1、,Air Quality Climate Change Training Module,Air Quality, Climate Change and Public Health,Minnesota Climate and Health Program Minnesota Department of Health Environmental Impacts Analysis Unit October 2012,625 Robert Street North PO Box 64975 St. Paul, MN 55164-0975,2,Notice,MDH developed this pres
2、entation based on scientific research published in peer-reviewed journals. References for information can be found in the relevant slides and/or at the end of the presentation.,3,Outline,Introduction to Air Quality and Public Health Climate Changes in MN Climate Change and Air Quality Particulate ma
3、tter Ground-level ozone Allergens Public Health/Government Strategies,4,Air Quality and Public Health,HistoryIn the twelfth century, air pollution was already associated with urban environments and their higher population densities 1948, Donora, PA smog event: 20 dead, 4,000 hospitalized 1952, “Grea
4、t Smog” in London, England 4,000+ excess deaths during 5 day event (Dec 5 9, 1952) 12,000+ excess deaths estimated due to persisting effects between Dec 1952 Feb 1953,London, Dec 5-9, 1952,Donora, Oct 26-29, 1948,5,Air Quality and Public Health,Air quality has been improvingFrom 2001 to 2012: Ground
5、-level ozone is 13% lower Year-round particle pollution is 24% lower Short-term particle pollution is 28% lowerHowever, we still have a ways to go Health impacts occur at lower levels of air pollutants than previously thought 41% of U.S. population lives in counties that have unhealthful levels of e
6、ither ground-level ozone or particle pollution Ramsey County received an “F” in the American Lung Association 2012 State of the Air report for short-term particle pollution,6,Air Quality and Public Health,People can be affected by poor air quality because of exposure and/or sensitivityPersons affect
7、ed due to exposure: Certain occupations, such as professional drivers (trucks, taxis), parking lot attendants, construction workers and others living and working near pollution sources Athletes and outdoor workers on high pollution days Persons affected due to sensitivity: Have existing health condi
8、tions: Asthma Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Heart disease Allergies Young children Elderly,7,Introduction to Air Quality and Public Health Climate Changes in Minnesota Climate Changes and Air Quality Particulate matter Ground-level ozone Allergens Public Health/Government Strategies,8
9、,Weather versus Climate,Weather: conditions of the atmosphere over a short period of timeClimate: conditions of the atmosphere over long periods of time (30-year standard averaging period),9,Climate Changes,There have been three recent significant observed climate trends in Minnesota: The average te
10、mperature is increasing The average number of days with a high dew point may be increasing The character of precipitation is changing,10,Climate Changes: Temperature,Temperature has been rising in Minnesota.,11,Climate Changes: Temperature,Three significant observations in this overall warming: Wint
11、er temperatures have been rising about twice as fast as annual average temperatures Minimum or overnight low temperatures have been rising faster than the maximum temperature, or daytime high Since the early 1980s, the temperature has risen slightly over 1F in southern Minnesota to a little over 2F
12、in much of the northern part of the state,12,Climate Changes: Dew Point,Dew point definition: Dew point is a measure of water vapor in the air The higher the dew point, the more difficult it is for peoples sweat to evaporate, which is how we cool ourselves The number of days with high dew point temp
13、eratures ( 70F) may be increasing in Minnesota,13,Climate Changes: Dew Point,Source: Dr. Mark Seeley, Climatologist, University of Minnesota,14,Climate Changes: Precipitation,On average, the total precipitation in the state has increased since the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s.,15,Climate Changes: Prec
14、ipitation,The character of precipitation in Minnesota is changing More localized, heavy precipitation events Potential to cause both increased flooding and drought,16,Climate Changes,What do the trends mean?Extreme Weather: Increased extreme heat events and reduced cooling overnight Increased intens
15、e, localized storms and flooding Increased localized drought and firesChanging ecosystems: Earlier ice out Earlier flowering and longer growing season,17,Climate Change,Climate changes have not only brought Minnesota an earlier growing season but changes in the types of plants that will thrive here,
16、18,Outline,Introduction to Air Quality and Public Health Climate Change in Minnesota Climate Change and Air Quality Particulate matter Ground-level ozone Allergens Public Health/Government Strategies,19,Climate Change and Air Quality,One study estimates that each one degree Celsius (1.8F) increase i
17、n temperature would cause about 1,000 additional deaths in the US associated with air pollution. (Jacobson, 2008),20,Climate Change and Air Quality,Climate change may affect exposures to air pollutants by: Creating both more windiness and more air stagnation events Increasing temperatures which . .
18、. Increase pollution from fossil fuel combustion to meet electricity demand for increased air conditioner use Increase production of natural sources of air pollutant emissions Increase formation of ground-level ozone Lengthening the allergy season, creating more potent allergens,21,Outline,Introduct
19、ion to Air Quality and Public Health Climate Change in Minnesota Climate Change and Air Quality Particulate matter Ground-level ozone Allergens Public Health/Government Strategies,22,Particulate Matter,Particulate matter is a major pollutant for which concentrations are anticipated to be affected by
20、 climate change, and is therefore emphasized for public health impacts.Particulate matter comes in different sizes (coarse and fine) from a number of sources including: Dust and other small particles from construction, mining and agriculture Pollen Fine particles from burning fossil fuels in factori
21、es, power plants, and diesel- and gasoline-powered motor vehicles,23,Particulate Matter,Particulate matter (PM) can have serious health impactsEffects of acute exposure : Short-term decrease in lung function Exacerbation of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases Hospitalizations and deaths Effects
22、of long term exposure: Respiratory and cardiovascular diseases Cardiopulmonary and lung cancer deaths,24,Particulate Matter,Populations at risk of health effects from particulate matter At risk from exposure: Persons living or working in urban areas, especially near high-traffic corridors and/or sta
23、tionary sources of PM (such as factories or power plants) At risk from sensitivity: Persons with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases Elderly and children Persons with asthma and/or allergies,25,Particulate Matter,Climate change may affect exposures to PM by: Increasing emissions from fossil fuel
24、-fired power plants due to demand for electricity for cooling Increasing natural sources of air pollutant emissions Wildfire smoke induced by drought and heat,26,Particulate Matter,2011 Boundary Waters Canoe Area wildfire burned nearly 145 square miles and costs reached $21 million. Smoke and ash sp
25、read as far as northeast Wisconsin and Traverse City, Michigan. (MPR News, 2011),27,Outline,Introduction to Air Quality and Public Health Climate Change in Minnesota Climate Change and Air Quality Particulate matter Ground-level ozone Allergens Public Health/Government Strategies,28,Ground-Level Ozo
26、ne,Ground-level ozone is a main pollutant for which concentrations are anticipated to be affected by climate change, and is therefore emphasized for public health impacts.Ground-level ozone is formed by the reaction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) in the presence of sun
27、light and heat.,Source: American Lung Association,29,Ground-Level Ozone,Ground-level ozone exposure is linked to harmful respiratory conditions and cardiopulmonary impacts Short-term exposure to elevated ozone can lead to hospitalizations or death Long-term exposure to lower levels of ozone can decr
28、ease lung function, and may also cause new-onset asthma Elevated ozone levels can exacerbate other conditions, such as asthma and allergies,30,Ground-Level Ozone,Populations at risk of health effects from ground-level ozone: At risk from exposure: Healthy people, especially athletes and outdoor work
29、ers in landscape and construction who may be exposed to higher levels of ozone for longer periods of time on high pollution days At risk from sensitivity: Persons with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases Older adults and children,31,Ground-Level Ozone,Climate change could significantly increase
30、summertime ground-level ozone by: Increasing temperatures Creating stagnant air conditions Affecting natural sources of air pollutant emissions (biogenic VOCs) Overall, increase poor air quality index (AQI) days Effect is most likely during the summer months, downwind of urban areas,Minnesota Pollut
31、ion Control Agency Air Quality Index http:/aqi.pca.state.mn.us/,32,Outline,Introduction to Air Quality and Public Health Climate Change in Minnesota Climate Change and Air Quality Particulate matter Ground-level ozone Allergens Public Health/Government Strategies,33,Allergens,An allergy is the bodys
32、 immune system overreacting to certain substances Common allergens that may be affected by climate changes include: Pollen Mold Approximately 25 million Americans suffer from hay fever (allergic rhinitis) It costs approximately $11.2 billion per year to treat allergic rhinitis in the U.S.,Giant Ragw
33、eed plant Source: Mary Jelks, MD, AAAAI,34,Allergens,Allergens can affect persons with allergies and asthma Allergens can interact with air pollution to amplify their individual effects: When ground-level ozone levels are high, it takes much less ragweed pollen to trigger an asthmatic or allergic re
34、sponse Particulate matter also increases allergic responses by extending how long the allergens stay in the body,35,Climate Change Impacts on Pollen,Precipitation,Climate change impacts on pollen:,Increased pollen production, longer pollen season, increased potency airborne allergens Proliferation o
35、f weedy plant species that are known producers of allergenic pollen Introduction of new allergen-producing plant species,36,Allergens: Pollen,Allergenic pollen will be worse in urban areas: up to 7x higher than surrounding rural areas Minneapolis has already experienced a 16 day increase in length o
36、f ragweed pollen season from 1995 to 2009,Check pollen report at http:/pollen.aaaai.org/,37,Allergens: Pollen,Source: National Wildlife Federation, 2010,38,Allergens: Mold,Mold growth is enhanced by moisture Increase in precipitation/floods Increase in temperature and/or humidity Increase in plant g
37、rowth/plant biomass decay (leaf litter) Improper installation or management of air conditioning systems can create conditions ripe for mold Mold can cause coughing, wheezing, nasal and throat conditions, and adversely affect persons with asthma or weakened immune systems,Extensive mold contamination
38、 of ceiling and walls (Source Terry Brennan, http:/www.epa.gov/mold/moldcourse/imagegallery5.html),39,Outline,Introduction to Air Quality and Public Health Climate Change in Minnesota Climate Change and Air Quality Particulate matter Ground-level ozone Allergens Public Health/Government Strategies,4
39、0,Public Health/Govt Strategies,Mitigation Effective policies to mitigate health impacts from exposure to air pollutants focus on the reduction of air pollutant emissions Reduce production of harmful air pollutants Improve energy efficiency Use alternatives to fossil fuels Reduce combustion of fossi
40、l fuels Reduce urban heat island effect Maintain green space,Example of urban heat island mitigation: Target Center Green Roof Minneapolis, MN,41,Public Health/Govt Strategies,AdaptationPolicies/strategies to adapt to health impacts from exposure to air pollutants include:Monitor AQI days Promote aw
41、areness Support public health tracking of diseases such as asthma and allergic disease Utilize low allergenic pollen producing plants for landscaping,42,Summary,Minnesotas climate is changing: Increases in temperature Increases in high dew point temperatures Increases in extreme precipitation events
42、 Climate changes will likely increase: Particulate matter Formation of ozone Pollen and mold Certain populations are at greater risk from exposure to pollution and allergens, especially those with existing respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, the elderly, and children Public health awareness,
43、education and coordinated mitigation planning with other agencies can reduce the health impacts,43,Thank You,Questions?,Contact Minnesota Climate and Health Program: 651-201-4893 651-201-5759 TTY health.climatechangestate.mn.us http:/www.health.state.mn.us/divs/climatechange/index.html,October 3, 20
44、12,44,Acknowledgements,This work was supported by cooperative agreement 5UE1EH000738 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Special thanks to the following people for their contributions to the creation of this training module:Wendy Brunner, Minnesota Department of Health Hillary Carpen
45、ter, Minnesota Department of Health Anne Claflin, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Gregory Pratt, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Naomi Shinoda, Minnesota Department of Health,45,References,Amann, Swart, Raes, Tuinstra. 2004. A good climate for clean air: linkages between climate change and air
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