Spatial correlations between summer ozone heatwave dual events and residents mental health in China

Abstract In the context of global warming, the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events have significantly increased. Elevated temperatures accelerate atmospheric photochemical reactions, resulting in higher ambient ozone (O3) levels. This convergence of heatwaves and elevated O2 concentration...

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Main Authors: Rongjun Zeng, Jinhui Zhao, Yanxia Hu, Liling Chu, Shenwen Du, Changzhun Zheng, Chao He
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04930-4
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author Rongjun Zeng
Jinhui Zhao
Yanxia Hu
Liling Chu
Shenwen Du
Changzhun Zheng
Chao He
author_facet Rongjun Zeng
Jinhui Zhao
Yanxia Hu
Liling Chu
Shenwen Du
Changzhun Zheng
Chao He
author_sort Rongjun Zeng
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In the context of global warming, the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events have significantly increased. Elevated temperatures accelerate atmospheric photochemical reactions, resulting in higher ambient ozone (O3) levels. This convergence of heatwaves and elevated O2 concentrations presents a dual threat to public health. This study analyzes surface ozone concentrations and heatwave data from the summers of 2013 to 2020 across China, integrating these with mental health data from the Chinese population. Using spatiotemporal analysis and econometric models, we investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of ozone and heatwaves during Chinese summers and assess population exposure risks. Our findings quantitatively elucidate the correlations between combined ozone-heatwave events and residents’ mental health. By 2020, the number of days with high surface ozone, heatwave days, and heatwave events in China had risen by 16.15%, 26.32%, and 15.67%, respectively, with marked spatial heterogeneity and clustering patterns. Despite a slight decline in 2020, the population exposed to high ozone levels (> 160 μg/m3) and prolonged heatwave conditions (> 20 days) showed an overall upward trend. Furthermore, 57.95% and 20.91% of regions are projected to remain at risk from these combined hazards. As surface ozone and heatwave exposure risks escalate, the mental health burden on residents has intensified, with significant spatial disparities observed.
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issn 2045-2322
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spelling doaj-art-372dbd9c0f5245dba153cd56c93da5c22025-08-20T03:45:26ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-04930-4Spatial correlations between summer ozone heatwave dual events and residents mental health in ChinaRongjun Zeng0Jinhui Zhao1Yanxia Hu2Liling Chu3Shenwen Du4Changzhun Zheng5Chao He6Faculty of Resources and Environmental Science, Hubei UniversityNormal School, Hubei UniversityNormal School, Hubei UniversityCollege of Resources and Environment, Yangtze UniversityCollege of Resources and Environment, Yangtze UniversityFaculty of Resources and Environmental Science, Hubei UniversityWuhan Documentation and Information Center, Chinese Academy of SciencesAbstract In the context of global warming, the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events have significantly increased. Elevated temperatures accelerate atmospheric photochemical reactions, resulting in higher ambient ozone (O3) levels. This convergence of heatwaves and elevated O2 concentrations presents a dual threat to public health. This study analyzes surface ozone concentrations and heatwave data from the summers of 2013 to 2020 across China, integrating these with mental health data from the Chinese population. Using spatiotemporal analysis and econometric models, we investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of ozone and heatwaves during Chinese summers and assess population exposure risks. Our findings quantitatively elucidate the correlations between combined ozone-heatwave events and residents’ mental health. By 2020, the number of days with high surface ozone, heatwave days, and heatwave events in China had risen by 16.15%, 26.32%, and 15.67%, respectively, with marked spatial heterogeneity and clustering patterns. Despite a slight decline in 2020, the population exposed to high ozone levels (> 160 μg/m3) and prolonged heatwave conditions (> 20 days) showed an overall upward trend. Furthermore, 57.95% and 20.91% of regions are projected to remain at risk from these combined hazards. As surface ozone and heatwave exposure risks escalate, the mental health burden on residents has intensified, with significant spatial disparities observed.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04930-4Ozone-heatwaveDual eventsMental healthSpatial correlationsChina
spellingShingle Rongjun Zeng
Jinhui Zhao
Yanxia Hu
Liling Chu
Shenwen Du
Changzhun Zheng
Chao He
Spatial correlations between summer ozone heatwave dual events and residents mental health in China
Scientific Reports
Ozone-heatwave
Dual events
Mental health
Spatial correlations
China
title Spatial correlations between summer ozone heatwave dual events and residents mental health in China
title_full Spatial correlations between summer ozone heatwave dual events and residents mental health in China
title_fullStr Spatial correlations between summer ozone heatwave dual events and residents mental health in China
title_full_unstemmed Spatial correlations between summer ozone heatwave dual events and residents mental health in China
title_short Spatial correlations between summer ozone heatwave dual events and residents mental health in China
title_sort spatial correlations between summer ozone heatwave dual events and residents mental health in china
topic Ozone-heatwave
Dual events
Mental health
Spatial correlations
China
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04930-4
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AT lilingchu spatialcorrelationsbetweensummerozoneheatwavedualeventsandresidentsmentalhealthinchina
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