Impact of Climate Change on Arab Countries - (IPCC) - Working ...

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CHAPTER 7
HUMAN HEALTH
studies which linked climate change to a wider
spread <strong>of</strong> allergenic manifestations and the
increase <strong>of</strong> reported asthma cases in affected areas
(IPCC, 2007). Increases in CO 2 concentrations
and in temperatures were associated with an
increase in ragweed pollen production and the
prolongation <strong>of</strong> the ragweed pollen season. Dust
from Africa has been transported across the
Atlantic as far as the Caribbean, where a dramatic
increase in asthma cases has been reported as a
result (Shinn and Griffin, 2003). It was reported
that numerous species <strong>of</strong> bacteria and fungi
well known to cause allergic reactions, pulmonary
infections, or skin infections have survived
the transatlantic transport (Shinn and
Griffin, 2003).
bases. For instance, Lebanon still lacks air quality
monitoring programs which hampers any
attempt to look at trends in air pollution or to
critically examine its causes. In addition, environmental
and public health problems are the outcome
<strong>of</strong> the failure <strong>of</strong> a complex web <strong>of</strong> political,
policy, social, economic, and physical (environmental)
determinants. In spite <strong>of</strong> this, it is crucial
to document what we know and anticipate the
potential added effect <strong>of</strong> climate change.
This section will review the impact <strong>of</strong> air quality
and infectious diseases on health and the potential
contribution <strong>of</strong> climate change to both issues.
Air quality
Air quality, measured using multiple indicators,
is primarily determined by the contribution <strong>of</strong>
different mobile (transportation) and fixed (generators,
industry) sources <strong>of</strong> pollutants. This is
further affected by the weather elements including
temperature, humidity, and wind. Hence, it
is obvious that climate change will have a direct
impact on air quality and consequently on the
health <strong>of</strong> exposed populations. This sub-section
will focus on three indicators <strong>of</strong> air quality:
aeroallergens, ground level ozone, and suspended
particulate matter.
i) Aeroallergens
Weather determines the direction and magnitude
<strong>of</strong> winds and consequently the presence, transport,
and dispersion <strong>of</strong> dust aeroallergens. This
has been documented around the world in many
The above findings have serious implications for
almost all Arab countries which are in geographic
proximity to deserts or are known for their large
deserts such as in North Africa and the Gulf
region. Changing wind patterns, under certain
atmospheric conditions, can contribute to the
long-range transport <strong>of</strong> desert dust and mould
spores. This can occur over time-scales typically
<strong>of</strong> 4-6 days, which can lead to adverse health
impacts. Interestingly despite the dearth <strong>of</strong> studies
in this field, four out <strong>of</strong> five identified studies
were conducted in Arab countries with deserts and
frequent sand storms. Al-Frayh et al. (1988) analyzed
house dust samples in Riyadh and reported
the presence <strong>of</strong> different types <strong>of</strong> fungal spores,
among which many species are known to be allergenic.
Hasnain et al. (1989) identified 32 generic
categories <strong>of</strong> allergenic fungal spores in the atmosphere
<strong>of</strong> Riyadh. Of these, Cladosporium was
found to be highest in concentration. The concentrations
<strong>of</strong> these spores are also seasonal with an
increase in warmer months and a decline in winter.
Some indoor air pollutants identified in this
study were also linked to asthma. Later, Kwaasi
(1998) found that sandstorm dust is a ‘prolific
source <strong>of</strong> potential triggers <strong>of</strong> allergic and nonallergic
respiratory ailments’ in Riyadh. Griffin
(2007) reported an increase <strong>of</strong> 100% in the number
<strong>of</strong> colony-forming units (CFU) over background
levels during dust storms in Saudi Arabia.
Dust storms and humidity were among several
environmental risk factors associated with the
prevalence <strong>of</strong> asthma in a cross-sectional study <strong>of</strong>
850 schoolchildren in the United Arab Emirates
(Bener et al., 1996). A similar kind <strong>of</strong> study was
conducted in Beirut by Al-Ajam et al. (2005) who