In 2023 alone, Texans paid a staggering price for the deadly impact of extreme heat. Last year, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported more than 300 deaths from this tragic crisis. As the state grapples with intensifying heat waves, researchers at Texas A&M University have unveiled concerning findings: extreme heat may not only pose direct health risks but may increase airborne pollutants, rendering heat waves increasingly unsafe.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has been closely monitoring heat-related deaths since 1989.
Impact on public health
This effort demonstrates the growing recognition of high temperature impacts on public health. This year’s shocking statistics kicked off an investigation of the common connection between extreme heat and air quality.
Bianca is a graduate student focused on aerosol and atmospheric chemistry. She guided the research upon the academic advice of her faculty mentor Renyi Zhang and her compatriots from the universities Center for Atmospheric Chemistry and the Environment (CACE). Their research is focused on shedding light on impacts of increasing temperature on atmospheric chemistry and air quality in Texas.
Understanding the Research
The CACE team conducted a pilot study during a significant heat wave in August 2024 to gain insight into these dynamics. Over the course of the study, researchers took air samples every day from August 5 to September 3 on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station. Meanwhile, midday heat indices reached 90 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit (32 to 41 degrees Celsius) during this time.
To do this, the team used a very sophisticated PTR-ToF-4000 device to analyze VOCs (volatile organic compounds) found in the atmosphere. As Aridjis-Olivos puts it, this instrument is like a “super-sensitive nose.” It allows researchers to monitor and measure VOCs at real-time levels.
“You can think of it like a super-sensitive nose,” – Bianca Pamela Aridjis-Olivos
It is this tireless, detail-oriented approach that roots out would-be polluters. It gives essential information about how these compounds respond to worst-case scenario, extreme heat, conditions. Given the current state of policy-making, this research will generate some very valuable outcomes. Heat waves are only expected to get worse throughout the United States in the next few years.
Findings and Implications
The results indicated that trees and other vegetation contribute to higher emissions during heat wave days. This substantial increase is particularly pernicious given the context of existing air pollution. This counterintuitive finding uncovers an intricate connection between biological emissions and anthropogenic pollutants. It raises troubling questions about the efficacy and equity of our air quality management as temperatures are likely to increase dramatically.
“It really was surprising how these emissions from trees increase during heat waves and interact with air pollution,” – Bianca Pamela Aridjis-Olivos
These interactions may worsen respiratory and other health impacts on already vulnerable populations. Cities are on the front lines of the impacts of climate change. It’s important to be aware of these intersecting dynamics in order to develop targeted public health initiatives and environmental policies.
Future Directions
Looking forward, the impact of this research reaches far past the borders of Texas. Similar extreme heat events are the new normal in much of the country. Increasingly, it is key for scientists, policymakers, and public health officials to understand the role extreme temperatures play on air pollution.
The CACE team’s findings highlight the crucial need for ongoing experimental research in atmospheric chemistry as climate conditions change on a global scale. By expanding their studies to include different geographic locations and climate scenarios, researchers can better predict future air quality challenges associated with climate change.