Extreme heat exacerbates atmospheric ozone pollution: Holistic data-based causal investigation in China.

ABSTRACT: Climate change-induced extreme heat (EH) events intensify atmospheric surface ozone (O₃) pollution, posing growing threats to public health and environment. To address the lack of rigorous empirical confirmation regarding the causal impact of EH on O₃ despite their observed co-occurrence, this study develops a robust statistical framework to assess this relationship across China. The framework integrates three checkpoints: (1) correlational checkpoint based on linear mixed model; (2) causal checkpoint based on instrumental variable, Heckman two-step selection model, and propensity score methods with generalized bootstrap validation; and (3) directional (of causality) checkpoint based on transfer entropy. Results consistently demonstrate a statistically significant cau

SUBMITTER: Xia R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12925047 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature