FOSSIL FUEL HARMS BY AGE AND STAGE

A fact sheet by the Global Climate and Health Alliance detailing the health risks associated with fossil fuel pollution across different life stages, from pre-birth through elderly age.

• During pregnancy and pre-birth, fossil fuel exposure increases the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight, and birth defects. Exposure to benzene or fumes can damage fetal development of the heart, brain, and lungs, and increase the risk of cancer in childhood. Pregnant individuals also experience higher rates of fertility problems, gestational diabetes, and pre-eclampsia.
• Childhood exposure to fossil fuels is linked to asthma, leukemia, and permanent lung damage, as well as impaired brain development that can lower mental health and IQ. Children from marginalized and poorer backgrounds experience fewer protections and higher exposure.
• In adolescence, PAH exposure is linked to changes in the timing of puberty, though the document notes that overall risks for this group are likely underestimated because of a lack of adolescent-specific research.
• Adults often occupy the most high-exposure and hazardous roles within the fossil fuel industry, leading to long-term health consequences.
• For the elderly, fossil fuel pollution contributes to premature death, increases the risk of Parkinson's and dementia, and exacerbates chronic diseases.

APA

Global Climate and Health Alliance (n.d.). FOSSIL FUEL HARMS BY AGE AND STAGE. https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/POSTER-2.pdf

Chicago

Global Climate and Health Alliance. FOSSIL FUEL HARMS BY AGE AND STAGE. n.d. https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/POSTER-2.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Global Climate and Health Alliance |title=FOSSIL FUEL HARMS BY AGE AND STAGE |url=https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/POSTER-2.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{globalclimateandhealthalliancendfossil, author = {{Global Climate and Health Alliance}}, title = {{FOSSIL FUEL HARMS BY AGE AND STAGE}}, institution = {Global Climate and Health Alliance}, url = {https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/POSTER-2.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }