Raising Concern for the Impact of Climate Change on Pulmonary Health
January 27, 2025
Joining the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health and 85 other organizations, the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) submitted a formal letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposing a new heat injury and prevention standard to better protect workers from heat-related health risks.
The current standards were set more than 50 years ago and, since then, we have seen a drastic change in the climate, including hotter summers and more frequent and severe heat waves. According to an article in the journal CHEST® titled Climate Change for the Pulmonologist, these changes impact several aspects of pulmonary medicine, making it an especially relevant area for the CHEST organization.
The article states that climate change has been associated with increased occurrences of infectious outbreaks, including an epidemic of aspergillosis that occurred among survivors of the 2011 tsunami in Japan, likely because of the proliferation of indoor mold resulting from increased dampness. Increased incidence of Mycobacterium avium complex and various forms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis were also reported. The research also found that in regions surrounding wildfires and desert storms, increased hospitalizations and emergency department visits for pneumonia have been reported.
Written from organizations representing medical, health care, and health professionals who recognize the importance of implementing robust heat protections for workers, the letter urges OSHA to implement evidence-based heat safety standards for workers who are continuously exposed to extreme heat.
Read the full letter.