respiratory
Newsletter
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Maui residents struggle with health issues months after devastating fires
Months following the catastrophic fire in Lahaina, Maui, residents are facing serious health complications, including respiratory problems and psychological distress, while grappling with inadequate medical resources.
In short:
- The Maui Wildfire Exposure Study reveals a strong correlation between exposure to fire debris and adverse health outcomes.
- Local health services are overwhelmed, with significant increases in reported cases of depression and anxiety among the affected residents.
- Access to healthcare has deteriorated, impacting particularly Native Hawaiians and other minority communities in the region.
Key quote:
"You can see it in the data. We are capturing a broad insight into exposures and issues that no one has done before."
— Ruben Juarez, professor of health economics
Why this matters:
These struggles are a reminder of the long-term health consequences that can follow natural disasters, especially in areas not sufficiently equipped to handle their immediate impacts or their lingering aftermath.
Related EHN coverage:
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Coastal women in Bangladesh face health issues due to climate change
Women living in Bangladesh's coastal regions are severely affected by climate change-induced salinity, leading to various health complications.
In short:
- The increased salinity in coastal areas has led to reproductive health issues among women, including miscarriages and difficulties in pregnancy.
- Local women suffer from waterborne diseases, hypertension, and respiratory infections due to a lack of safe drinking water.
- Initiatives by Brac, such as the installation of water tanks, have provided some relief, but challenges remain, particularly during dry seasons.
Key quote:
"It is a very troubling situation for the women living here. Due to the saline water, women face difficulty in getting pregnant and have miscarriages frequently."
— Sumi Akter, Mongla resident.
Why this matters:
This issue highlights the direct human impact of climate change on health, particularly for vulnerable populations like women in coastal areas. It underscores the need for effective environmental and health policies to mitigate the consequences of climate change.
LISTEN: Azmal Hossan on the sociology of climate crises in South Asia.
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Credit: Mike Baker/Unsplash
Health impacts of Maui wildfire revealed in new study
A study shows alarming health issues among Maui wildfire survivors, including high rates of depression and respiratory problems.
In short:
- The University of Hawaii study found increased depression and respiratory issues among Maui wildfire survivors.
- Preliminary results indicate a significant decline in health post-wildfire, with potential long-term impacts.
- The study aims to provide insights for better medical and psychosocial care for disaster survivors.
Key quote:
“The observed kidney function issues and respiratory symptoms are very concerning … These health problems are likely related to environmental exposure.”
— Dr. Ruben Juarez, co-researcher and professor of economics at the UH Economic Research Organization
Why this matters:
This study underscores the need for comprehensive healthcare and support for disaster survivors, particularly in addressing mental health and chronic conditions. The findings also emphasize the importance of environmental health in disaster response and recovery efforts.
Wildfire smoke causes more than 33,000 deaths a year across 43 countries, according to a new global study.
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Photo by Kahari king on Unsplash
In Detroit, a ‘magic wand’ makes dirty air look clean – and lets polluters off the hook
Across the US, local governments, lobbyists and industry have spent millions to get wildfire pollution excluded from the record. People like Robert Shobe pay the price.
Image by Sharon Kehl Califano from Pixabay
Here’s what the Great Salt Lake’s dust is doing to our bodies
Dust pollution is the first problem to emerge from a desiccated terminal lake, said Kevin Perry, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Utah, and will be the last to be solved.
Newsletter
Lung conditions will be made worse by climate change, say researchers
Respiratory experts are calling on governments to reduce emissions and improve air quality, reports Danny Halpin in the Independent.
In a nutshell:
Respiratory experts have issued a stark warning about the profound threat that climate change and air pollution pose to individuals with lung conditions. They emphasize the urgent need for action to combat climate change and reduce air pollution. The impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, altered weather patterns, increased allergens, wildfires, and air pollution from fossil fuels, worsen respiratory conditions and can even lead to new ones. Air pollution, linked to both greenhouse gases and health risks, was responsible for 6.7 million global deaths in 2019, with 373,000 occurring in Europe. These experts call for the European Union to align its air quality standards with those of the World Health Organization, advocating for stricter limits on fine particles and nitrogen dioxide. They underscore that addressing climate change and reducing emissions would yield substantial and immediate health benefits, particularly benefiting respiratory patients who are among the most vulnerable.
Key quote:
Professor Zorana Jovanovic Andersen of the University of Copenhagen and an author of the report said: “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. Their symptoms will become worse, and for some this will be fatal.”
The big picture:
The burning of fossil fuels, a significant source of air pollution, carries potential health consequences worth examining. Exposure to air pollution stemming from fossil fuel combustion can result in various adverse health effects. Long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with chronic diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heightened risks of heart ailments, including heart attacks and strokes. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their developing lungs, potentially setting the stage for lifelong health challenges.
Read the article at the Independent.
Meanwhile, as the nation’s oil and gas output reaches record highs, new research shows that the harms from this boom go well beyond cranking up global temperatures.
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Image by Максим Оболонский from Pixabay
Wildfire smoke could increase your pneumonia risk, experts say. Here's what you need to know to stay healthy
Pneumonia is a persistent threat, killing around 2.5 million people each year worldwide, and sickening countless others. Can wildfire smoke increase one’s chances of contracting it?
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