Impact of climate change on non-communicable diseases due to increased ambient air pollution

Abstract

Background: The impacts of air pollutants on health range from short-term health impairments to hospital admissions and deaths. Climate change is leading to an increase in air pollution.

Methods: This article addresses, based on selected literature, the relationship between climate change and air pollutants, the health effects of air pollutants and their modification by air temperature, with a focus on Germany.

Results: Poor air quality increases the risk of many diseases. Climate change is causing, among other things, more periods of extreme heat with simultaneously increased concentrations of air pollutants. The interactions between air temperature and air pollutants, as well as their combined effects on human health, have not yet been sufficiently studied. Limit, target, and guideline values are of particular importance for health protection.

Conclusions: Measures to reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gases must be more strictly implemented. An essential step towards improving air quality is setting stricter air quality limit values in Europe. Prevention and adaptation measures should be accelerated in Germany, as they contribute to climate-resilient and sustainable healthcare systems.

Keywords: AIR POLLUTANTS; AIR TEMPERATURE; CARDIOVASCULAR AND RESPIRATORY DISEASES; HEALTH.

Figure 1

Health impacts of air pollutants Source: Own representation based on European Environment Agency [15] and Thurston et al. [12]

Figure 2

Share of air quality monitoring stations in Germany exceeding in 2020 (dark blue parts of the ring) the new WHO air quality guideline values and interim targets (2021) Source: Own representation based on Wichmann-Fiebig et al [40]