Comprehensive analysis of the synergistic effects of air pollution and climate change on pulmonary mortality

Air pollution affects various sectors, but it has a particularly direct impact on human health. This impact can be further exacerbated when accompanied by extreme weather events. This study investigates the combined impact of heatwaves and elevated ambient ozone on pulmonary disease mortality in Seoul, South Korea, using data from 2001 to 2019. Both heatwaves and high ozone levels were independently associated with increased pulmonary deaths, with ozone effects persisting up to two days. Notably, simultaneous exposure to heatwaves and high ozone led to even greater mortality, particularly among the elderly. Stratified analysis by demographic factors revealed heightened vulnerability among specific subgroups. Among individuals aged 41–65, males without a spouse showed elevated risk. In the 66–75 age group, all males and females with lower education were more susceptible. For individuals aged 76 and older, increased mortality risk was evident regardless of sex, marital status, or education, suggesting compounded vulnerability due to aging, reduced self-care capacity, limited social support, and access to information. These findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions to protect high-risk populations from the synergistic effects of climate change and air pollution, providing critical data to inform adaptive policy and health response strategies.