Wildfires, extreme heat causing health harms
An uptick in extreme heat and wildfires around the world, driven by climate change, is leading to more illness and more deaths, according to experts.
Long-term exposure to permissible concentrations of air pollution linked with increased mortality risk
Exposure to low concentrations of air pollution, even at levels permitted under federal regulations, may be causing tens of thousands of early deaths each year among elderly people and other vulnerable groups in the U.S., according to a…
Wildfire smoke may have contributed to thousands of extra COVID-19 cases and deaths in western U.S. in 2020
Thousands of COVID-19 cases and deaths in California, Oregon, and Washington between March and December 2020 may be attributable to increases in fine particulate air pollution from wildfire smoke.
Wildfire smoke in New England underscores climate change-related health risks
After smoke from wildfires in the western U.S. cast a dangerous haze over New England on July 26 and 27, experts spoke out about the growing health risks spurred by climate change, which has led to more frequent…
Air pollution’s deadly toll
Hundreds of thousands of lives could be saved by improving the quality of air that Americans breathe, according to Harvard Chan School's Mahdieh Danesh Yazdi.
Increasing the use of electric cars could improve health outcomes
Replacing gas-powered vehicles with electric vehicles in cities could significantly reduce air pollution–related death and illness, according to Harvard Chan School's John Spengler.
Stronger air pollution standards in U.S. would have significant public health benefits
May 26, 2021 –Reducing certain air pollutants in the U.S. by small amounts would prevent thousands of early deaths each year among elders, according to new research led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The study,…
Silica dust could harm health of Mass. commuter rail workers
Sand used on train tracks to improve traction could pose a health threat for Massachusetts commuter rail employees working in train cabs, according to a recent news report. A February 6, 2020 WCVB Channel 5 article described how…