The interaction between air pollution, weather conditions, and health risks: a systematic review

Introduction

Both weather and air pollution can harm public health. However, the evidence on the synergistic effects of both remains inconclusive. Therefore, the aim of this study was to summarise the evidence regarding the bidirectional interaction between weather, air pollution, and their effects on health.

Method

We searched PubMed and Web of Science for studies from Europe or North America published from 2010 to 2024. The results of all study outcomes were narratively synthesised and grouped by pollutants, weather parameters, and health outcomes.

Results

Among 62 included studies, we examined results for ozone (O₃) (n = 39), particulate matter smaller than 10 μm (PM₁₀) (n = 18) and 2.5 μm (PM₂.₅) (n = 35), and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) (n = 20). Findings revealed an interactive effect between high temperatures and O₃, PM₁₀, and PM₂.₅ on mortality; PM₁₀ on cardiovascular; and PM₂.₅ on respiratory diseases. Stronger O₃ effects appeared in tropical weather for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and O₃/PM₂.₅ in transitional weather for respiratory mortality. Evidence of cold-air pollution interactions was limited, aside from PM₂.₅’s effects on cardiovascular morbidity and childhood asthma. For NO₂, we observed some synergistic effects with high temperatures on overall mortality and mental and neurological diseases. Overall risk of bias was low to moderate, but some studies had a higher risk due to missing confounders.

Conclusion

Future work should focus on weather warning systems that integrate both extreme weather and air pollution. Additionally, researchers should fill evidence gaps beyond temperature effects on health, and perform subgroup analysis across diverse regions, climates, and populations to incorporate an international perspective.