US Climate and Health Alliance

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

Abstract

Due to climate change and other factors, air pollution patterns are changing in several urbanised areas of the world, with a significant effect on respiratory health both independently and synergistically with weather conditions; climate scenarios show Europe as one of the most vulnerable regions. European studies on heatwave episodes have consistently shown a synergistic effect of air pollution and high temperatures, while the potential weather-air pollution interaction during wildfires and dust storms is unknown. Allergen patterns are also changing in response to climate change, and air pollution can modify the allergenic potential of pollens, especially in the presence of specific weather conditions. The underlying mechanisms of all these interactions are not well known; the health consequences vary from decreases in lung function to allergic diseases, new onset of diseases, exacerbation of chronic respiratory diseases, and premature death. These multidimensional climate-pollution-allergen effects need to be taken into account in estimating both climate and air pollution-related respiratory effects, in order to set up adequate policy and public health actions to face both the current and future climate and pollution challenges.

Resource Type
Peer-reviewed article
Authors
M. De Sario K. Katsouyanni P. Michelozzi
Resource URL
http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/3/826.full
Publication
The European Respiratory Journal
Journal Abbr.
Eur. Respir. J.
Volume
42
Issue
3
Pages
826-843
Date
Sep 2013
DOI
10.1183/09031936.00074712
ISSN
1399-3003
Organization Type
Academic
Health and Human Impacts
Allergies Heat illness/extreme temperature Respiratory disease
Climate and Environmental Impacts
Air pollution Extreme weather events Heat Wildfires
Region
International
Other
Health surveillance

Resources main page