As Wildfires Rage, What Is the Smoke Doing to Our Health and Bodies?
As wildfires continue to ravage the US and Canada, scientists are uncovering more about the severe health impacts of wildfire smoke. Fires like the Durkee fire in Oregon, the Park fire in California, and the Jasper fire in Alberta have spread smoke over hundreds of miles, impacting cities such as Boise and Calgary.
Wildfire smoke is toxic, and recent studies have highlighted its alarming effects. A decade-long study involving over 1 million people in southern California found a 21% increased risk of dementia diagnosis linked to wildfire smoke exposure, compared to other air pollution sources. Another study in California attributed over 50,000 premature deaths to wildfire smoke, which has also been linked to increased hospital admissions for asthma and cardiovascular issues. On heavy smoke days, the risk of cardiac arrests rises by 70%.
Dr. Lisa Patel, a pediatrician and executive director at the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health, notes that wildfire smoke affects various parts of the human body. Research shows it increases risks for low birthweight, preterm births, and stillbirths. Fine pollutants from wildfire smoke are particularly harmful because they penetrate the circulatory system and can affect a developing fetus's brain, lungs, and liver.
Wildfire smoke contains a mix of volatile organic compounds, aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals, especially when buildings burn, releasing carcinogenic substances. This toxic mix makes wildfire smoke more harmful than regular fossil fuel pollution.
Children are especially vulnerable due to their rapidly developing lungs and higher respiration rates. A 2021 study found wildfire smoke is ten times more harmful to children's respiratory health compared to other air pollution sources.
How to Stay Safe
To protect against wildfire smoke, Dr. Patel recommends monitoring the air quality index daily and investing in air purifiers, especially for bedrooms. If a commercial air purifier is unaffordable, a DIY version can be made using a box fan and a high-quality filter, which can reduce indoor air pollution by 50%-60%.
When going outside on high-smoke days, wearing an N95 mask offers the best protection, but it's important to ensure a proper fit. However, it's advised not to engage in strenuous activities like jogging while wearing an N95 mask.
Dr. Patel emphasizes the need for a new awareness about the chronic exposure to wildfire smoke. As wildfires become more frequent, it's essential to recognize the long-term health risks and take proactive measures to protect our families.
"We need to change our perspective from seeing these events as one-offs to understanding that for our kids, this is likely to be a chronic exposure," says Dr. Patel, who is also a member of Science Moms, a group encouraging moms to address the climate crisis as a parenting issue.
In conclusion, understanding and mitigating the health risks of wildfire smoke is crucial as we face an era of increasingly frequent and severe wildfires.