Climate Change
^Children's Health
&EPA
-------
w
t
arenas Health
and the Environment
Children are different from adults in how they
interact with their environment and how their
health may be affected by these interactions.1'2'3'4
* Children breathe, eat, and drink more for
their size compared to adults. Children's body
systems are still developing.
* Children spend more time outdoors than
adults, play low to the ground, and put
objects in their mouths, all of which may
increase their exposure to harmful chemicals
and pollutants.
-------
Does Climate Change
Affect Children's Health?
Many common daily activities, such as driving automobiles, heating
and cooling buildings, and using electricity require the burning of fossil
fuels. These activities have increased levels of greenhouse gases, such as
carbon dioxide (CC^), in the atmosphere.5'6 Currently, global atmospheric
concentrations of CC>2 are 30 percent above pre-industrial levels. Burning
fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas account for approximately 80 percent
of U.S. CC>2 emissions.6'7
The increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is changing the planet's climate.
Greenhouse gases trap heat, and recent rates of warming are unprecedented. The
changes in temperature, precipitation, sea level, and weather patterns the Earth is
now experiencing could have unique effects on the health of children.8-9 The good
news is that all of us can take steps to both reduce the human contribution to climate
change and protect children's health.
Declining Air Quality
Research conducted by both the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency projects declining air quality in cities.10-11 In
2007, approximately 64 percent of children in the United States lived in counties in
which the 8-hour ozone standard was exceeded on at least one day per year.12 Rising
temperatures may decrease air quality by increasing the formation of ground-level
ozone, which is the main ingredient in urban smog. Ozone exposure may lead to a
number of adverse health effects in children, such as shortness of breath, chest pain
when inhaling deeply, wheezing and coughing, temporary decreases in lung function,
and lower respiratory tract infections.13-14
In North America, wildfires are increasing in frequency and are likely to intensify in
a warmer future. Forest fires emit fine particulate matter, which can contribute to
respiratory illness, particularly in children.11-15 Particulate matter (PM) is a generic term
for a complex mixture of extremely small solid and liquid particles. Particles can originate
from a variety of man-made or natural sources, and size directly determines a particle's
potential for causing health problems. The smaller particles, those 10 micrometers and
smaller (PM10 and PM2.5) can enter the respiratory system, and can penetrate deep
into the lungs with possible serious health effects.16
In 2007, sixteen percent of children lived in counties that exceeded the annual fine
particulate matter (PM2.5) standard.12 Childhood exposure to particulate matter has
been associated with respiratory symptoms, decreased lung function, worsening of
asthma, and development of chronic bronchitis.14-16-17
-------
Exposure to higher levels of ambient particulate matter and ozone may also result in
increased school absences, emergency room visits, and hospital admissions of children
for respiratory and asthma-related illnesses.
Extreme Weather
Climate change may alter the frequency, timing, intensity, and duration of weather
events. Extreme weather includes heat waves, tropical storms and hurricanes, floods,
and droughts.9-11
Children are more vulnerable than adults in disaster situations because they rely on others
to care for them. They need specialized medical care during and after disasters because of
their size and their differences in bodily systems and psychology9
Water- and Food-borne Illness
Climate change may affect the growth and survival of disease-causing organisms
related to water- and food-borne illness. The incidence of water- and food-borne
illnesses, such as gastroenteritis and infectious diarrhea, is known to increase when
outdoor temperature increases, or immediately following storms or floods.8 Extreme
weather can result in the breakdown of sanitation and sewer systems, a loss of
power for refrigeration, or inadequate means to thoroughly cook food, increasing
the likelihood of water- and food-borne illness.9-11 Children are especially susceptible
to water- and food-borne illness due to their developing immune systems.8-9 In fact,
infectious diarrhea is responsible for approximately 1.5 million child deaths per year
globally, disproportionately affecting children of developing nations.18
Vector-borne Diseases
Climate change may also affect vector-borne diseases, which are diseases transmitted
to humans or animals by vectors such as rodents, ticks, and mosquitoes. These
organisms, and the pathogens they carry, are sensitive to temperature, humidity, and
rainfall." Warmer temperatures and an increase in humidity and rainfall could lead to
more vector breeding grounds and larger vector and pathogen populations, resulting
in increased disease transmission.9
One example is Lyme disease. Climate change will increase the geographical distribution
of Lyme disease. Lyme disease is spread by blacklegged tick bites. A survey conducted
from 1992 to 2006 indicates that the incidence of Lyme disease is increasing and rates
are highest among children age 5-14 years. The number of reported cases of Lyme
disease more than doubled during this time period.19 Children are especially vulnerable
to tick bites because they tend to play outside and close to the ground.
Heat
Climate change is projected to cause more, and more extreme, heat waves in the
United States. These heat waves are likely to become more intense, may occur more
often, and may last longer in a warming climate."
-------
Children, especially infants and the very young, are vulnerable to heat-related illnesses
and mortality.9
Heat-related illness is also possible in children who play outside during heat waves,
overexerting themselves and not staying properly hydrated.9 By nature, these children
may not be aware that they need to drink more water as a preventive measure.
Why Our Daily Behavior Matters
Small changes to our daily routine can reduce human contributions to
global climate change.
Many modern day conveniences rely on the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and
natural gas. The burning of these fuels allows us to get to work and school, store and
prepare our meals, and light our homes and communities.
Because fossil fuel-based energy sources produce a lot of heat-trapping pollution,
our energy choices are critical to slowing global climate change. Renewable energy
sources, such as solar, wind, and geothermal, emit little or no heat-trapping gases.
The average American household is responsible for 22,000 Ibs of greenhouse gas
emissions each year, twice as much as the average car. Energy-conscious families can
reduce their household greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent.20 Energy efficiency is
about using less energy to achieve the same results.
What You Can Do
Human behavior contributes to climate change,
and human behavior can be
changed to reduce our impact.
Know Your Carbon
Footprint
Your carbon footprint is a measure
of the greenhouse gases that you
produce through activities that
involve burning fossil fuels. Using
less energy and reducing waste
will reduce your carbon footprint.
Calculate the carbon footprint for
your household by visiting:
www.epa.gov/climatechange/
emissions/ind calculator.html
'
-------
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
We produce greenhouse gases as a result of using energy to drive, to light and heat our
homes, and through other activities that support our quality of life like growing food,
taking showers, and throwing away garbage. After estimating your personal or household
carbon footprint, you can take actions to reduce emissions at home, work, school, and in
your community, www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/actionsteps.html
Join EPA's Climate for Action Campaign
www.epa.gov/climateforaction
Become a Climate for Action Partner: Schools, organizations, government agencies,
and businesses can become a Climate for Action Partner by getting the word out
about climate change and children's health, recruiting climate ambassadors, and
promoting and planning events that highlight efforts to address climate change and
children's health, www.epa.gov/climateforaction/lead/partner.htm
Become a Climate Ambassador: Middle and high school students can motivate others
to make a difference in reducing the human impact on climate change. Engage your
peers, school, and community in activities to address climate change and reduce its
effects on children's health! www.epa.gov/climateforaction/lead/become.htm
Learn More About Climate Change
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Climate Change and the Health of Children:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/climate.htm
EPA Climate Change Web Site:
www.epa.gov/climatechange
Learn More About Children's Health
EPA Children's Health Web Site:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/homepage.htm
Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units:
www.pehsu.net
-------
Bearer, C.F. (1995). How are children different from adults? Environmental Health Perspectives,
103 (Suppl6), 7-12.
Bearer, C.F. (2000). The special and unique vulnerability of children to environmental hazards. Neurotoxicology,
21(6),925-934.
Landrigan, P.J. (2004). Children as avulnerable population. International Journal of Occupational Medicine and
Environmental Health, 17(1), 175-177.
American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Environmental Health. (2003). Developmental Toxicity: Special
Considerations Based on Age and Developmental State. In: Etzel RA, ed. Pediatric Environmental Health. 2nd
Edition. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. 9-36.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Proposed Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for
Greenhouse Gases Under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act. Proposed Rule. EPA-HQ-OAR-2009-0171. April 24, 2009.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2007). Climate Change 2007: The Physical Scientific Basis:
Summary for Policymakers. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
Retrieved from: http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg1/ar4-wg1-spm.pdf on April 20, 2009
Energy Information Administration. U.S. Department of Energy. (2008). Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in
the United States, 2007. DOE/EIA-0573(2007). Retrieved from: http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/ggrpt/
pdf/0573(2007).pdf on May 20, 2009
U.S. Climate Change Science Program. (2008). Effects of Global Change on Human Health: Vulnerable Regions
and Subpopulations. In: Analyses of the Effects of Global Change on Human Health and Welfare and Human
Systems, Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.6. Retrieved from: http://downloads.climatescience.gov/sap/
sap4-6/sap4-6-final-report-all.pdf on May 4, 2009
Shea, K.M. and American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Environmental Health. (2007). Global
Climate Change and Children's Health. Pediatrics. 120(5): e1359-e1367. Retrieved from: http://pediatrics.
aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/120/5/e1359 on May 21, 2009
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Assessment of the Impacts of Global Climate Change on U.S. Air
Quality: A Synthesis of Climate Change Impacts on Ground-level Ozone. EPA-600-R-07-094F. Retrieved from:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=203459 on May 7, 2009
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2007). Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and
Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC. Retrieved from:
http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/ar4-wg2.htm on May 4, 2009
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Measure E1: Criteria Air Pollutants: Exceedances of Air Quality
Standards: 2000-2007. Updated Measure In: America's Children and the Environment. 2nd Edition. EPA-
240-R-03-001 Retrieved from: http://www.epa.gov/envirohealth/children/contaminants/
e1-graph.htm on September 10, 2009.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2003). Ozone: Good Up High, Bad Nearby. EPA-451/K-03-001. Retrieved
from: http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/gooduphigh/ozone.pdf on April 9, 2009
American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Environmental Health. (2004). Ambient Air Pollution: Health
Hazards to Children. Pediatrics. 114:1699-1707. Retrieved from: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/
content/full/114/6/1699 on May 21, 2009
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2008). Health Effects of Wood Smoke. Retrieved from: http://www.epa.
gov/woodstoves/healtheffects.html on May 4, 2009
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. National Center for Environmental Assessment-RTP Division (2008).
Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter: First External Review Draft. Retrieved from: http://cfpub.
epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=201805 on January 27, 2009
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2003). Particle Pollution and Your Health. EPA-452-F-03-001. Retrieved
from: http://www.epa.gov/air/particlepollution/pdfs/pm-color.pdf on May 21, 2009
World Health Organization. (2009). Children's Environmental Health Risks: Lack of water and inadequate
sanitation. Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/ceh/risks/cehwater/en/index.html on May 4, 2009.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2008). Surveillance for Lyme Disease-United States 1992-2006.
MMWR. 57(SS10):1-9 Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5710a1.htmon
May 4, 2009.
www.energystar.gov
-------
v>EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA-100-K-09-008
www.epa.gov
December 2009
------- |