An expert analysis published in the European Respiratory Journal and titled ‘Climate change and respiratory health: a European Respiratory Society position statement’ has shown that people with lung disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) suffer even greater risks from climate change.
The report brings together evidence on how the effects of climate change, such as heatwaves, wildfires and flooding, will exacerbate breathing difficulties for millions of people around the world, particularly babies, young children and the elderly.
The authors of the study called on the European Parliament and governments around the world to urgently reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses and mitigate effects of climate change, on behalf of the European Respiratory Society, which represents more than 30,000 lung specialists from 160 countries.
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Professor Zorana Jovanovic Andersen, who is the Chair of the European Respiratory Society’s Environment and Health Committee and an author of the report said that climate change affects everyone’s health, but arguably, respiratory patients are among the most vulnerable.
“These are people who already experience breathing difficulties and they are far more sensitive to our changing climate, “she said. “Their symptoms will become worse, and for some this will be fatal,”. “Air pollution is already damaging our lungs. Now the effects of climate change are becoming a major threat to respiratory patients.”
According to the report, these effects include higher temperatures and a subsequent increase in airborne allergens, such as pollen. They also include more frequent extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts and wildfires, leading to episodes of extreme air pollution and dust storms, as well as heavy rainfall and flooding, leading to higher humidity and mould in the home.
Story was adapted from Hindustan Times.
