Increasingly, people are realizing the impact of oil and oil related products on health. Areas most affected include landowners and residents of oil and gas fields, communities surrounding major ports, neighborhoods affected by high amounts of pollution, and those victimized by oil spills. These areas report increased incidents of asthma, respiratory and cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, liver failure, cancer and other minor ailments like sleeplessness, nausea and headaches. To read more about the effects of oil and gas, please refer to www.earthworks.org.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Diseases carried by mosquitoes or other insects could spread farther north due to increased temperatures. Malaria, dengue fever and yellow fever are a few examples of the types of diseases that could potentially be spread.

HEAT EXHAUSTION
In extremely hot temperatures, the cardiovascular system must work harder to keep the body cool. Those with heart problems and weak cardiovascular systems may not be able to effectively cool the body. In 2003, a massive heatwave in Europe killed 35,000 people.

RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS
Higher air temperatures will result in an increase in ground level ozone, which damages lung tissue. Even individuals without asthma or respiratory problems can experience chest pains and pulmonary congestion from exposure to ozone. A temperature increase of 4 degrees F could increase concentrations of ozone by as much as 5 percent. Air pollution and particulate matter (or soot) can also cause respiratory disease, asthma, and higher risks of lung cancer.