DoH warning on climate and cataract

The report identifies environmental factors that could affect the health of the population and will assist the Government's long-term planning on issues of climate change and health. In general, the effects of air pollutants on health are likely to decline but the effects of ozone during the summer are likely to increase. Cases of skin cancer are likely to increase by up to 5,000 cases per year and cataracts by 2,000 cases per year. Measures taken to reduce the rate of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions could produce secondary beneficial effects on health. The report recommends that the Government's current work programme on climate change should be expanded, particularly the work of the UK Climate Impacts Programme. Chief medical officer Professor Liam Donaldson said: 'If global climate changes continue unchecked there will be an impact on the health of the public.' The report was produced by the Expert Group on Climate Change and Health, which was established at the request of ministers in 1999.