“Colorado Doctors See Uptick In Breathing Problems Due To Raging Wildfires - CBS Denver” plus 1 more

Colorado Doctors See Uptick In Breathing Problems Due To Raging Wildfires - CBS Denver

Posted: 16 Aug 2020 12:00 AM PDT

LOVELAND, Colo. (CBS4) – As four fires scorch their way through Colorado's Rocky Mountains, a thick haze has billowed its way across the front range, causing many to be hospitalized. Many of those with histories of respiratory issues have visited area hospitals after having difficulty breathing in wake of the fires.

(credit: CBS)

UCHealth's medical director at Medical Center of the Rockies, Dr. Jaime Teumer, said there has been an increase in patients with complaints of respiratory issues not affiliated with COVID-19 lately. He said, for the first time in his nearly 30-year-long career, he is having to decipher between symptoms of smoke inhalation and symptoms of a global pandemic.

"Today was the first time I got up in the morning when we had particulate matter on our cars outside," Teumer told CBS4's Dillon Thomas.

Teumer said residents with histories of asthma, COPD and other common breathing issues are most likely to be impacted by the smoke. However, medical professionals are still trying to understand if COVID-19 patients have any higher risk with the smoke than other regularly-healthy individuals.

"(It has already impacted) those with the chronic lung issues, and some people with heart issues also," Teumer said. "If you have (COVID-19) currently, I would say you would be impacted by it."

(credit: CBS)

It isn't clear, yet, if survivors of COVID-19 will be left with any future long-term lung damage or respiratory issues caused by the virus.

"It is too early to tell. But, I would be willing to say they are more prone to issues (with smoke inhalation) than the person who has never had it," Teumer said.

(credit: CBS)

Teumer said the best ways to avoid breathing issues caused by the fires are to limit outdoor activity which causes you to take frequent deep breaths, and to wear a medical-grade mask. Specifically, Teumer said N-95 masks will be the most effective.

As for those unsure if they are experiencing shortness of breath and coughing due to COVID-19 or the fires, Teumer said there are some common key differences in symptoms.

"The most telling symptom between COVID, and something like (the fires) is going to be fever. And, then the other symptoms we have noticed with loss of taste, loss of smell, nausea, diarrhea, body aches. Those type of things," Teumer said. "If you're getting a problem strictly related to what is in the air right now, you shouldn't have all those other symptoms."

75% EV Adoption Could Save Americans $70 Billion Each Year - CleanTechnica

Posted: 21 Aug 2020 12:00 AM PDT

Cars

Published on August 21st, 2020 | by Johnna Crider

August 21st, 2020 by Johnna Crider

A new study has found that widespread EV adoption (25–75% adoption) could save the U.S. $17–70 billion every year. The study wanted to look at the health and economic impacts of EV adoption. Researches at Northwestern University analyzed climate modeling data with that of public health to see the wide scope of how EVs impact Americans and the economy.

The study, titled "Public Health and Climate Benefits and Tradeoffs of U.S. Vehicle Electrification," found that if EVs were to replace just 25% of gas and diesel vehicles that are on the road now, the U.S. would save around $17 billion annually. How? By avoiding the double whammy damages of climate change and air pollution.

In another, more intense scenario that would replace 75% of the ICE vehicles with EVs and an increase of renewable energy generation, those savings would jump to $70 billion annually. Just imagine if 100% of the cars on the road were EVs as we continued increasing renewables.

Importance of Vehicle Electrification

Daniel Peters, who led the study, explained just how powerful the implications of vehicle electrification truly are. "Vehicle electrification in the United States could prevent hundreds to thousands of premature deaths annually while reducing carbon emissions by hundreds of millions of tons. This highlights the potential of co-beneficial solutions to climate change that not only curb greenhouse gas emissions but also reduce the health burden of harmful air pollution."

Daniel Horton, senior author of the study, noted, "From an engineering and technological standpoint, people have been developing solutions to climate change for years. But we need to rigorously assess these solutions. This study presents a nuanced look at EVs and energy generation and found that EV adoption not only reduces greenhouse gases but saves lives."

Methodology

The team conducted its study by looking at vehicle fleet and emissions data from 2014. If 25% of American drivers had adopted EVs and the power needed to keep their cars charged came from 2014's energy infrastructure, this would have prevented 250 million tonnes of CO2 emissions from entering the atmosphere.

The study also pointed out that even though the effects of CO2 are well documented, internal combustion engines (ICE) also create other types of toxic pollutants such as particulate matter and ozone. Peters explained that a good example was observing nitrogen oxides NOx, which is pretty harsh on the respiratory system. However, exposing it to the mix of sunlight and volatile compounds in the atmosphere, both ozone and particulate matter can form. These pollutants can create a vast amount of health problems, such as chronic bronchitis (that's the worst!), asthma, emphysema, and of course, early death. Once these toxic pollutants exit tailpipes and smokestacks, they mingle with the environment.

The team used a chemistry-climate model that was developed at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. They were able to see how emissions from combustion engines and power generation sources interact with one another as well as other emission sources. The researchers simulated air pollutant changes across the continental U.S. based on different levels of EV adoption and renewable energy generation. After this, they combined information form county health data from the EPA to assess the health consequences form the air quality changes caused by each electrification scenario.

Next, the team placed dollar values on the climate and health damages that were prevented as a result of EV adoption. They did this by applying social cost of carbon and value of statistical life metrics to their emission change results. Horton noted that both the social cost of carbon and the value of statistical life are often evaluated and debated, yet are regularly used to make policy decisions.

"The social cost of carbon and value of statistical life are much-studied and much-debated metrics, But they are regularly used to make policy decisions. It helps put a tangible value on the consequences of emitting largely intangible gases into the public sphere that is our shared atmosphere," he said.

Conclusion

In the conclusion of the study, the authors explained that their analysis of six EV adoption–energy generation scenarios showed that if Americans were to go electric, they could annually prevent "hundreds-to-thousands of premature deaths," along with reducing CO2 emissions by "hundreds of millions of tons."

So, not only will the U.S. save billions, but the hundreds of thousands of Americans dying from diseases that are related to air pollution will find it easier to breathe. I have chronic bronchitis — get it 2–3 times a year. I also have asthma and have almost died three times from it. I actually died once — but they brought me back. My point is, if you don't have respiratory problems, you don't want them. Trust me on that. Sometimes when I'm walking to the store, it's hard to breathe when a large truck passes by. Wearing a mask, which is required when out in public in Louisiana, helps — as long as it's not 1000 degrees out.

I honestly don't see why it's so hard to switch to electric when the benefits are right there. $70 billion and fewer hospital visits are major wins in my book.

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Tags: air pollution, electric car benefits, EV benefits, Northwestern University, NOx

About the Author

Johnna Crider is a Baton Rouge artist, gem, and mineral collector, member of the International Gem Society, and a Tesla shareholder who believes in Elon Musk and Tesla. Elon Musk advised her in 2018 to "Believe in Good." Tesla is one of many good things to believe in. You can find Johnna on Twitter

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome