Heat waves increase death risk. Air pollution increase death risk. Together, more than doubled the trouble.

Researchers from the University of Southern California published their study in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, elucidating the risks of the deadly combination.

For their study, the researchers studied all deaths in California between 2014 to 2019 of over 1.5 million via death certificates from California’s Department of Public Health in conjunction with data on air temperature and levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) where they were able to link deaths with local environmental conditions based on home addresses of the deceased. Each day was categorized into one of four categories: no extreme exposure, extreme heat only, extreme air pollution only, and extreme heat and air pollution.

Compared to days without extreme conditions, days of extreme heat-only increased risk of death by 6.1% and days of extreme air pollution-only by 5%. However, on days of extreme heat and air pollution skyrocketed risk of death by 21%; furthermore, increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular problems increased by 29.9% and respiratory problems by 38%. Older adults underwent significantly higher risk with 36.2% increase in mortality risk for those over 75 years old.

Denying climate change and not addressing the issue will only find more days of air pollution and extreme heat, increasing risks of death for many.

Remember, politicians who are against regulating pollution and address climate change, do not have your best interest in mind. And an important way to take care of your health is to also not unnecessarily and selfishly contribute to climate change yourself.

Md Mostafijur Rahman et al. The effects of coexposure to extremes of heat and particulate air pollution on morality in California. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202204-0657OC