The climate crisis is often associated with rising temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns and the occurrence of extreme weather events. But its effects can also be noticed in something that is present all the time: the air we breathe.
Rising temperatures, the increasing occurrence of wildfires and changes in the concentration of certain air pollutants form a combination that can directly affect respiratory health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as other health problems.
For pulmonologist Amanda Portela, changes in the climate can already be noticed in everyday life. “We have been observing changes in the climate, primarily with many heat waves, as well as significant changes in the seasons,” she explains.
When the Climate Changes, the Lungs Feel It
Temperature variations can be just as important as extreme temperatures. According to Amanda, frequent changes between hot and cold weather can be particularly harmful to people who already have respiratory diseases.
“One day it’s hot, the next day it’s cold, and that’s the worst of all”, the pulmonologist says. According to her, patients with respiratory diseases are more sensitive to these climate changes.
The problem becomes even more complex when high temperatures are accompanied by low humidity and pollution. Dry air can cause the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract to become dry, increasing irritation and contributing to symptoms, especially in people with asthma or rhinitis.
The Impact of Wildfires
Heat waves and conditions that are more favorable to wildfires add another element to the equation: smoke.
In addition to visibly covering the sky, wildfire smoke contains a mixture of particles and gases that can rapidly deteriorate air quality. The WHO points out that wildfire smoke contains, among other components, fine particulate matter, ozone and other pollutants capable of affecting the respiratory system.
For Amanda, exposure to smoke poses a risk both to people who already have respiratory diseases and to those without a previous diagnosis.“Both of these things are irritants to the lungs, to our entire respiratory tract”, she explains, referring to pollution and smoke.
One of the body’s responses to inhaling irritating substances can be increased mucus production. For people with conditions such as asthma, however, exposure can trigger an attack.
“In people who already have a respiratory disease, such as patients with asthma, who are more sensitive, inhaling an irritant can cause them to have an attack”, she says.
Children and older adults are among the groups considered particularly vulnerable. The WHO also identifies children and older adults as particularly vulnerable to the health effects of wildfire smoke.
A Problem That Doesn’t End With Smoke
The concern is not limited to wildfires. Pollution in large cities can also pose health risks when exposure occurs continuously.
In cities with high levels of pollution, such as São Paulo, Amanda says that prolonged exposure can contribute to the development of respiratory diseases.
Air pollution contains different substances, including particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. Fine particles, particularly PM2.5, can penetrate deep into the lungs and are associated with several cardiovascular and respiratory effects.
Another pollutant that deserves attention is ground-level ozone. Unlike the ozone layer in the stratosphere, which protects the Earth from ultraviolet radiation, ozone near the surface is a pollutant. It is formed through chemical reactions involving other pollutants, which are favored by sunlight, and can cause respiratory problems and worsen asthma.
Amanda draws attention to this process. “There is also an increase in a pollutant that remains in the atmosphere, called ozone, which is also a harmful pollutant,” she explains.
The relationship between warming and air quality is complex: climate change can alter the conditions that favor the formation and concentration of some pollutants, while pollution sources, such as the burning of fossil fuels, also contribute to global warming.
The Impact Can Appear Before a Disease
Not every effect of pollution necessarily means the immediate development of a lung disease. Exposure can cause acute symptoms, especially in more sensitive individuals.
According to Amanda, persistent coughing, shortness of breath or wheezing after significant exposure to smoke are signs that deserve attention.
“If you have symptoms that persist, it is worth seeking medical evaluation to find out whether there is an established respiratory disease or not,” she advises.
For people who already have a respiratory disease, the recommendation is to pay attention to changes in their usual symptoms. A worsening of symptoms after contact with pollutants may also indicate the need for medical evaluation.
Children and older adults deserve special attention. In the case of children, the pulmonologist explains that their respiratory systems are still developing.
What to Do on Days When Air Quality Is Poor?
During periods of poor air quality, reducing exposure is one of the measures recommended by the pulmonologist.
Amanda recommends monitoring air quality indexes available through weather apps and, when levels are poor, avoiding outdoor physical activities and spending long periods outside.
“Avoid exercising and avoid spending too much time outside during this period”, she advises.
She also recommends paying attention to ventilation during these periods, since opening windows can allow polluted air to enter indoor spaces. When exposure to outdoor environments is necessary, the pulmonologist points to wearing a mask as a possible measure, especially for people who already have respiratory diseases.
More Than an Environmental Issue
The discussion surrounding air quality shows that the effects of the climate crisis are not limited to glaciers, forests or extreme weather events. They can also appear in everyday health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), climate change can increase ground-level ozone and particulate matter air pollution in some locations, leading to negative impacts on human health.
For Amanda, this shift in perspective is necessary. “We have to understand the climate change conditions we are currently facing as a public health issue,” she says.
The challenge, therefore, is not simply breathing on days when smoke is visible. Air quality is the result of a combination of environmental, climatic and urban factors that can affect the population even when pollution cannot be seen with the naked eye. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that climate change can affect air quality and that warming can contribute to increased ground-level ozone in many regions.
“The climate issue sometimes seems like something distant, but in reality, it isn’t,” the pulmonologist concludes.
In this sense, the question of whether the climate crisis is changing the air we breathe is not only about the future. It also concerns the environment in which people live, work and move around every day, as well as the impacts that this atmosphere can have on their lungs over time.
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The article above was edited by Elisa Nuñez.
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