Ambient Air Quality Research Articles

Ambient air quality and risk of circulatory diseases for population of a large city in the European north of Russia

Cardiovascular diseases are the most frequent causes of premature mortality associated with ambient air quality. In the Arkhangelsk region, population mortality caused by diseases of the circulatory system is higher than the national average. The aim of this study was to assess ambient air quality in Arkhangelsk and associated health harm in adult population. The study relied on using data of ambient air monitoring in Arkhangelsk collected over 2011–2022. We analyzed average annual levels of 23 pollutants and primary incidence of diseases of the circulatory system (CVD) and calculated hazard quotients under chronic inhalation exposure (HQ), hazard index (HI) for the cardiovascular system, and the number of attributable deaths associated with exposure to PM10 and PM2.5. Over the analyzed period, the average long-term concentrations of most pollutants met hygienic standards. Average levels of formaldehyde, chromium, copper and benzene were found to exceed the MPL by 1.5–2.3 times. Hazard coefficients for formaldehyde (HQ = 2.3), copper (HQ = 1.8) and PM2.5 (HQ = 1.7) were established to be above their permissible value. The risk of developing general toxic effects is determined to be high (HI = 6.6) for the cardiovascular system. The main contribution to the risk level is made by copper and PM2.5. Attributable outcomes of primary cardiovascular incidence among the adult population of Arkhangelsk associated with exposure to PM10 and PM2.5 equaled 10.7 and 2.9 ‰ cases per year. The greatest harm under exposure to PM2.5 is due to the development of coronary artery disease and amounts to 1.9 ‰ cases per year.

Качество атмосферного воздуха и риск развития болезней системы кровообращения у населения крупного города европейского севера

Cardiovascular diseases are the most frequent causes of premature mortality associated with ambient air quality. In the Arkhangelsk region, population mortality caused by diseases of the circulatory system is higher than the national average. The aim of this study was to assess ambient air quality in Arkhangelsk and associated health harm in adult population. The study relied on using data of ambient air monitoring in Arkhangelsk collected over 2011–2022. We analyzed average annual levels of 23 pollutants and primary incidence of diseases of the circulatory system (CVD) and calculated hazard quotients under chronic inhalation exposure (HQ), hazard index (HI) for the cardiovascular system, and the number of attributable deaths associated with exposure to PM10 and PM2.5. Over the analyzed period, the average long-term concentrations of most pollutants met hygienic standards. Average levels of formaldehyde, chromium, copper and benzene were found to exceed the MPL by 1.5–2.3 times. Hazard coefficients for formaldehyde (HQ = 2.3), copper (HQ = 1.8) and PM2.5 (HQ = 1.7) were established to be above their permissible value. The risk of developing general toxic effects is determined to be high (HI = 6.6) for the cardiovascular system. The main contribution to the risk level is made by copper and PM2.5. Attributable outcomes of primary cardiovascular incidence among the adult population of Arkhangelsk associated with exposure to PM10 and PM2.5 equaled 10.7 and 2.9 ‰ cases per year. The greatest harm under exposure to PM2.5 is due to the development of coronary artery disease and amounts to 1.9 ‰ cases per year.

Significant chlorine emissions from biomass burning affect the long-term atmospheric chemistry in Asia.

Biomass burning (BB) is a major source of trace gases and particles in the atmosphere, influencing air quality, radiative balance, and climate. Previous studies have mainly focused on the BB emissions of carbon and nitrogen species with less attention on chlorine. Reactive chlorine chemistry has significant effects on atmospheric chemistry and air quality. However, quantitative information on chlorine emissions from BB, particularly the long-term trend and associated atmospheric impacts, is limited both on regional and global scales. Here, we report a long-term (2001-2018) high-resolution BB emission inventory for the major chlorine-containing compounds (HCl, chloride, and CH3Cl) in Asia based on satellite observations. We estimate an average of 730 Gg yr-1 chlorine emitted from BB activity in Asia, with China contributing the largest share at 24.2% (177 Gg yr-1), followed by Myanmar at 18.7% and India at 18.3%. Distinct seasonal patterns and significant spatial and interannual variability are observed, mainly driven by human-mediated changes in agricultural activity. By incorporating the newly developed chlorine emission inventory into a global chemistry-climate model (CAM-Chem), we find that the BB-chlorine emissions lead to elevated levels of HCl and CH3Cl (monthly average up to 2062 and 1421 parts per trillion by volume (pptv), respectively), subsequently resulting in noticeable changes in oxidants (up to 3.1% in O3 and 17% in OH radicals). The results demonstrate that BB is not only a significant source of air pollutants but also of oxidants, suggesting a larger role of BB emissions in the atmospheric chemistry and oxidation process than previously appreciated. In light of the projected increase in BB activity toward the end of the century and the extensive control of anthropogenic emissions worldwide, the contribution of BB emissions may become fundamental to air quality composition in the future.

Impact of short-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and meteorological factors on COVID-19 incidence and mortality: A retrospective study from Dammam, Saudi Arabia

The symptoms of COVID-19 included fever with or without respiratory syndrome, but patients subsequently developed pulmonary abnormalities. Exposure to air pollution, meanwhile, is associated with complications such as acute respiratory inflammations, asthma attack, and deaths from cardiorespiratory disease. To analyze the association of the air quality index (AQI), ambient air pollutants (PM10, SO2 and O3) and meteorological parameters (temperature and relative humidity [RH]) with COVID-19 incidence and mortality, a retrospective study was conducted to examine COVID-19 infection, meteorological parameters, ambient air quality and ambient air pollutants in Dammam from 1 January to 30 April 2021. Data of COVID-19 incidence and mortality for Dammam were retrieved from Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health's publicly accessible database. Meteorological data, AQI and average PM10, SO2 and O3 values were extracted from the publicly available website of Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. The correlation of COVID-19 incidence and mortality with the independent variables was analysed by Pearson's correlation test or Spearman's rho test as applicable, and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. COVID-19 incidence exhibited a positive correlation with temperature (r = 0.537, p = .0001) and a negative correlation with RH (r=−0.487, p=.0001). No correlation was observed between the meteorological variables and COVID-19 mortality. COVID-19 incidence showed a positive correlation with AQI (r=0.269, p=.015) and with the ambient air pollutants SO2 and O3 (r=0.258, p=.018), and COVID-19 mortality showed a positive correlation with PM10 (rs = 0.344, p=.002). Short-term exposure to O3, SO2 and higher temperature had direct relationship with COVID-19 incidence, while RH had inverse relationship. PM10 is positively associated with COVID-19 mortality.

Analisis Putusan Pengadilan dalam Perkara Tindak Pidana Pencemaran Udara

Air pollution is one part of physical environmental pollution. Air pollution according to the Government Regulation on air pollution control is the entry or introduction of substances, energy, and/or other components into ambient air by human activities, so that the quality of ambient air decreases to a certain level that causes ambient air to be unable to fulfill its function. The research method used is to use a type of normative legal research method, by examining library materials or secondary data which include primary legal materials, secondary legal materials and tertiary legal materials using Decision Number 68/Pdt.G/LH/2022/PN Rap. The results of the study, namely the lawsuit was rejected by the Court and the impact was air pollution, namely respiratory disorders, cardiovascular disease, impaired fetal development, decreased lung function, and chronic diseases. Conclusion Air is very important because it provides oxygen and other gases that are essential for all life on earth. Air pollution or contamination is the introduction of other components into the air, either by human activities directly or indirectly or due to natural processes. The impacts of this pollution include respiratory disorders, cardiovascular disease, impaired fetal development, decreased lung function, and chronic diseases. Suggestions Palm oil mills need to adopt more effective pollution control technologies to reduce emissions of hazardous materials into the air. Local governments and environmental regulatory agencies must ensure that palm oil mills comply with all applicable environmental regulations and standards. Local communities must be empowered and educated about their rights and how to advocate for a healthy environment.

Study association of urinary Club Cell Protein with air pollution-related pulmonary function compromised among children

BackgroundChildhood exposure to air pollution exacerbates respiratory conditions and even carries deleterious effects on lung functions in adulthood. It is desirable to establish a non-invasive screening test for children to predict early lung insult with air pollution exposure. The association between serum club cell protein (CC16) and obstructive airway diseases is known, but the same is not explored with air-pollution-related lung insult and pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters. AimTo investigate the association between urinary CC16 and PFT parameters in children exposed to differing levels of air pollution. MethodsThis cross-sectional study recruited 107 children from critically-polluted area (CPA) and 96 age-sex-matched children from non-polluted area (NPA). PFT and urinary CC16 were determined with standard techniques. Air quality parameters were estimated with adherence to National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). ResultsCPA was observed with 2.5 times poorer Air-Quality-Index compared to NPA. Urinary CC16 levels of children were four-fold higher in CPA compared to NPA (p < 0.001). CPA children were significantly deprived in PFT parameters [FVC(L)-1.86 v/s 2.02, p = 0.01; FEV1(L/s)-1.71 v/s 1.86, p = 0.01 & PEFR(L/s)- 3.25 v/s 3.69, p < 0.001]. While adjusted for physiological parameters, urinary CC16 observed with significant negative association with PFT parameters (FVC: β = −0.02, p=0.03; FEV1: β = −0.03, p=0.001 & FEF25–75 %: β = −0.05, p=0.04). ConclusionThe significant decline in lung function parameters and elevated urinary CC16 levels among children in polluted areas underscore the need for further research to validate urinary CC16 as a reliable screening tool for respiratory health monitoring among children.

Ambient Air Quality Detection System Powered by Internet of Things-Based Sansevieria Plant (Case Study of Manduro Health Center)

Puskesmas Manduro is one of the public health service centers located at Jl. Raya Ngoro KM 14, Manduro MG Village, Ngoro District, Mojokerto Regency, East Java. As a basic health service center, it is important to monitor air quality and maintain air quality in accordance with the Environmental Quality Standard (SBMKL). This study aims to design an Internet of Things-based air quality detection system that utilizes Sansevieria plants as one of the natural solutions in absorbing air pollution levels. The method used is the research and development method which includes system design, tool making, website design, tool integration, and system testing. The sensors used are MQ-7 sensors for carbon monoxide gas, MQ-135 sensors for nitrogen dioxide gas, MQ-131 sensors for ozone gas, Dust GP2Y1010AU0F sensors for PM2.5, and DHT22 sensors for temperature and humidity. The results of testing the system for three days obtained the average temperature 30.64C, humidity 73.62%, CO 735.63 µg/m³. NO2 27.30 µg/m³, O3 32.13 30 µg/m³, and PM2.5 2.14 µg/m³. Based on the test results that have been carried out, it shows that the air quality monitoring system can provide data, graphs, and indicator levels for the Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU). Air quality data obtained from sensors can be displayed on the LCD and also displayed in real-time through the website.

Assessment of Ambient Air Pollution Levels: A Five-Year Analysis of PM2.5, NO, NO2, NOX, CO, and SO2

The study conducted on the air quality of five highly polluted cities in India over the last five years (2015-2020) sheds light on the detrimental effects of air pollution and the need for monitoring and mitigation. The research focused on six major air pollutants: PM2.5, NO, NO2, NOX, CO, and SO2. The study's findings reveal that the concentrations of these air pollutants consistently exceeded the limits set by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards 2009 and the World Health Organization's Ambient Air Quality Standards. This indicates that the air quality in these cities was consistently poor and posed a significant health risk to the population. The study emphasises that certain subpopulations, such as the elderly, young children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions like asthma, are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollutants. Elevated levels of pollutants in the air can lead to severe health effects and contribute to the development of serious diseases. Furthermore, the study highlights that the air quality significantly improved in 2020 due to the nationwide lockdown imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The restrictions on mobility and industrial activities resulted in reduced emissions, leading to a temporary improvement in air quality. These conclusions underscore the critical importance of understanding the harmful effects of air pollutants and taking measures to protect human health and preserve the quality of the environment.

Evaluating the efficacy of machine learning in calibrating low-cost sensors

Ambient air quality monitoring requires low-cost environmental sensor devices that are affordable and feasible for large-scale implementation. However, issues such as sensor drift, environmental sensitivity, and inter-sensor variability affect data accuracy and cannot be adequately addressed by traditional calibration methods. This paper summarizes the use of machine learning techniques for calibrating low-cost sensors. The literature review shows that machine learning models like Random Forest, Support Vector Regression, and Neural Networks significantly improve sensor accuracy and reliability. For instance, Random Forest models reduced the root mean squared error by 30% for PM2.5 measurements, while Neural Networks achieved an R value of 0.997 for methane sensors. Integrating machine learning with IoT and mobile technologies enhances real-time monitoring and spatial resolution. Identified gaps include the quality of training datasets, managing environmental variability, and improving model transferability across different contexts. Addressing these gaps through advanced models and real-time calibration methodologies will further enhance sensor performance, ensuring more precise and reliable environmental data.

Mapping air quality trends across 336 cities in India: Insights from three decades of monitoring (1987–2019)

Over a span of 34 years (1987–2019), an in-depth analysis of PM10, SO2, and NO2 trends across India was conducted using data from the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme’s manual monitoring stations in 336 cities. The study encompassed six geographical regions over three time blocks, revealing a correlation between the expansion of monitoring networks and the nation’s economic growth. Regions like the densely populated Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) and Central India consistently hosted more monitoring stations, while the Himalayan and Northeast regions saw substantial increases from initial scarcity. SO2 concentrations showed a declining trend, while NO2 levels remained relatively stable with intermittent fluctuations. Conversely, national average PM10 concentrations exhibited an upward trajectory, notably spiking by 128 % between 2006 and 2009 due to economic activities, construction, network expansion, the 2009 drought, and heightened coal consumption. Spatially, pollutant concentrations across three blocks demonstrated improved SO2 levels, several cities exceeding NO2 standards, and persistently high PM10 levels in the IGP. PM10 levels in block 3 were lower than in block 2, reflecting effective policy interventions. State rankings, however, did not consistently reflect pollutant trends across blocks. Regionally, the IGP consistently had the highest PM10 concentrations, while the Northeast recorded the lowest. Population-weighted exposure levels indicated an overall increase in public exposure to PM10. Analysis of major city per region aligned with national trends, as evidenced by Delhi (IGP), Guwahati (Northeast), Vadodara (Northwest), and Bhopal (Central) showing increased PM10 concentrations since 2006, followed by intermittent declines. In contrast, Shimla (Himalayan) and Chennai (Southern) exhibited distinct patterns. Major industrial cities such as Parwanoo, Bongaigaon, Angul and Talcher, and Visakhapatnam mirrored national trends, with PM10 levels rising since 2009, highlighting the significant impact of industrial activities on air quality. This research underscores the need for targeted, effective mitigation strategies based on spatial and temporal pollutant trends.

Relative humidity driven nocturnal HONO formation mechanism in autumn haze events of Beijing

Nitrous acid (HONO), a key precursor of hydroxyl radicals (OH), is one of the factors affecting atmospheric chemistry and air quality. Currently, the proposed sources of HONO are not able to fully explain observed HONO concentrations. In this study, a comprehensive field observation of HONO was conducted in the autumn of 2021 in urban Beijing. The box model using a default Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM) was unable to reproduce the observed HONO concentrations with a normalized mean bias (NMB) of −92.8%. The NMB improved to −46.1% after the inclusion of seven additional HONO formation pathways. Several factors like vehicle emission factor (1.23%) and nocturnal NO2 heterogeneous uptake coefficient on the ground surface (8.25 × 10−6) were calculated based on observational data. The enhancement factor for nocturnal NO2 heterogeneous conversion was established as a function of relative humidity (RH) and incorporated into the model, which compensated for the missing nocturnal HONO sources and well-reproduced the observed HONO concentrations, with an NMB of −5.1%. The major source of HONO at night was found to be the heterogeneous reaction of NO2 on the ground surface, contributing up to 85.6%. During the daytime, it was the homogeneous reaction of NO with OH, accounting for 41.8%. The daytime primary source of OH was mainly the photolysis of HONO, which constituted 73.6% and therefore promoted the formation of secondary pollutants and exacerbated haze events.

Long-term spatiotemporal distribution characterization of atmospheric black carbon MERRA-2 concentration over China

Black carbon (BC), a component of atmospheric aerosols, strongly adsorbs solar radiation, thereby influencing atmospheric stability and air quality. In this study, the spatiotemporal distribution, historical trends, and influencing factors of BC concentration in China from 1980 to 2020 have been investigated using MERRA-2 (Modern-era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, Vision2) reanalysis dataset, population distribution, and industrial statistics data. The annual total MERRA-2 BC concentration in China (averaging 1.08 μg/m3 over the study period) exhibited three distinct phases: slow growth (1980–1999, 0.02 μg/m3/year), rapid growth (2000–2007, 0.61 μg/m3/year), and gradual decline (2008–2020, -0.014 μg/m3/year). The BC concentration was consistently higher in autumn and winter than in spring and summer, being lowest in July (9.6 μg/m3) and highest in December (14 μg/m3). Spatially, the annual average BC concentration from 1980 to 2020 followed the order: central Yangtze River region (3.14 μg/m3) > eastern coastal region (2.72 μg/m3) > northeastern region (1.40 μg/m3) > western riverine region (0.69 μg/m3) > northwestern frontier region (0.31 μg/m3). High BC-concentration areas, mainly in the central and eastern regions, correlate with regions of vigorous human activities and high industrialization levels, confirming that human activity markedly influences BC pollution. Since 2013, the implementation of emission control strategies and adjustments in the energy structure in China had led to a significant decline in BC concentration. By revealing the spatiotemporal distribution and trends of BC concentration in China, this study provides valuable scientific insights for atmospheric science, environmental protection, and air pollution.

Quantifying the diurnal variation in atmospheric NO2 from Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) observations

Abstract. The Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) over Asia is the first geostationary Earth orbit instrument in the virtual constellation of sensors for atmospheric chemistry and composition air quality research and applications. For the first time, the hourly observations enable studies of diurnal variation in several important trace gas and aerosol pollutants including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which is the focus of this work. NO2 is a regulated pollutant and an indicator of anthropogenic emissions in addition to being involved in tropospheric ozone chemistry and particulate matter formation. We present new quantitative measures of NO2 tropospheric column diurnal variation which can be greater than 50 % of the column amount, especially in polluted environments. The NO2 distribution is seen to change hourly and can be quite different from what would be seen by a once-a-day low-Earth-orbit satellite observation. We use GEMS data in combination with TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) satellite and Pandora ground-based remote sensing measurements and Multi-Scale Infrastructure for Chemistry and Aerosols (Version 0, MUSICAv0) 3D chemical transport model analysis to examine the NO2 diurnal variation in January and June 2023 over Northeast Asia and Seoul, South Korea, study regions to distinguish the different emissions, chemistry, and meteorological processes that drive the variation. Understanding the relative importance of these processes will be key to including pollutant diurnal variation in models aimed at determining true pollutant exposure levels for air quality studies. The work presented here also provides a path for investigating similar NO2 diurnal cycles in the new Earth Venture Instrument-1 Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring Pollution (TEMPO) data over North America, and later over Europe with Sentinel-4.

Evaluating the Environmental Indicators of Ambient Air Quality at a Carlisle Midsize Farm

Evaluating the Environmental Indicators of Ambient Air Quality at a Carlisle Midsize Farm

Addressing gaps and disparities in ambient air quality monitoring in the US

Addressing gaps and disparities in ambient air quality monitoring in the US

Taking Stock of the Revision to the Ambient Air Quality Directives in Europe

Taking Stock of the Revision to the Ambient Air Quality Directives in Europe

The color influence of dust in air pollutants on architectural painting: a case of archery tower at the West Gate in Shaanxi, China

At present, under the influence of environmental pollution, the color of architectural painting gradually darkens, loses luster, and even cracks when the pigment falls off, which seriously affects the long-term preservation of architectural painting. In order to study the damage mechanism of dust particles to the color of the architectural painting, this study took the archery tower at the West Gate as the research object, monitored the temperature and humidity of the indoor environment, and analyzed the composition of the dust by ICP-MS, IC, and XRD. The experimental results showed notable fluctuations in the indoor humidity in inner the archery tower at the West Gate during the monitoring period from January to March, which were not conducive to the preservation of wood-colored paintings. The 24-h average PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, measured over 2 days in January, were beyond the National Ambient Air Quality Standard norms, and PM contains a large amount of soluble salts such as sulfate and nitrate, causing serious salt erosion and damage to the color painting layer. Through the simulation experiment of the color painting layer, it was revealed that the dust particles deposited on the surface of the color painting layer change the spectral characteristics of the color painting layer, and then cause the color layer to lose its original hue, fade become blurred, or darken. It was anticipated that this research would serve as a valuable reference for the preventive protection of the color painting layer of the archery tower at West Gate.

Metabolic pathways altered by air pollutant exposure in association with coagulation function among the rural elderly

Air pollution exposure has been linked with coagulation function. However, evidence is limited for the relationships between air pollution, coagulation function and metabolomics in humans. We recruited a panel of 130 rural elderly from the Chayashan township in China, all of whom were free of pre-existing cardiovascular diseases and had provided residential address information. We conducted clinical examinations and collected blood samples from these rural elderly for the detection of coagulation biomarkers (e.g, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, thrombin time, and prothrombin time) and untargeted metabolites in both December 2021 and August 2022. We used mini ambient air quality monitor to measure the mean levels of five air pollutants (e.g., PM2.5, SO2, NO2, CO and O3) during 1 to 2 weeks before blood sample collection. The Mummichog pathway analysis was used to identified potential metabolic features and pathways. In this study, we identified 5 pathways associated with both air pollution and coagulation function, and further pinpointed eight metabolic features within these pathways. The majority of these features were lipids, including arachidonic acid and linoleic acid. Overall, the findings of this study offer insights into potential mechanisms, particularly lipid metabolism, that may underlie the association between air pollution and coagulation function.

Criteria, Greenhouse Gas, and Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions Factors from Residential Cordwood and Pellet Stoves Using an Integrated Duty Cycle Test Protocol.

Air pollution from residential wood heating (RWH) presents challenges at the intersection of climate and public health. With a revised National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS, at 9 μg/m3) for particulate matter (PM) in the United States (U.S.), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will likely classify new non-attainment areas due primarily to emissions from RWH. Agencies will use emissions factors (EFs) to develop attainment strategies. Many will rely on EPA modeling platforms based on data from the National Emissions Inventory (NEI). The NEI uses RWH EFs based on data from mid-1990's in-situ studies and a speciation profile from a 2001 study of fireplace emissions. The NEI does not include greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for this sector, which plays a key role when assessing climate reduction strategies for the buildings sector. Here, we tested seven wood stoves to determine EFs, representing various vintages and control technologies, using a novel test method that reflects in-use operational settings called the Integrated Duty Cycle. The study measured multiple pollutants concurrently: criteria pollutants (particulate matter [PM], CO, and NOx), nonmethane total hydrocarbons (NMTHCs), GHGs, black carbon (eBC), brown carbon (BrC), and multiple hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). We found no significant difference in PM EFs between uncertified and non-catalytic stove technologies. RWH EF results from this study exceeded 2020 NEI RWH EFs for NMTHC and multiple HAPs. Applying our study's EFs to the 2020 NEI suggests that RWH, compared to all other sources, ranks as the 2nd largest source category of formaldehyde; the 3rd largest of benzene, 1,3-butadiene, and acrolein; and the 4th largest of Pb emissions. RWH also emits more methane compared to natural gas or oil residential heating, raising questions about substitution of wood as a climate neutral heating fuel. However, compared to uncertified stoves, pellet stove EFs (except toxic metals) were significantly lower (p < 0.01). In summary, RWH appears to be an underestimated source of PM (non-catalytic technology), methane, NMTHC, toxic metals, and other HAPs, which has important implications for climate and public health policy in the U.S. and globally.

Attributable deaths in Austria due to ozone under different climate scenarios.

Tropospheric ozone is an air pollutant that poses a public health problem in Europe. Climate change could increase the formation of ozone. Applying past and predicted annual total (all-cause) mortality data and modeled daily ozone concentrations, we performed a nationwide health impact assessment estimating annual ozone-related (attributable) deaths in Austria. Different approaches were compared. Estimates were based on maximal 1-h averages of ozone. Until the decade from 2045 till 2055, more people will die in Austria because of the demographic trends. Therefore, more deaths will also be attributable to ozone. Higher greenhouse gas emission scenarios (e.g. Representative Concentration Pathway RCP8.5 compared to RCP2.6) will lead to more ozone-related deaths, mostly due to the national emission of ozone precursors (a difference of 250-340 cases per year, depending on the model), but to a lesser extent because of global climate change. Increases in attributable deaths will be affected mostly by national, not global mitigation measures. National emission reduction will certainly have a strong and beneficial effect on local atmospheric chemistry, air quality, and public health.