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In accordance with an expert analysis featured in the European Respiratory Journal, individuals dealing with lung disorders like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are confronted with even more significant dangers resulting from climate change. The report compiles evidence regarding how climate change’s effects, including heatwaves, wildfires, and flooding, will exacerbate respiratory issues for millions of individuals worldwide, particularly infants, young children, and the elderly. Acting on behalf of the European Respiratory Society, which represents over 30,000 lung specialists from 160 countries, the authors are urging the European Parliament and governments worldwide to promptly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and counteract climate change’s consequences.
Professor Zorana Jovanovic Andersen, who chairs the European Respiratory Society’s Environment and Health Committee and is affiliated with the University of Copenhagen, co-authored the report titled “Climate change and respiratory health: a European Respiratory Society position statement.” She stated, “Climate change affects everyone’s health, but respiratory patients are arguably among the most vulnerable. These individuals already grapple with breathing difficulties, and they are notably sensitive to the changing climate. Their symptoms will worsen, and for some, this could prove fatal.”
According to the report, these repercussions encompass higher temperatures leading to increased airborne allergens like pollen. They also entail more frequent extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires, resulting in periods of severe air pollution and dust storms, as well as heavy rainfall and flooding, leading to elevated humidity and mold within homes.
The report specifically underscores the heightened risk to infants and children, whose lungs are still in the developmental stages.
This year has witnessed record-breaking high temperatures across the globe, along with heatwaves, devastating wildfires, rainstorms, and flooding in Europe. Professor Jovanovic Andersen remarked, “As healthcare professionals specializing in respiratory care, it is our responsibility to be aware of these new risks and take all possible measures to alleviate patients’ suffering. Additionally, we must educate our patients about these risks so they can safeguard themselves against the adverse effects of climate change.”
Current air quality standards within the European Union (EU) surpass the World Health Organization (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines, with EU standards at 25 micrograms per cubic meter for fine particles (PM2.5) and 40 micrograms per cubic meter for nitrogen dioxide, compared to WHO guidelines of 5 micrograms per cubic meter for PM2.5 and 10 micrograms per cubic meter for nitrogen dioxide. Nevertheless, the EU is currently in the process of revising its Ambient Air Quality Directive.
Professor Jovanovic Andersen asserted, “The existing limits are outdated and fail to safeguard the health of EU citizens. Implementing ambitious new air quality standards would ensure cleaner air and better health for all Europeans, in addition to contributing to mitigating the climate change crisis. We call upon the European Parliament to promptly adopt and enforce more secure limits.”
She further emphasized, “We all require clean, safe air to breathe. This necessitates action from policymakers to counteract the impacts of climate change on both our planet and our health.”
