Heat and Air Pollution Combine in Deadly Public Health Threat

A massive heat dome affecting over 90 million Americans is amplifying air pollution, posing a “double whammy” health threat. Scientists warn that extreme heat can trap polluted air, preventing its dispersion, and climate change-driven wildfires worsen the situation by releasing dangerous particulate matter. Ground-level ozone and PM2.5 levels rise during such events, triggering respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological health issues. Vulnerable populations like children, seniors, and people with chronic diseases face elevated risks. Meanwhile, regulatory rollbacks under President Trump—such as weakened emission limits and defunded health studies—may worsen pollution. Experts call for urgent action as air quality deteriorates in major cities. Wildfire smoke, fossil fuel emissions, and lax environmental oversight could reverse decades of progress in U.S. air quality. The EPA, under Trump, is also scaling back clean energy initiatives, promoting fossil fuel use that exacerbates both climate change and air pollution.

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Source: NYTimes