Environmental Health Sciences Staff

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Leading cardiology societies call for stronger protections against environmental hazards

Four international cardiology societies — the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, the European Society of Cardiology, and the World Heart Federation — issued a joint statement urging for regulatory action to address the role of toxic environmental exposures in cardiovascular disease.

In short:

Growing evidence shows environmental exposures — including air pollution, chemical pollution, plastics, climate change, and artificial noise and light — may be contributing significantly to the rise in cardiovascular disease.
Of these hazards, air pollution poses the greatest risk, likely by causing inflammation in the lungs and throughout the circulatory system.
The multiple hazards associated with climate change like extreme heat and wildfires may also threaten cardiovascular health via dehydration, arrhythmia, and severe coronary events (such as heart attacks).

Key quote:

"A unified voice was needed to state clearly that the science is settled—and that continued inaction reflects political and structural inertia rather than scientific uncertainty.”

- Lead study author Dr. Thomas Münzel, via JAMA Medical News

Why this matters:

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, contributing to roughly 44% of deaths from noncommunicable diseases. When speaking with JAMA Medical News, lead author Dr. Münzel contributed at least 1 in 5 of the 20 million annual global cardiovascular disease deaths to environmental hazards. The authors of this statement call on both policymakers and clinicians to address environmental exposures “with the same seriousness as traditional cardiovascular risks,” fully integrating them into regulations and patient care.

Related EHN coverage:

More resources:

American Heart Association: Environmental exposures and pediatric cardiology

Münzel, T. et al. (2026). Environmental Stressors and Cardiovascular Health: Acting Locally for Global Impact in a Changing World: A Statement of the European Society of Cardiology, the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the World Heart Federation. Circulation

Anderer, S. (2026). Cardiology Societies Urge Action on Environmental Risk Factors. JAMA Medical News

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Credit: Aakash Malik / Unsplash+

Impacts

Increased autism risk linked to exposure to wildfire smoke during pregnancy

In a first-of-its-kind study published in Environmental Science and Technology, researchers found that mothers who were exposed to wildlife smoke during the third trimester of pregnancy were more likely to have children diagnosed with autism by age 5.

In short:

More frequent exposure to wildlife smoke during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of autism in children.
The study analyzed more than 200,000 mother-child pairs in Southern California between 2006 to 2014; nearly 60% of them were exposed to wildfire smoke for more than 5 days during pregnancy.
The authors also found that prenatal exposure to particulate matter air pollution from a variety of sources — not just wildfires — is associated with an increased risk of autism in children.

Key quote:

“As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of wildfires in many parts of the world, understanding their relationship with autism is important to being able to develop preventive policy and interventions that will protect pregnant women and their children.”

- Study co-author Mostafijur Rahman, via Tulane University’s accompanying press release

Why this matters:

As climate change continues to impact global weather patterns, wildfires have become increasingly intense and frequent. Their impact on air pollution is significant - in California, wildfires account for over 70% of the fine particulate matter exposure on days with poor air quality. Environmental hazards that affect the health of pregnant people and their children can have long-term and severe outcomes. The authors of this study underscore the need for policies that protect vulnerable populations from air pollution and reduce the inequality in its health impacts.

Related EHN coverage:

More resources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Wildfire smoke and pregnancy
Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL): Resources on Air Quality

Luglio, David et al. for Environmental Science & Technology. Jan. 20, 2026

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