RT Book, Section A1 Balmes, John R. A1 Holm, Stephanie M. A2 LaDou, Joseph A2 Harrison, Robert J. SR Print(0) ID 1180882858 T1 Air Pollution T2 CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment: Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 6e YR 2021 FD 2021 PB McGraw Hill PP New York, NY SN 9781260143430 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1180882858 RD 2024/03/28 AB The dramatic air pollution episodes that occurred in the early part of the twentieth century in Belgium’s Meuse Valley, Donora, Pennsylvania, and London, England, are not likely to occur in high-income countries today. These episodes were caused by the large-scale burning of coal in the presence of “ideal” meteorologic conditions—atmospheric inversion leading to a stagnant air mass. A clearly evident excess mortality was observed during and after these episodes. Current air quality standards in North America generally avoid the development of episodes of this magnitude today. Yet, in some Asian countries, where sulfur-containing fuels are burned without adequate air quality regulations, air pollution levels may be attained similar to those that occurred during the historic episodes listed above. Furthermore, catastrophic wildfires associated with climate change have begun to create pollution crises that could rival those historic events. In addition to air pollution crises, certain outdoor air pollutants, such as ozone and respirable particles, regularly reach levels that may cause chronic health effects. Thus, clinicians should be aware of factors contributing to high-level air pollution episodes around the globe, as well as the health effects that can be attributed to chronic, lower-level exposures.