Severe storms caused 600 deaths and 3,799 reported injuries in 1997 alone. Floods are the most frequent natural disaster and the leading cause of death from natural disasters in the U.S. Other health effects from extreme weather include bacterial proliferation and drinking water contamination, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder. Air pollution and health Weather and air pollution levels are connected. The anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change are also air pollutants, for example, nitrogen oxides are potent heat-trapping gases as well as ingredients of smog. Protecting against increased heat by an increased use of air conditioning, as one possible adaptive response, would lead to increased fuel combustion for power generation and hence greater emissions.
Heat can also increase ozone formation.
Ground level ozone can exacerbate respiratory diseases by damaging lung tissue, reducing lung function and sensitizing the lungs to other irritants. Drops in lung function are accompanied by chest pain, coughing and pulmonary congestion. Exposure to particulate matter can aggravate existing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and lead to cancer or premature death. Those who suffer from asthma are especially vulnerable. Climate change may also play a role in exposure to airborne allergens by affecting pollen production and the time spent indoors in summer and outdoors in winter.