Joel Schwartz, Ph.D., Professor of Environmental Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Epidemiologist Joel Schwartz appeared on Science for the Public's Contemporary Science Issues & Innovations program on October 29, 2024. He discussed his work on the acute and chronic health effects of fossil fuel air pollution. One of his recent collaborative studies revealed that exposure to fine combustion particles in the air at concentrations well below current standards is associated with a range of conditions, including dementia, asthma, heart attacks, and lung cancer. The study also indicated that the death rate from fossil fuel pollution is almost 1 in 5 deaths worldwide, about twice the previous mortality estimate.

Dr. Schwartz also discussed his work on lead contamination, which has influenced the steady move toward federal restrictions on lead pipes and lead in drinking water.