An Increase in Asthma and COPD in Northern Cyprus
Prof. Dr. Fisun Yıldız, a faculty member at the Faculty of Medicine at Cyprus International University (CIU), pointed out a significant increase in asthma, COPD, and other respiratory diseases in Northern Cyprus in recent years. She stated that this situation is closely related to climate change, air pollution, and environmental factors. Yıldız explained, "Climate change is not just about rising temperatures, but it is also altering the quality of the air we breathe. This leads to serious health issues, particularly for asthma and COPD patients." She emphasized that desert dust carried from Africa, increased humidity levels, and heatwaves pose multiple threats to respiratory health. "Breathing is a fundamental human right; protecting this right requires clean air policies and environmental awareness," she added.
1. How has the prevalence of respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD changed in recent years in Northern Cyprus?
The prevalence of asthma and COPD in Northern Cyprus has noticeably increased in recent years. The main causes of this rise include environmental factors and lifestyle changes. Specifically, air pollution due to climate change, the transport of desert dust, the accessibility of tobacco and tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products, the increasing distance from natural environments, the rising consumption of processed foods, and antibiotics usage make the immune system more susceptible to allergic diseases. Additionally, lung cancer, interstitial lung diseases (a group of progressive diseases involving lung scarring), and lung infections are also common in Northern Cyprus.
2. How would you generally explain the effects of climate change on respiratory health? Which mechanisms trigger or worsen diseases?
After the industrial revolution, the continuous increase in the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases has caused global warming and dramatically altered the climate. The main factors contributing to the rise in greenhouse gases include human-made causes such as the use of fossil fuels, deforestation, land-use changes, cement production, industrial processes, and urbanization.
Air pollution resulting from climate change, heatwaves, desert dust transport, droughts, forest fires, increased pollen, extreme weather events, and moisture and mold formation due to heavy rainfall have all negatively impacted respiratory health. Managing diseases like asthma, COPD, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis has become more difficult, leading to increased hospital and emergency visits. This has added pressure to healthcare systems and increased health expenditures, turning it into a public health issue that burdens economies. Moreover, children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic diseases are the most vulnerable groups to the respiratory health effects of climate change.
In conclusion, climate change alters the quality of the air we breathe and environmental conditions, leading to direct and indirect effects on the respiratory system. These effects have increased the frequency and severity of diseases such as asthma, COPD, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis.
3. How much of a risk do the frequent African dust transports and air pollution events in recent years pose to respiratory diseases in Northern Cyprus?
Due to its geographical location, Northern Cyprus is frequently exposed to desert dust coming from Africa, especially during the spring and summer months. Increasing air pollution creates multiple threats to respiratory health, posing serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups. This situation has led to an increase in respiratory disease consultations.
Effects of Dust Transport on Respiratory Health: Desert dust contains harmful particles such as PM10 and PM2.5. These particles reach the lungs and trigger inflammation, increasing the risk of flare-ups in asthma and COPD patients. Dust particles can also carry airborne viruses, leading to faster and wider spread of infections. Allergic reactions increase.
Meteorologically, these air events should be closely monitored, and local health authorities and experts should warn the public during these periods and ensure preventive measures are taken.
4. How do heatwaves, humidity levels, and seasonal changes affect the symptoms of asthma and COPD patients?
Heatwaves, high humidity, and seasonal changes increase the risk of shortness of breath, coughing, increased sputum production, and flare-ups in asthma and COPD patients, severely impacting their quality of life. Hospital admissions and hospitalizations also increase, and in severe cases, there may be intensive care unit admissions and deaths.
5. Are Northern Cyprus' air quality monitoring and evaluation systems sufficient? What are your thoughts on public access to this data and awareness?
Air quality monitoring systems in Northern Cyprus have shown progress in recent years. Particularly, EU-funded projects have been aiming to improve technical capacity ("Improving the Capacity to Control Air Quality in the Turkish Cypriot Community" (REFORM/2022/EA-RP/0002)). Additionally, the Meteorological Department of Northern Cyprus regularly shares weather and some environmental data, but air quality data is limited.
Unfortunately, public access to this data is limited and scattered, and awareness is low. Early warning systems, such as mobile apps, SMS systems, or social media alerts, to warn the public when air quality deteriorates, are not widely available. To improve this situation, digital platforms (mobile apps, web portals) that the public can easily understand should be developed, awareness should be raised through health and environmental campaigns, and warning systems should be established through collaboration between meteorology and health institutions. Local governments and schools should also carry out educational activities.
6. What are the simplest but most effective measures that asthma or COPD patients can take in their daily lives against air pollution and climate change?
Small but effective measures can significantly improve the quality of life for respiratory patients and reduce the risk of flare-ups. Some simple but effective measures include:
1. Monitor air quality: Track daily weather and air pollution indexes, as well as dust transport via meteorology and health institution data. Avoid going outside during periods of high humidity or heatwaves.
2. Wear a mask when going outside, especially during dusty, polluted, or pollen-heavy days (preferably N95 or similar filtered masks).
3. Regularly take prescribed medications for chronic diseases. If any symptoms change, contact the treating doctor.
4. Wear light-colored, loose clothing, consume light food, and drink plenty of water during excessive heat.
5. Pay attention to air conditioning and ventilation systems, regularly change filters, carefully adjust the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor environments, and avoid direct exposure to air conditioning.
6. Avoid going outside or exercising during hours when the air quality is poor, or when temperatures are excessively high.
7. What steps need to be taken in Northern Cyprus regarding clean air policies, green space usage, and transportation regulations to protect public health?
To protect public health in Northern Cyprus, clean air policies, increasing green spaces, and developing sustainable transportation solutions are essential. Reducing reliance on fossil fuels, encouraging public transportation, and tightening environmental controls should be prioritized.
Recent statements by the Turkish Cypriot Medical Association and assessments of environmental health clearly show the impact of environmental factors on public health in Northern Cyprus. The fundamental steps that should be taken in this area include:
o 1. Clean Air Policies should be developed. Air quality monitoring stations should be expanded, and data should be transparently shared with the public. Dependence on fossil fuels should be reduced, and the transition to renewable energy sources in electricity generation should be accelerated. Quarrying, landfill fires, and construction activities should be subject to strict environmental controls. Regular measurements and sanctions for industrial and exhaust emissions should be implemented.
o 2. Green Space Usage must be urgently regulated. Green spaces should be prioritized in urban planning. Public parks, walking paths, and afforestation projects should be increased. Green buffer zones should be created around schools, hospitals, and elderly care centers. Eco-friendly architecture and ecological landscaping designs should be encouraged in urban transformation projects.
o 3. Transportation Regulations should be implemented. Public transportation infrastructure should be strengthened, and bus and minibus services should be increased. Bicycle lanes and pedestrian-friendly zones should be expanded. Incentive systems (such as free public transportation days) could be implemented to reduce unnecessary car usage. Electric vehicles and charging stations should be widely introduced to reduce carbon emissions.
o 4. Community participation and awareness should be increased. Joint projects with municipalities, environmental organizations, and professional unions should be developed. The public should be encouraged to demand action on environmental issues, and awareness should be raised through educational campaigns and media support.
These steps should be considered strategic investments in protecting public health and the environment. "Clean air, green spaces, and healthy transportation are not just environmental concerns; they are the cornerstones of public health."
8. How are vulnerable groups like children and the elderly more affected by climate change-related respiratory problems? Should special measures be taken for these groups?
Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable groups to climate change-related respiratory problems. Due to underdeveloped immune systems in children and weakened immune systems in the elderly, they experience these effects more intensely and should definitely receive special protective measures. Especially, elderly individuals have a reduced ability to adapt to heat and humidity changes, which makes them more susceptible. For these groups, the following measures should be taken:
o Educational campaigns should be conducted to explain why these groups are vulnerable.
o Awareness should be raised, and the protection of these groups should be treated as a societal responsibility through media and social campaigns.
o Special information about air quality warning systems should be provided for these groups.
o Filtered ventilation systems should be used indoors, masks should be encouraged during dust transport and pollen seasons, vaccinations and regular health checks should be promoted, and green space and clean air policies should be applied in schools and elderly care centers.
9. If climate change continues in the coming years, what increase or changes in respiratory diseases do you expect in Northern Cyprus?
The Mediterranean basin is identified as one of the regions most affected by the climate crisis, and since Northern Cyprus is located right in the middle of this zone, the effects of climate change in the coming years could create multifaceted risks for respiratory health in Northern Cyprus. Aside from geographical factors, the increased particulate matter from desert dust carried from Africa, which causes irritation in the airways, changes in plant species and pollen density due to drought and decreasing rainfall, and the negative impact of fossil fuels used in energy production on air quality, are all important risk factors for the rise of respiratory diseases in Northern Cyprus. Therefore, if climate change continues at this rate, a significant increase in diseases such as asthma, COPD, allergic diseases, lung cancer, and respiratory infections is expected, along with more frequent flare-ups and the appearance of these diseases at younger ages. Children and the elderly will be the most affected groups by these changes.
10. If you were to summarize in one message what people should do individually and collectively to "protect their breath," what would it be?
In the face of climate change, air pollution, and environmental threats, everyone can do something: raise awareness, initiate behavioral changes, and take action through advocacy strategies to urgently stop climate change. To protect your breath, take action for yourself and for society!