Climate change 'will lead to worse air quality'

Air quality is likely to be worsened as the effects of climate change become more pronounced, according to new research. A new study published in the journal 'Nature Climate Change', has suggested that over half of world's population will be exposed to low-lying air pollution, resulting in "stagnant atmospheric conditions". 

A research team, led by Daniel Horton, climate modeller at Stanford University, has suggested that the atmospheric conditions will grow increasingly worse as the effects of climate change become more pronounced. The areas that will be most affected are likely to be the tropics and subtropics.

The team used 15 climate models that looked at the world as a whole in order to track changes that occur in atmospheric stagnation events; such as the duration of events and the frequency. A stagnation event is when air masses that remain stationary develop, allowing dust, soot and ozone to build up within the lower atmosphere. The stagnation is caused by three meteorological events: a stable lower atmosphere, light winds and little to no precipitation.

There are few studies looking at how stagnation can affect air quality and how different global regions would fare if the issue grew worse. The effect it could have upon human health is also poorly studied.

According to the study, the increase in frequency and duration of these stagnation events indicates that climate change is likely to affect future methods of pollution control, as greater measures will be needed to keep air quality at safe levels for humans.

The research suggests that by 2099, around 55 per cent of the world's population will experience a greater level of air stagnation. Areas throughout Mexico, the Amazon and India are likely to be exposed to around 40 more days of stagnant air each year than the average yearly tally from the period 1986 to 2005. This is an increase of 19 per cent, 28 per cent and 40 per cent respectively.