| Pollution & Air Quality: The connections between climate change, air quality and respiratory health The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report released on February 2, 2007 indicated virtual scientific certainty that the climate is changing at a rate faster than has been experienced for all years that humans have records, and that the cause of this rapid change is human activity. The report outlines the impacts of climate change, specifically with respect to respiratory health, and the findings provide more reasons why air-sealing against outdoor pollens and pollutants caused by global warming is vital to human wellbeing. Human contributions to climate change The leading human causes of climate change are the burning of fossil fuels – coal, oil, gas, diesel, etc. – and intensive agriculture, which releases methane into the atmosphere. The principle greenhouse gas produced from fossil fuels is carbon dioxide, but methane is also released. These gases rise in the atmosphere and, when located in the upper atmosphere, they act like a blanket, preventing the sun's heat that has already reached the earth from dissipating to outer space. Climate change will increase average global temperatures. Increased temperatures result in a faster movement of water through the water cycle, and warmer air can hold more water vapor, causing unusual precipitation and wind patterns. Thus climate change and weather are linked. Fossil fuels also release air pollutants Burning fossil fuels also releases air pollutants – sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs; there are many), carbon monoxide (CO), and other toxic compounds. SOx and NOx react in the atmosphere to produce particulate matter. NOx and some VOCs react in the atmosphere to produce ground-level ozone. Particles and ozone together make smog, which can travel long distances on the prevailing winds, or can be trapped close to the ground during a weather inversion (often with little wind). Thus air pollution and weather are linked. Impacts of climate change Climate change will have many impacts. Specifically with respect to respiratory health, the following impacts are now occurring or may occur in the future: | |
| 1. | An increase in air pollution in certain regions, especially downwind of emission sources. With rising temperatures, air pollution may increase as a result of increased use of air conditioners, refrigerators, and freezers, which can cause power plants to burn more fuel. In those regions that have air pollution associated with warm weather (i.e. locations that have their warm weather carried on southerly winds coming from heavily industrialized areas) a greater number of hot days will also mean a greater number of days with elevated air pollution and associated deleterious impacts on health. There have been an increasing number of instances where people have been exposed to the combination of unusually high temperatures and elevated air pollution. Days with these combined threats are likely to become more frequent as a result of climate change. High temperatures, especially over several days, and elevated air pollution have resulted in high mortality rates in some regions, for example in France in 2003 where thousands of deaths were attributable to air pollution and heat. |
| 2. | An increase in forest fires in some regions, as a result of drier conditions. Burning wood releases particulate matter, carbon monoxide, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and many other toxic chemicals, which make breathing difficult, reduce the immune system defenses against respiratory infections, and can cause heart attacks. Long term or repeated exposures can cause cancer. |
| 3. | An increase in mold growth, and possibly a change in the types of molds in regions affected by elevated levels of precipitation. Changes in precipitation patterns will cause unusual floods and water intrusion in buildings which are not built to withstand heavy rains and winds. Moisture accumulation within buildings creates ideal conditions for mold growth. Exposure to mold is known to cause asthma in some individuals. |
| 4. | An increase in certain types of plants and their pollen. Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and increased temperatures have been shown to foster the growth of certain plants, such as ragweed, and result in increased pollen production. This will lead to an increase in the frequency and severity of asthma and allergy attacks. |
| 5. | Warmer marine water may favor the growth of certain algae responsible for "red tides", which sometimes produce harmful toxins. Recent evidence associates an increase in asthma attacks during red tides in some southern states such as Florida. The alga off the coast of Florida is Karenia brevis. Toxins released from these are carried as aerosols into the air and cause irritation of the nose and throat and exacerbate asthma attacks. |
| Air-sealing can protect against the threats of climate change on occupant health Icynene® helps create a healthier indoor environment: | |
| ° | When sprayed into walls, ceilings, attics, and floors, it expands 100 times its initial volume in seconds to create a soft foam insulation and air barrier material. By minimizing random air leakage, Icynene® reduces the intrusion of outdoor allergens and pollutants. |
| ° | As a qualified air barrier, Icynene® also helps reduce the movement of moisture through the building envelope along with potential problems such as mold growth. (Up to ninety-nine percent of the total moisture movement through a building envelope is carried in air.) |
| ° | Combined with proper mechanical ventilation, Icynene® helps control the indoor relative humidity between 35% and 50% - a level at which the growth of mildew, dust mites and other allergens can be minimized. |
| ° | 100% water-blown and environmentally-friendly, Icynene® contains no ozone-depleting substances, PBDEs or any other brominated compounds. |
| See the healthy benefits of Icynene® in action! The American Lung Association (ALA) Health House® project is a national education program created by the American Lung Association (ALA) to help builders construct healthier homes within varying climates. | |
| Then, take action! Help make a difference in the air you breathe. Tell EPA to set air pollution standards that protect health. | |
| To contact an Icynene Licensed Dealer in your area, click here. | |
Source: http://www.lung.ca | |