403
Sorry!!
Error! We're sorry, but the page you were looking for doesn't exist.
WMO Warns Wildfire Smoke, Heat Waves Threaten Global Air Quality Gains
(MENAFN) Surging pollution from wildfires and heat waves threatens to erode decades of progress on global air quality, endangering both human and ecosystem health, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned Monday.
In its annual Air Quality and Climate Bulletin, the UN agency emphasized the tight connection between climate change and air pollution, urging governments to pursue coordinated policies that tackle both crises together.
The report found that extreme fire-smoke events have tripled worldwide since the 1990s, citing a study that linked such events to nearly 100,000 additional deaths per year between 2010 and 2018.
The WMO cautioned that standard risk models may significantly understate wildfire-related deaths — by as much as 93% — because they fail to fully capture the elevated toxicity of fire-derived fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5.
"Meeting the World Health Organization air quality guidelines will become progressively more difficult, since extreme fire weather is expected to increase in the future," the bulletin said.
Heat waves are compounding the problem by intensifying ground-level ozone pollution, as rising temperatures, stagnant air masses and intense sunlight combine to accelerate ozone formation.
The WMO said health risks tied to ozone exposure are expected to grow more severe, potentially driving tens of thousands of additional premature deaths.
The bulletin further called for strengthened monitoring of pollutants, including black carbon and atmospheric microplastics.
In its annual Air Quality and Climate Bulletin, the UN agency emphasized the tight connection between climate change and air pollution, urging governments to pursue coordinated policies that tackle both crises together.
The report found that extreme fire-smoke events have tripled worldwide since the 1990s, citing a study that linked such events to nearly 100,000 additional deaths per year between 2010 and 2018.
The WMO cautioned that standard risk models may significantly understate wildfire-related deaths — by as much as 93% — because they fail to fully capture the elevated toxicity of fire-derived fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5.
"Meeting the World Health Organization air quality guidelines will become progressively more difficult, since extreme fire weather is expected to increase in the future," the bulletin said.
Heat waves are compounding the problem by intensifying ground-level ozone pollution, as rising temperatures, stagnant air masses and intense sunlight combine to accelerate ozone formation.
The WMO said health risks tied to ozone exposure are expected to grow more severe, potentially driving tens of thousands of additional premature deaths.
The bulletin further called for strengthened monitoring of pollutants, including black carbon and atmospheric microplastics.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any
responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos,
licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues
related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Comments
No comment