Location
Parker-Reed, SSWAC
Start Date
1-5-2014 10:00 AM
End Date
1-5-2014 11:00 AM
Project Type
Poster
Description
As greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, causing global climate change and severe weather patterns, research is being conducted to determine possible effects on human health. Climate change effects the concentration of pollutants in the air including ambient pollen and other allergens with the potential to trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory distresses. This issue is affecting humans on a global scale and the resulting damages to human health are expected to rise in the coming decades and continue well into the future. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making efforts to reduce respiratory health impacts, and reduce a major source of the climate change problem: carbon dioxide, through the Clean Air Act. Although regulated outdoor air pollution levels help to decrease the respiratory disease burden, multiple studies show a need for lower, safer levels. Safer pollutant levels would not only improve health, but prevent economic stress from increased medical expenses. This study explores the relationship between global climate change and the effects on respiratory diseases in humans, as well as the possible implications for the future. Additionally the research looks at current methods of combating this issue to protect human health in a changing climate.
Faculty Sponsor
Gail Carlson
Sponsoring Department
Colby College. Environmental Studies Program
CLAS Field of Study
Interdisciplinary Studies
Event Website
http://www.colby.edu/clas
ID
842
Included in
The Effect of Climate Change on Respiratory Diseases
Parker-Reed, SSWAC
As greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, causing global climate change and severe weather patterns, research is being conducted to determine possible effects on human health. Climate change effects the concentration of pollutants in the air including ambient pollen and other allergens with the potential to trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory distresses. This issue is affecting humans on a global scale and the resulting damages to human health are expected to rise in the coming decades and continue well into the future. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making efforts to reduce respiratory health impacts, and reduce a major source of the climate change problem: carbon dioxide, through the Clean Air Act. Although regulated outdoor air pollution levels help to decrease the respiratory disease burden, multiple studies show a need for lower, safer levels. Safer pollutant levels would not only improve health, but prevent economic stress from increased medical expenses. This study explores the relationship between global climate change and the effects on respiratory diseases in humans, as well as the possible implications for the future. Additionally the research looks at current methods of combating this issue to protect human health in a changing climate.
https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/clas/2014/program/378