Experts: Global Warming Could Harm Health

Evidence Indicates Climate Change Could Affect Individuals, In Addition To Planet As Whole

(CBS)  The potential dangers for the planet posed by global warming are well known.

But what about possible health effects on individuals? Is there cause for concern?

"A lot of scientists certainly think so," said The Early Show health correspondent Dr. Emily Senay Monday.

The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that the amount of ragweed pollen, the stuff that causes hay fever symptoms, may have doubled over the past 40 or 50 years. Why? Scientists say the same carbon dioxide involved in global warming also started helping plants produce more pollen during their reproduction processes.

A government researcher recently reported that additional carbon dioxide pumped into the atmosphere has also made poison ivy plants larger, and the oil on the leaves that irritates the skin more potent. So, those three-leafed clusters at the edges of forests may itch longer, and contact that might not have triggered a skin reaction decades ago is more likely to now.

"So," Senay observed, "we're starting to see the health effects of global warming."

And carbon dioxide isn't the only air pollutant that might cause trouble.

It's also likely, Senay says, that ozone levels close enough to the ground for us to breathe (as opposed to the type of ozone in the upper-levels of the atmosphere, which protect the Earth) are increasing. According to a report put out by Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health, ozone at or near ground-level can damage lung tissue, reduce lung function, and make the respiratory tract more sensitive to other irritants. They include particulates in the air, which can aggravate conditions such as asthma, and even increase a person's risk of cancer.

And global warming's impact could even extend to water's ability to spread disease.

The Union of Concerned Scientists suggests it does, Senay points out. Changes in drought and flood patterns may increase the presence of waterborne pathogens including parasites, which can cause severe digestive problems if we swallow them. Diseases carried by insects such as mosquitoes may be spread more widely if rainfall patterns that influence their movement and breeding are altered, as some experts predict. There's no proof yet, but the Union of Concerned Scientists says prolonged heat around the Great Lakes region helped trigger outbreaks of St. Louis encephalitis in that Great Lakes area.

Another ill effect of extra heat could come in the form of food-borne illnesses. We know that high temperatures can turn food into a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria. The more warm weather there is, the greater the chance that food will become contaminated and make us sick.

Which brings Senay to the impact of heat itself on us?

She says all the harmful things heat can do to us may only intensify if temperatures rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reminds us that heat-related illnesses are especially troublesome for the very old, the very young, and people who exercise too hard and too long in hot conditions. Researchers at Johns Hopkins predict the greatest increase in heat-related deaths in cities in the Midwest and Northeast, where extreme heat is now relatively sporadic, but could become more consistent and dangerous.

There is, however, a bit of a silver lining connected to added heat. If it means milder winters, the World Health Organization says fewer people may die of winter's cold.

But, on balance, Senay concludes, experts expect climate change will hurt our health more than it will help.

[extremophil]

Only one thing to do.....Go Naked!!

[setumstrt9]

Move to Oklahoma, this is about the coolest summer I can ever remember.

Our weatherman can't tell us what it's going to do next week. How can these experts predict whats going to happen in the next 20 years!!!!

[donteplays]

Extremophil-Only one thing to do.....Go Naked!!

hahah lmao.....for the sake of my vision lets hope not.

[hawksprings]

We just got 4 inches of rain spread over the past few days after a very dry July. Global Warming is Wonderful!! Everything is so green and lush! I love it!

Thank you, Algore!

...

[talkingham]

What the idiots on these forums can't seem to understand is that the rate of increase in CO2 is the greatest that's ever been measured in the fossil record. It means things may change very quickly at some in large global systems not how your "weatherman or woman" predicts rainfall from day to day - by the way, they are usually correct on the temperature and little else.

Already things have warmed up so much in Alaska that huge areas of spruce trees have been lost to tree beetles that couldn't survive there 20 years ago- pristine northern areas are extremely vulnerable to temp change in much the same way that native americans were vulnerable to European diseases. Stay tuned more devastation to come with or without Al Gore. Start thinking for yourselves based on real science not what commentators tell you to get mad about - in this case they want to trash the messenger "Al" and ignore the message. GLOBAL WARMING IS NOT ABOUT PREDICTING YOUR LOCAL WEATHER FORECAST FROM DAY TO DAY PEOPLE!!!!

However, it's been cool in the midwest because large low pressure systems have been parked over Hudson Bay all summer - and it has been rotating cool air from Cananda down into the midwest. A simple look at satellite loops over time shows this and I'm sorry that many local weather personalities who got their credentials by mail don't get this, they are too busy being funny or cute.

[prairiefox1]

EXPERT:
DEFINITION:
"WAS A DRIP UNDER PRESSURE".

[michellem99-2009]

IT IS BAD. I remember the pretty blue sky in the 60s. Now you don't see that today. IT is Not the same blue. Plus back then,they they had fewer cars. Today too many. Years ago the air was better. Not so today. Years ago it SNOWED. I mean snowed as I had to shovel it. A legal blind girl at that. It got below zero. Today the same areas no snow. Figger man done something wrong don't you think. Well children it will get worse.So I have to wear long pants as I can't see the plants that make yer itch. They are not crying wolf. It has changed and will change worse if WE don't care about this planet WE all live on. We all did this,some more than others. I have to fight for air and I don't smoke. YES the heat index is the kicker. It has gotten Hotter in summer/heat waves and they are deadly. Dry heat gone. Use to be dry here. Health issues yep..Poor little ones that will be future adults..Poor everyone..

[Syndicate]

Co2 was greater in the fossil record. It would have been about the time mammals and reptiles split.

I don't by the co2 global warming thing. Why because I can think of a hundred things that would affect global warming yet we don't talk about them. I wonder why? The only thing I can up with is your standard environmental conspiracy theiory. I wonder how much all the paved roads increase global temperatures.

[michellem99-2009]

I walk as I have to or take mass transit. I walk to the store and it is MAD HOUSE to walk.A postee said paved roads..Well dear as I have walked with my friend. We could feel the heat coming from them. Where you think that goes...The poor ground can't cool down. So yes pavement is a major problem as well. Should humans tear it up for the sake of our world..get alot of cars yes. ifoff the roads.. it will help. We need some roads but the TRAIFFC is out control. By that I mean too many cars running the roads. No I don't own a car nor I would not. A dr asked me if I would like to have the sight to drive. I told him you are crazy to his face. I am legally blind and will remain so. I will never have the sight you all take for granted. Never had it in the first place. Walked out of his office tapping away. Never went back. SO if you can't believe the changes you are more blind than I.I never believed it when I heard it in the 70s.Surprise..just as they said and worse..

[harp1963]

If anyone thinks they are going to be able to pry the death grip the oil and coal industries have on America and the rest of the world, they are completely wrong. These idiots are doing all they can to put a car in the hands of every Chinese person in China. You think it's hot now, wait until the Chinese are driving cars at the rate the rest of the industrialized nations are. It makes me think of what Jesus said when the woman came to him while he was carrying the cross and she was weeping. He told her not to cry for him, but for your grandchildren. The world we are leaving our grandchildren because we can't walk away from the money and way of life driving and gasoline have created.

[grammawhamma]

More fodder for the ALgoraphobics to digest!!

[infidel_us]

So called "Experts" Could Harm Health!

[donteplays]

okay on a more serious note from my previous comment...we are killing the world that our children will live in, heck im not even out of high school so we are killing the world millions such as myself will live in. but as i said in an essay i composed for a scholarship man is ultimately going to be responsible for his own downfall. yes i am religious i do believe that no matter how much our technology advances and the knowledge of this world's many wonders increases, the earth is still destined to end...in the immortalized words of Robert Frost," Nothing gold can stay."

[michellem99-2009]

iS IT EASY TO WALK NO BUT I MUST AND CARRY THE THINGS LIKE FOOD AND THE LIKE ON MY BACK AS I TAP HOME. BELIEVE ME YOU WILL IF YOU HAVE TO. I was a pupil and I could never see today and what about the day when you can't stand the changes. Droughts I been in them . They kill you for a bottle of water if they see it. Told you can't do cos you must save on water. I don't mind. That is a fact. I was taught you don't miss it till it is gone. How true. He has asked us to be good caretakers of His world and how the Angels cry. There are burn bans. I try to learn something at my age. I feel for the young. It must be hard for them. Can we save this world as I hope so as it is Home before it is too late. We were brought up to take care of things. The use it once and and toss it must go. There are aew things that must for health reasons. Use cloth bags. I DO MISS THE OLD DAYS IN SOME WAYS. I do like computer as a tool. I read about the climate in the 70s. They were right on. Ever fight for air..copd as my friend has it. ever cough so bad when the gets so bad. I do. The kid in school wrote and my being poorly schooled can't hide the truth of this issue that need dealing with. Now over greed. I worry that china will get bad as we help them. Figger that out.

[luvcomments]

It hasn't got anything to do with what Al Gore does or doesn't say about it. He is simply a person who has directed our attention to the issue....an issue which countless people tried to tell us about but who were not well-known enough to be heard. As always, there are none so blind as those who will not see. That doesn't change the facts one iota. And if we prefer to blithely go on as if nothing is changing, and sneer at those who express concern over what is actually happening, that's fine too - doesn't alter the fact that humankind's ignorance and greed are destroying the environment (including the weather), the species and thereby ourselves. None of it matters, anyhow, as long as we don't care about one another....which results in: Big change coming. Whether you read it from the Old Testament, the New Testament or even if you believe in nothing -that doesn't change what's happening and going to happen. And the beat goes on................

[jimfinster]

Amusing...

I recognize some of the same people disputing this article. They have also disputed the health effects of cigarettes. Guess that is one way to deal with risk - just be in denial on everything.

[grammawhamma]

Amusing...

I recognize some of the same people disputing this article. They have also disputed the health effects of cigarettes. Guess that is one way to deal with risk - just be in denial on everything.


Posted by jimfinster at 06:51 PM : Jul 30, 2007


I think you are talking about me. Yes, I smoke, I never said that smoking was healthy...so I am not in denial. My bad habit will probably kill me in the end. Not one of you health fanatics out there will live forever but you give the impression that you think you will...this to me is a form of denial.

I am all for protecting the environment. I am a nature lover. I live far out in the country with no neighbors in sight. I recycle everything. I refuse to use any herbicides or pesticides etc. I drive an economy car and I would like to put up a wind generator on my property but don't know how to go about it.

The problem I have with the global warming people is that I see most of them as alarmists and fanatics who spread panic and fear among the vulnerable. I don't believe in global warming but I do beleive in protecting our environment.

BTW I don't believe in the war but I do believe in supporting our troops that are there. Please support our troops!!

[michellem99-2009]

I am not going to live as long as most may. But he already made us live in fear and man you put in there. I won't deny there are things bad. Gramma would there be help on the web to help you set one up, or info about it for where you are. I loved the Maine living in the sticks..

[luvcomments]

grammawhamma

here's how to install one....I hope.

www.homepower.com/writing

www.homepower.com/magazine/authorguidelines.cfm

[gabbysmomrs]

Global Warming is a fact, it's hard to imagine anyone not realizing that, the evidence is everywhere. Alaska, Pacific Islands, the Gulf of Mexico, Europe. Heat waves, wildfires, floods, etc.

It has been brutally hot where I am and I can't help but think of the Twilight Zone show where heat was killing everything and everyone. Whether it is man-made or not, We have to do what we can to stop contributing to the warming and least prepare for the warming as well as we can. I don't think it we can stop it, but we can, perhaps, help the Earth and life on it.

[gabbysmomrs]

Global Warming is a fact, it's hard to imagine anyone not realizing that, the evidence is everywhere. Alaska, Pacific Islands, the Gulf of Mexico, Europe. Heat waves, wildfires, floods, etc.

It has been brutally hot where I am and I can't help but think of the Twilight Zone show where heat was killing everything and everyone. Whether it is man-made or not, We have to do what we can to stop contributing to the warming and least prepare for the warming as well as we can. I don't think it we can stop it, but we can, perhaps, help the Earth and life on it.

[grammawhamma]

luvcomments: Thank you. I looked at that website and will check it out further. I live on a hill surrounded by farm fields and it is almost always windy here. The problems I predict running into however are: financing, zoning laws, and negative pressure from the local electric company....maybe even from some environmentalists. I still think wind generated energy is a wonderful resource that needs further investigation. Wind is free and it is clean...the only problem I can see with it is that it can be sporatic...but then again so is solar power.

[grammawhamma]

Global Warming is a fact, it's hard to imagine anyone not realizing that, the evidence is everywhere. Alaska, Pacific Islands, the Gulf of Mexico, Europe. Heat waves, wildfires, floods, etc.

posted by gabbysmomrs

Gabbysmom...you are the perfect example of someone freaking out over stuff that has happened in this world since the world began. Relax...it is the earth's normal cycle. (This is what I meant about the global warming alarmists setting fear in the hearts of the vulnerable.) Just do your part to treat our earth kindly. Don't freak out!!

[erasmus6]

harp1963

I think that every person in China already has a car! There isn't room for any more.

Years ago Shirley Maclaine wrote a book about her travels to China and she said that there was so many cars, that if you were wanting in, you had to just close your eyes and BOOT it and hope someone let you in.

[erasmus6]

"The problem I have with the global warming people is that I see most of them as alarmists and fanatics who spread panic and fear among the vulnerable." posted by GrammaWhamma

No one wants people to panic but some genuine fear might motivate people into doing what they should have been doing in the first place.
People SHOULD be alarmed with what is going on right now. We have been polluting our air and water for years and years and now we are paying for it. Sure, there are some like you who do their part, but most don't. We now have a serious problem and unless everybody does their part, it isn't going to be enough.

Anyone that doesn't feel some fear about what IS happening and what IS going to happen to this planet if we don't start making some SERIOUS changes is "BRAIN DEAD".

[michellem99-2009]

GrammaWhamma, I hope you can put that up. Zoning laws...seem to me they be happy you took that step..Their problem is..who knows what..You are so lucky to live in the sticks...Why not use that wind. Solar power I know very little about. them There has to be a storage system for both when it is sporratic so there is power 24/4. There are places that use windmill to make power. They sell it as well so I heard.. I really don't know. I live in the city. Don't care for it. Lucky lady nobody to get on yer arse..almost nobody..

[michellem99-2009]

Sorry dear, should be 24/7. I try to proof read 'fore hitting the button. Have to use a magnifier. Am human. Hate my blindness as I miss out on so mush the seeing take for granted. Plus Gramma they would have sites where you are can find out you can do this first. Nanny govt. for ya.
I don't have a problem recyling but it is not blind friendly. I try. Can't waste water as have to pay for usage. They got you coming and going, don't they.