen in Belgium, France, Spain and Portugal, who could expect an increase of between 10 and 14%...Nordic and Baltic countries are predicted to see a decrease over the same period”

"Ozone is a highly oxidative pollutant, linked with hospitalisations and deaths due to problems with the respiratory system. Ground-level ozone formation is due to rise as temperatures increase with climate change. The results of our study have shown the potential effects that climate change can have on ozone levels and how this change will impact upon the health of Europeans."

"Outdoor air pollution is the biggest environmental threat in Europe. If we do not act to reduce levels of ozone and other pollutants, we will see increased hospital admissions, extra medication and millions of lost working days”

Related articles

• Ozone-Related Deaths Expected To Increase Over Next 60 Years (medicalnewstoday.com)
• Climate change set to increase ozone-related deaths over next 60 years (eurekalert.org)
• Climate Change Set to Increase Ozone-Related Deaths Over Next 60 Years, Scientists Warn (climateofourfuture.wordpress.com)
• Climate Change Could Increase Ozone-Related Deaths in Some Countries (livescience.com)
• New Statistical Models to Link Climate Change, Effect of Pollution on Health (obxcommonground.org)
• Health Impacts of Future Heat Waves as a result of Climate Change (pollutionfree.wordpress.com)
• Report predicts heavy costs for climate change (macleans.ca)
• Climate change could cost billions a year by 2020 (cbc.ca)
• Life Would Be Better With Pollution-Free Automobiles (masculinefacecare.wordpress.com)