Skip Navigation

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal Mortality related to air pollution with the Moscow heat wave and wildfire of 2010

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal

Shaposhnikov D, Revich B, Bellander T, Bedada GB, Bottai M, Kharkova T, Kvasha E, Lezina E, Lind T, Semutnikova E, Pershagen G
2014
Epidemiology. 25 (3): 359-364

Background: Prolonged high temperatures and air pollution from wildfires often occur together, and the two may interact in their effects on mortality. However, there are few data on such possible interactions. Methods: We analyzed day-to-day variations in the number of deaths in Moscow, Russia, in relation to air pollution levels and temperature during the disastrous heat wave and wildfire of 2010. Corresponding data for the period 2006-2009 were used for comparison. Daily average levels of PM10 and ozone were obtained from several continuous measurement stations. The daily number of nonaccidental deaths from specific causes was extracted from official records. Analyses of interactions considered the main effect of temperature as well as the added effect of prolonged high temperatures and the interaction with PM10. Results: The major heat wave lasted for 44 days, with 24-hour average temperatures ranging from 24°C to 31°C and PM10 levels exceeding 300 μg/m on several days. There were close to 11,000 excess deaths from nonaccidental causes during this period, mainly among those older than 65 years. Increased risks also occurred in younger age groups. The most pronounced effects were for deaths from cardiovascular, respiratory, genitourinary, and nervous system diseases. Continuously increasing risks following prolonged high temperatures were apparent during the first 2 weeks of the heat wave. Interactions between high temperatures and air pollution from wildfires in excess of an additive effect contributed to more than 2000 deaths. ConclusionS: Interactions between high temperatures and wildfire air pollution should be considered in risk assessments regarding health consequences of climate change.

Expand Abstract

Resource Description

    Air Pollution, Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Meteorological Factor, Temperature
    • Air Pollution, Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Meteorological Factor, Temperature: Ground-Level Ozone, Interaction with Temperature, Particulate Matter
    • Air Pollution, Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Meteorological Factor, Temperature: Wildfire
    • Air Pollution, Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Meteorological Factor, Temperature: Heat
    Urban
    Non-United States
    • Non-United States: Europe
    Cardiovascular Impact, Injury, Mental Health and Well-Being, Morbidity/Mortality, Respiratory Impact, Urologic Impact, Other Health Impact, Specify
    • Cardiovascular Impact, Injury, Mental Health and Well-Being, Morbidity/Mortality, Respiratory Impact, Urologic Impact, Other Health Impact, Specify: Heart Attack/Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, Other Cardiovascular Impact, Specify
      • Heart Attack/Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, Other Cardiovascular Impact, Specify: cardiovascular disease mortality
      Cardiovascular Disease (other)
    • Cardiovascular Impact, Injury, Mental Health and Well-Being, Morbidity/Mortality, Respiratory Impact, Urologic Impact, Other Health Impact, Specify: Other Mental Disorder, Specify
    • Cardiovascular Impact, Injury, Mental Health and Well-Being, Morbidity/Mortality, Respiratory Impact, Urologic Impact, Other Health Impact, Specify: Other Respiratory Impact, Specify
      • Other Respiratory Impact, Specify: respiratory disease mortality
      Respiratory Condition (other)
    • Cardiovascular Impact, Injury, Mental Health and Well-Being, Morbidity/Mortality, Respiratory Impact, Urologic Impact, Other Health Impact, Specify: digestive disease mortality
    Research Article
    Vulnerable Population
Back
to Top