Urban Forests: An Unsung Hero in Major City Health

Key Takeaways:

• Urban forests in U.S cities have been reported to contribute to decreased mortality rates by filtering fine particulate matter, a harmful pollutant from the air.
• The process of urban foresting is complex and includes factors like plant configuration, tree species, and location and timing for planting, requiring strategic planning at local and regional levels.
• Despite their benefits, trees can also contribute to health problems such as allergies and asthma due to pollen.
• Cities with dense urban forests like Atlanta and New York City significantly benefit, with the latter estimated to save approximately eight lives per year.
• Trees are only a part of the solution to air pollution, with emission reduction from power plants, cars, and pollutant sources remaining the major tools to combat this issue.

Anaylsis reveals parks and tree-lined avenues in urban areas do more than grant shade; they could also be saving lives.

Recent findings by a U.S Forest service research indicate that the urban forests of 10 cities across the United States have been responsible for averting roughly one death per year.

This unexpected health benefit is attributed to the trees’ ability to filter out fine particulate matter from the air.

The Menace of Fine Particulate Matter

Fine particulate matter is a microscopic pollutant originated from the burning of fossil fuels. Car emissions, wood burning, as well as emissions from industrial sources like power plants, are a few of the primary contributors. When inhaled, these miniscule particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, posing a significant health risk, particularly for people with pre-existing heart or lung conditions. These tiny particles are known to ignite inflammation in the blood vessels and airways.

According to David Nowak, the leading Forest Service researcher of the study, trees play a crucial role in safeguarding city inhabitants from the adverse health effects of air pollution. The study’s findings, which got published in an issue of the journal Environmental Pollution, however, does not suggest increasing tree plantations hazardously.

The Complexity of Urban Foresting

While the large-scale correlation between tree coverage and human health is now more apparent, Nowak emphasised that it isn’t simply a matter of planting more trees. Figuring out the ideal configuration of plants, selecting the best tree species, and determining the ideal location and timing for planting are all part of the intricacies involved in improving people’s quality of life with urban foresting, according to Nowak. This needs to be addressed at state and regional levels.

The Mixed Blessings of Trees

Nowak also noted that trees provide a range of benefits. They not only assist in reducing air pollutants like ozone and moderating summer temperatures, they also inadvertently create some problems for human health. For instance, trees are a source of pollen, which can exacerbate allergies and asthma.

Nowak’s research relied on everyday air-quality data from 10 U.S. cities and information regarding the cities’ tree coverage. The team employed a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) software to estimate the health effects of changes in air quality.

Atlanta takes the lead, removing the most fine particle pollution, 64.5 metric tons, thanks to its relatively dense urban forest. However, New York City has the distinction of being top when it comes to lives saved, with eight lives saved per year on average. This is a result of both the city’s vast population and the significant reduction of fine particulate matter in the air by trees.

Trees Are Not The Sole Solution

Helpful as they are, trees are not going to be the all-encompassing solution for air pollution. Janice Nolen, assistant vice president of national policy for the American Lung Association, stated that they are, indeed, one of the smaller-scale defenses that offer individuals added protection from pollution. Still, she maintains that the “major tools” remain to be emission reduction measures from power plants, cars, and other pollutant sources.

The noteworthy correlation between tree coverage and overall human health is worth constant monitoring, including the consideration of strategic tree-planting along roadways, added Nolen.

Further Information

For more details on fine particulate air pollution, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency has developed a rich knowledge base accessible here.