London scoping - ukcip

Final Report
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the light of the Barrow outbreak, more research is required on the risks arising from possible
spread of infectious agents through use of air conditioning.
Other Health Impacts of Climate Change
Other effects on demand for health services arising from climate change include:
An increase in instances of food poisoning (estimated at 10% increase, or 10,000
more cases, for the UK as a whole) as increased temperatures facilitate bacterial
growth (DoH 2002), though again much depends on behavioural change.
Those in over-crowded accommodation are more vulnerable to the spread of
infectious diseases.
The pattern of demand for health services might change, with somewhat less
demand for treatment of cold-related illness in the winter as temperatures increase,
though with the possibility of a slight increase in summer. Increases in severe
weather events, particularly storms and flooding, will also intensify temporary
demands on resources and require the development of improved emergency
planning scenarios.
Increased blooms of toxin-producing algae in summer bathing water. Such toxins
can be very dangerous if ingested: children or pets are especially vulnerable whilst
playing around affected water ways.
Potential increase in exposure to infectious agents. The DoH review has concluded
that by the 2050s under medium-high climate change, indigenous strains of malaria
will re-establish themselves in the UK, but do not pose a health threat. There could
be outbreaks of the more serious strain Plasmodium vivax, especially in low-lying
salt marshes, and local inhabitants would be advised to avoid mosquito bites. This
could, potentially, affect parts of the Thames Estuary. The more serious strain
Plasmodium falciparum would not become established in the UK, but tourists
abroad could be vulnerable. Other countries are more vulnerable to climate-change
induced changes in mosquito distribution, including parts of southern Europe and
the southern USA.
The risks of tick-borne diseases (Lyme Disease and encephalitis) are unlikely to
increase according to the DoH review (DoH 2002).
The risks of water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid are very unlikely to
increase due to stringent levels of water quality treatment and control (DoH 2002).
Less conducive working conditions due to hot weather and lack of air conditioning
(e.g. in factories, in offices where AC cannot be afforded, etc.) can contribute to
poor health. Even in those buildings with AC, the contrast between a cool interior
and hot outside conditions can put stress upon the body’s physiology and can make
people more susceptible to illness.
6.12.4 Indirect Impacts - Air Pollution
The impacts on exposure to air pollution are complex, as indicated below.