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Health effects, plant damage and climate – air pollution affects more than was previously recognised
Sustainable environment
Sustainable society Sustainable society Sustainable transition Sustainable transition
Air pollution affects both our health and the environment. It makes people ill and contributes to plant damage, acidification and climate change. The results from five Swedish research programmes show that air pollution has a greater impact than was previously known.
“In many ways, Swedish research has increased knowledge about air pollution and how it affects people and the environment. This new knowledge has also opened our eyes to the complexity of the atmospheric environment and how closely it is linked with other environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity, food production and public health,” said Stefan Åström, researcher at IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute.
The reports have been produced by researchers at SMHI, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm University, the University of Gothenburg, Umeå University and IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, among others. The research has primarily been funded by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the Mistra Research Foundation.
The Swedish studies show that exposure to particulate matter in diesel exhaust fumes has a direct impact on the cardiovascular system. They also demonstrate a link between exposure to air pollution and cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems, effects on the foetus and links to dementia and childhood allergies.
Despite the fact that Sweden has among the lowest levels of air pollution in Europe, it is estimated that more than 7,000 people will die prematurely each year due to exposure to particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide in particular.
“The research programmes have led to better knowledge about exposure and the extent of the impact of various sources and pollutants. As a result, it is now possible to make better assessments of the effectiveness of various air pollution measures,” says Camilla Andersson at SMHI.
Air pollution also affects our ecosystems and our economy. The research shows that nitrogen deposition affects biodiversity and leads to reduced incidence of certain, often red-listed plants. In addition, the deposition interacts with the way we use the land, primarily how we utilise our forests. The negative impact on people and the environment comes with huge costs to society, often many times greater than what it would cost to cut the emissions.
CLOSE LINKS WITH CLIMATE CHANGE There is also a close relationship between the climate and air pollution. For example, it has been observed that soot particles are accelerating the rise in temperature in the Arctic. Reduced emissions of soot, including from wood burning and dieselpowered engines, would therefore have immediate positive effects on the climate.
“An important aspect of the Swedish research programmes has involved increasing collaboration between researchers and decision-makers. This has contributed to a more effective air pollution policy, both in Sweden and internationally. The knowledge has been used by authorities both for work relating to environmental goals as well as for Sweden’s activities within the EU and the UN Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution,” said Anna Engleryd from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, who is Chair of the Convention.
FIVE RESEARCH PROGRAMMES Swedish authorities, above all the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the Mistra Research Foundation, have supported five research programmes since the late 1990s with the aim of increasing knowledge about air pollution and contributing to national and international air pollution activities. The research programmes are Swedish National Air Pollution and Health Program (SNAP), International and National Abatement Strategies for Transboundary Air Pollution Program (ASTA), Swedish Clean Air Research Program (SCARP), Climate Change and Environmental Objectives Program (CLEO) and Swedish Clean Air and Climate Research Program (SCAC).
The results and conclusions from the research programmes are summarised in the report: Achievements and experiences from science – policy interaction in the field of air pollution Name: Stefan Åström
Age: 44 Function at IVL: Researcher Background: Environmental economist from the University of Gothenburg and P.hD. in Energy and the Environment from Chalmers University of Technology.
From acidification to health effects – multiple advances in the research for cleaner air
The Swedish research programmes have, in many ways, increased knowledge about air pollution and how it affects people and the environment. Various significant results and conclusions from the research are set out below.
Even low levels of nitrogen harm ecosystems
The risk of ozone damage is greater in northern Europe
Air pollution and climate change interact
Exposure and impact from various sources
Swedish studies show that exposure to particulate matter in diesel exhaust fumes has a direct impact on the cardiovascular system. They also demonstrate a link between air pollution and cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems, effects on the foetus and links to dementia and childhood allergies.
Nitrogen deposition affects biodiversity and leads to reduced incidence of certain, often red-listed plants. Even relatively low levels of nitrogen have an adverse impact on ecosystems. In addition, the deposition interacts with the way we use the land, primarily how we utilise our forests.
Swedish research has been a significant driving force behind the development of a new index for the exposure of vegetation to ozone. The index shows that the risk of ozone damage, relative to the ozone levels in the air, is greater in northern Europe compared to other parts of the continent, due to the humid conditions that promote ozone absorption.
There is a close relationship between air pollution and climate change. For example, soot particles are accelerating the rise in temperature in the Arctic. Reduced emissions of soot, including from wood burning and diesel-powered engines, would therefore have immediate positive effects on the climate. The researchers estimate that initiatives to reduce soot emissions could slow Arctic warming by 0.2°C by 2050.
Research and better measurements have increased understanding about the sources of air pollution, as well as its spread and transformation processes in the atmosphere, resulting in model calculations being able to be performed at a higher resolution in time and space. The exposure of the population to particles can now be calculated according to contributions from the local environment and other sources respectively, and the health risks can be further described in relation to emissions. As a result, it is now possible to make better assessments of the effectiveness of various air pollution measures.
2 Zero hunger 3.9 Reducing instances of illness and death caused by harmful chemicals and pollutants 6 Clean water and sanitation 7.2 Increasing the share of renewable energy 7.3 Doubling the improvement in energy efficiency 7.A Ensuring access to research and technology and investing in clean energy 7.B Expanding and improving energy infrastructure in developing countries 8 Decent working conditions and economic growth 9 Sustainable industry, innovation and infrastructure 11.6 Reducing the environmental impact of cities 12 Responsible consumption and production 13 Climate action 15 Life on land
