Adverse effects of climate change on air pollution, aeroallergen exposures and asthma symptoms

Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima

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Abstract

SUMMARY Climate change may affect chronic respiratory diseases like COPD and asthma by increasing ground-level particulate matter concentrations and aeroallergen exposures through its effects on ambient temperature and other meteorological conditions. It is unclear, however, the degree to which climate change will affect air quality. Also, the links between aeroallergen exposures, ambient temperature, and respiratory health are not well established. Analyses that account for local meteorological conditions at different altitudes need to be developed. We are working to develop better air pollution models in Peru. The parent grant aims to combine ground-level monitors with satellite remote-sensing data across several settings in Peru; however, we only anticipate installing 24 low-cost monitors in Peru. Here we propose to expand the air pollution monitoring network to six monitors per Department, located at different altitudes and at locations with varying degrees of urbanization. A more comprehensive model that allows for greater detail on geographical conditions that include altitude, ambient temperature, relative humidity and degree of urbanization may be constructed through the installation of additional monitors across the different Departments in Peru. By expanding the air pollution monitoring grid for the Peru GeoHealth Hub with an additional 96 monitors, we seek to answer the following important questions about how climate change may adversely affect air pollution, aeroallergen exposures and asthma and allergy symptoms: Whether fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution is affected by variations in ambient temperature and altitude across different regions of Peru and if airborne allergen exposures are affected by ambient temperatures which in turn affects allergic symptoms in Lima, Peru. We seek to address two important areas of research priority in the connection between climate change and air quality. Research that identifies increasing risks from air pollution and airborne allergen exposures because of warmer temperatures can help to better understand the role of climate change on chronic respiratory conditions including COPD and asthma exacerbations.