Climate change affects the quality of the air we breathe in many ways. Increased air pollution due to more wildfires and ozone threatens our health.
Increasing Wildfires
The University of Washington Climate Impacts Group's Washington Climate Change Impacts Assessment reports that the area burned by fire regionally is projected to double by the 2040s and triple by the 2080s (as compared to 1916-2006), due to increased summer temperature and decreased summer precipitation that are expected with climate change.
Increased wildfire in the region will lead to more wildfire smoke. Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gases and fine particles that can be inhaled deep into your lungs. The smallest particles can cross into the bloodstream and can impact many of our bodies’ organ systems. Inhaling wildfire smoke makes it harder to breathe and may worsen other chronic health conditions, such as asthma or heart disease.
Increasing Ground-Level Ozone
Climate change is also increasing the number of warm days in the summer in Washington. Warm summer days are more likely to also have high ozone levels, as ozone forms in the presence of sunlight and heat, when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are present. NOx and VOCs come largely from industry, cars, trucks, and equipment. When people breathe ozone, it can cause lung irritation, chest pain, coughing and congestion, as well as breathing difficulties during outdoor exercise or activities.
Ozone worsens lung diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Long-term exposure to ozone can damage the lungs.
Learn more about other ways climate change affects our health.