A padi farmer Lau Chin Sun,70 clearing dry padi from his padi fields during hot spell in Permatang Pauh. ( February 22, 2023 ) — LIM BENG TATT/The Star.
The world is in the throes of significant climate change.
This, together with natural and human-made health incidents, have impacted, and will continue to impact on, human health and disease in many ways.
Climate change is affecting the air we breathe, the water and food we consume, the workplace, and the places that provide us shelter.
New threats to human health have emerged, and will continue to emerge, while some existing ones will increase.
However, the population and individual risks are not uniform.
Factors like age, gender, location, occupation, economics and social factors impact on these risks.
There have been disruptions of various environmental, physical, biological and ecological systems globally.
The source(s) of these disruptions may be local or from elsewhere.
For example, while the source(s) of some forms of pollution may be local, changing weather patterns locally may be due to sources thousands of miles away.
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) COP24 Special Report described climate change as “the greatest health challenge of the 21st century, with major threats to life, health and well-being”.
Climate change causes increased respiratory (lung) and cardiovascular (heart) disease; changes in the prevalence and spread of water-, food- and vector-borne diseases and other infectious diseases; illness and death from weather events; and threats to mental health.
Much of the scientific literature has focused on the health effects of climate change on the general population.
However, there is also data on the effects of climate change on workers and workplaces, some of which are discussed below.
Heat is an occupational safety and health hazard.
Increased ambient temperature can lead to discomfort, dehydration and heat-related illnesses like heat stroke, exhaustion, syncope, cramps, or even death.
The risk may be exacerbated by poor physical fitness, increasing age, dehydration, overweight/obesity, underlying health condition(s) and certain medicines.
Extreme temperatures can also worsen existing chronic conditions like respiratory, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.
Excess heat can increase workplace injuries like those due to sweaty palms, dizziness and reduced brain function.
It can also reduce productivity in occupations exposed to heat and may result in increased accidents, e.g. reduced cognition and decreased reaction times in drivers affect work safety.
Body temperature changes can affect the metabolism and excretion of toxic substances, e.g. pesticides in agriculture workers and chemicals in firefighters and workers in certain manufacturing industries.
Excess heat can lead to decreased use of personal protective equipment, thereby increasing exposure to toxic substances and infectious diseases.
High ambient temperatures increase fire risks because of self-heating of materials, magnifying-glass effects, electrical overheating or pressure increases.
Increased industrial accidents also impact on workers’ safety and health.
The relationship between climate change and air pollution is complex.
Some air pollutants increase global warming, and global warming leads to the formation of some pollutants.
Climate change influences outdoor air pollutant levels and increased carbon dioxide levels promote the release of aeroallergens, which can also affect indoor air quality.
Some common allergic diseases are climate-sensitive because warmer conditions favour airborne allergens, e.g. fungal spores and pollen.
Outdoor workers in hot environments are more affected by air pollution.
However, indoor workers are also not spared because of the effects of outdoor air pollution on indoor air quality, and exposure to outdoor pollutants while travelling to and from work.
Increased ultra-violet (UV) radiation increases the risk of eye damage and skin cancer.
It can affect anyone, especially outdoor workers like construction and agriculture workers, and fishermen.
Extreme weather events and natural disasters increase the risks of outdoor workers and emergency responders.
Extreme weather events and natural disasters increase the risks of outdoor workers and emergency responders.
This could result in injuries, accidents, mental health issues and drowning.
Water- and vector-borne diseasesClimate changes like higher temperature and humidity, influence the spread of vector- and water-borne diseases through their effects on the range and growth cycles of the vector, pathogen development within the vector, and the introduction of new diseases.
Examples of vector-borne diseases are malaria, dengue and Chikungunya, while leptospirosis is an example of a water-borne disease.
The emergence of new infectious diseases and resurgence of previously-controlled infectious diseases is a phenomenon that has been occurring regularly since the beginning of this century.
Outdoor workers are more prone to these diseases, but indoor workers are not spared either.
The goal of some new technologies (“green” industries) is more sustainable growth.
However, this may lead to exposure to traditional hazards, or combinations of traditional hazards, in new occupations and/or industries.
This may include slips, trips and falls; musculoskeletal disorders; chemical exposures; or the emergence of previously unidentified hazard(s).
Every human can encounter multiple health effects of climate change concomitantly, at different stages of their lives and over the course of a lifetime.
Everyone should be cognisant of their individual vulnerability to the effects of climate change, which is dependent on three primary factors:
- ExposureThis depends on the location and duration of exposure, and what individuals do, e.g. outdoor workers are more exposed to high ambient temperatures.
- Sensitivity Factors like age, gender and health conditions impact on sensitivity to climate change, e.g. asthmatics are more sensitive to air pollutants and smoke.
- Adaptation Everyone’s adjustments and response to climate change vary.
The factors influencing it are an individual’s age, gender, work and living situations; access to healthcare; as well as other factors.
It is advisable for everyone to make an assessment of their exposure to the health effects of climate change, particularly at the workplace, and even at home.
Information and advice can be sought from healthcare professionals.
Dr Milton Lum is a past president of the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations and the Malaysian Medical Association. For more information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The views expressed do not represent that of organisations that the writer is associated with. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
