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Transcript of Air Quality Climate Change Training Module Air Quality, Climate Change and Public Health Minnesota...
Air QualityClimate Change Training Module
Air Quality, Climate Change
and Public HealthMinnesota Climate and Health Program
Minnesota Department of HealthEnvironmental Impacts Analysis Unit
October 2012
625 Robert Street NorthPO Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
Notice
MDH developed this presentation 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.
2
Outline
Introduction to Air Quality and Public Health Climate Changes in MN Climate Change and Air Quality
Particulate matter Ground-level ozone Allergens
Public Health/Government Strategies
3
Air Quality and Public Health
HistoryIn the twelfth century, air pollution was already associated with urban environments and their higher population densities1948, Donora, PA smog event:
20 dead, 4,000 hospitalized1952, “Great 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
4London, Dec 5-9, 1952
Donora, Oct 26-29, 1948
Air Quality and Public Health
Air quality has been improving From 2001 to 2012:
Ground-level ozone is 13% lower Year-round particle pollution is 24% lower Short-term particle pollution is 28% lower
However, we still have a ways to goHealth impacts occur at lower levels of air pollutants than previously thought41% of U.S. population lives in counties that have unhealthful levels of either ground-level ozone or particle pollutionRamsey County received an “F” in the American Lung Association 2012 State of the Air report for short-term particle pollution
5
Air Quality and Public Health
6
People can be affected by poor air quality because of exposure and/or sensitivity
Persons affected 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 daysPersons affected due to sensitivity:
Have existing health conditions: Asthma Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Heart disease Allergies Young children Elderly
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
7
8
Weather versus Climate
Weather: conditions of the atmosphere over a short period of time
Climate: conditions of the atmosphere over long periods of time (30-year standard averaging period)
Climate Changes
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There have been three recent significant observed climate trends in Minnesota:
The average temperature is increasing The average number of days with a high
dew point may be increasing The character of precipitation is changing
Climate Changes: Temperature
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Temperature has been rising in Minnesota.
Climate Changes: Temperature
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Three significant observations in this overall warming:
Winter 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 1°F in southern Minnesota to a little over 2°F in much of the northern part of the state
Climate Changes: Dew Point
12
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 people's sweat to evaporate, which is how we cool ourselves
The number of days with high dew point temperatures (≥ 70°F) may be increasing in Minnesota
Climate Changes: Dew Point
13Source: Dr. Mark Seeley, Climatologist, University of Minnesota
Climate Changes: Precipitation
14
On average, the total precipitation in the state has increased since the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s.
Climate Changes: Precipitation
15
The character of precipitation in Minnesota is changing More localized, heavy
precipitation events Potential to cause both
increased flooding and drought
Climate Changes
What do the trends mean?
Extreme Weather:Increased extreme heat events and reduced cooling overnight Increased intense, localized storms and floodingIncreased localized drought and fires
Changing ecosystems:Earlier ice outEarlier flowering and longer growing season
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Climate Change
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Climate changes have not only brought Minnesota an earlier growing season but changes in the types of plants that will thrive here
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
18
Climate Change and Air Quality
One study estimates that each one degree Celsius (1.8°F) increase in temperature would cause about 1,000 additional deaths in the US associated with air pollution. (Jacobson, 2008)
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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 . . .
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
20
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
21
Particulate Matter
Particulate matter is a major pollutant for which concentrations are anticipated to be affected by 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 agriculturePollenFine particles from burning fossil fuels in factories, power plants, and diesel- and gasoline-powered motor vehicles
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Particulate Matter
Particulate matter (PM) can have serious health impacts
Effects of acute exposure : Short-term decrease in lung
function Exacerbation of respiratory and
cardiovascular diseases Hospitalizations and deaths
Effects of long term exposure: Respiratory and cardiovascular
diseases Cardiopulmonary and lung
cancer deaths
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Potential health effects of PM exposure, increased risk of:impaired respiratory function
chronic cough
bronchitis
chest illness
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
pneumonia
cardiovascular diseases
allergic disease and asthma
cardiopulmonary diseases
cancer
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 stationary 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
24
Particulate Matter
Climate change may affect exposures to PM by: Increasing emissions from fossil fuel-fired power
plants due to demand for electricity for cooling Increasing natural sources of air pollutant emissions
Wildfire smoke induced by drought and heat
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Particulate Matter
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2011 Boundary Waters Canoe Area wildfire burned nearly 145 square miles and costs reached $21 million. Smoke and ash spread as far as northeast Wisconsin and Traverse City, Michigan.
(MPR News, 2011)
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
27
Ground-Level Ozone
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 sunlight and heat.
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Source: American Lung Association
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 decrease lung function, and may also cause new-onset asthma
Elevated ozone levels can exacerbate other conditions, such as asthma and allergies
29
Ground-Level Ozone
Populations at risk of health effects from ground-level ozone:
At risk from exposure: Healthy people, especially athletes
and outdoor workers 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
30
Ground-Level Ozone
Climate change could significantly increase 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
31
Minnesota Pollution Control AgencyAir Quality Indexhttp://aqi.pca.state.mn.us/
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
32
Allergens
33
An allergy is the body’s 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 Ragweed plant
Source: Mary Jelks, MD, AAAAI
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 response
Particulate matter also increases allergic responses by extending how long the allergens stay in the body
34
Climate Change Impacts on Pollen
35
Temperature
Carbon dioxide
Precipitation
Climate change impacts on pollen:
Increased pollen production, longer pollen season, increased potency airborne allergens
Proliferation of weedy plant species that are known producers of allergenic pollen
Introduction of new allergen-producing plant species
Allergens: Pollen
36
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 of ragweed pollen season from 1995 to 2009
Check pollen report at http://pollen.aaaai.org/
Allergens: Pollen
37Source: National Wildlife Federation, 2010
Allergens: Mold
Mold growth is enhanced by moisture Increase in precipitation/floods Increase in temperature and/or humidity Increase in plant growth/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
38Extensive mold contamination of ceiling and walls
(Source Terry Brennan, http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldcourse/imagegallery5.html)
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
39
Public Health/Gov’t Strategies
MitigationEffective 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 fossil fuels
Reduce urban heat island effect Maintain green space
40
Example of urban heat island mitigation:
Target Center Green Roof
Minneapolis, MN
Public Health/Gov’t Strategies
Adaptation
Policies/strategies to adapt to health impacts from exposure to air pollutants include:
Monitor AQI days Promote awarenessSupport public health tracking of diseases such as asthma and allergic diseaseUtilize low allergenic pollen producing plants for landscaping
41
Summary
Minnesota’s climate is changing: Increases in temperature Increases in high dew point temperatures Increases in extreme precipitation events
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, education and coordinated mitigation planning with other agencies can reduce the health impacts
42
Thank You
Questions?
43
Contact Minnesota Climate and Health Program:
651-201-4893
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/climatechange/index.html October 3, 2012
Acknowledgements
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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 HealthHillary Carpenter, Minnesota Department of Health Anne Claflin, Minnesota Pollution Control AgencyGregory Pratt, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Naomi Shinoda, Minnesota Department of Health
References
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Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-06/164F, 2008. Available online: http://www.epa.gov/research/gems/scinews_aeroallergens.htm U.S. EPA. 2011. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Prevalence and Mortality. Accessed online May 8, 2012: http://cfpub.epa.gov/eroe/index.cfm?fuseaction=detail.viewInd&lv=list.listByAlpha&r=235293&subtop=381U.S. EPA. 2012. Ground-level ozone: Health effects. Accessed May 8, 2012: http://www.epa.gov/air/ozonepollution/health.html Western Regional Climate Center. (WRCC) 2011a. Minnesota Temperature 1890 – 2010: 12 month period ending in December. Generated
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Photo Credits
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Slide 4: Top image of Donora, PA smog event of 1948 from Prints and Photographs Collection, History of Medicine Division, National Library of Medicine, as cited in Helfand et al. 2001. “Donora , Pennsylvania: An Environmental Disaster of the 20 th Century,” American Journal of Public Health Vol 91, No 4, pp553. Bottom image of London, UK smog event of 1952 from Wikipedia “Great Smog”, available online: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Smog
Slide 6: Image source – Microsoft Clip Art Slide 8: Image source – Microsoft Clip Art Slide 15: Image source – Microsoft Clip Art Slide 17: 2006 The National Arbor Day Foundation, taken from “Extreme Allergies and Global Warming: National Wildlife Federations 2010”
available online at: http://www.nwf.org/~/media/PDFs/Global-Warming/Reports/NWF_AllergiesFinal.ashx Slide 19: Image source – Microsoft Clip Art Slide 20: Top Image source – Microsoft Clip Art; Bottom Image source – Microsoft Clip Art Slide 22: Image source – U.S. EPA, available online: http://www.epa.gov/airscience/air-particulatematter.htm Slide 24: Image source – Microsoft Clip Art Slide 25: Image source – Microsoft Clip Art Slide 26: Image source – Microsoft Clip Art Slide 28: Image source – American Lung Association, available online: http://www.stateoftheair.org/2012/health-risks/health-risks-
ozone.html Slide 29: Image source – Microsoft Clip Art Slide 30: Image source – Microsoft Clip Art Slide 31: AQI image source – Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, available online: http://aqi.pca.state.mn.us/ Slide 33: Giant Ragweed plant image source – Mary Jelks, MD, AAAAI, available online:
http://www.aaaai.org/about-the-aaaai/newsroom/media-gallery/photos---graphics--plants.aspx Slide 34: Image source – Microsoft Clip Art Slide 36: Screen shot of AAAAI pollen report Slide 37: Image source - National Wildlife Federation, 2010 Slide 38: Image source – Source Terry Brennan, http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldcourse/imagegallery5.html Slide 40: Image source – Pam Blixt, City of Minneapolis