Wildfires, Air Quality, and Health

Due to the occurrence of wildfires, people in California know how problematic air quality can impact physical wellbeing. The feeling of inhaling smoke all day is hard to forget. But there is a lot of research to show that smoke exposure can be even more hazardous than one might guess.

During wildfires, the release of smoke can distribute various pollutants in the air, exposure to these pollutants can cause health problems [1]. For example, fine particulates in smoke known as PM2.5 can increase health problems concerning the heart and blood vessels [1]. There is also evidence that PM2.5 exposure can cause respiratory issues as well [1]. Both these types of PM2.5 related health problems can be acute and chronic [1]. In particular, PM2.5 exposure from wildfires may put young children at risk for respiratory issues [2].

Additionally, it seems that the elderly are at risk of needing to be hospitalized when exposed to these fine particulates [1]. And the amount of people hospitalized for asthma and related issues is shown to be higher when a population is exposed to smoke from wildfires [1]. Considering such statistics, it is no surprise that wildfires can add pressure to local healthcare systems [3].

[4] :Environ. Sci. Technol. 2022, 56, 14, 10042-10052

Figure 1

Smoke (and associated air pollutants) from wildfires can impact air quality in both indoor and outdoor locations [4].

Figure 1 shows how wildfire smoke can decrease air quality, both indoors and outdoors [4]. Although figure 1 was originally meant to show this in reference to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [4], PM2.5 from wildfire smoke can also decrease indoor and outdoor air quality [5]. And considering wind can carry wildfire smoke for hundreds of kilometers, an enormous range of people are at risk [5]. However, people in low income areas are especially at risk, due to generally more exposure to air pollution, even when wildfire smoke is not present [5]. This can be due to housing with closer proximity to major roads, exposing residents to air pollution from vehicles, such as carbon monoxide [5].

Researchers predict that, in California, air pollution from wildfires is set to become even more significant [3]. This is largely due to the growing impact of climate change [3]. Air quality seems to be a major influence when considering public health outcomes. The decrease in air quality associated with wildfires as well as the health problems is linked to long term exposure to poor air quality. Therefore, work that helps prevent wildfires can also help prevent various illnesses of major concern. This is one of the many reasons why the Robotic Assisted Wood Waste Removal Project is in progress.

Sources:

1. DeFlorio-Barker, S., Crooks, J., Reyes, J., & Rappold, A. G. (2019). Cardiopulmonary Effects of Fine Particulate Matter Exposure among Older Adults, during Wildfire and Non-Wildfire Periods, in the United States 2008–2010. Environmental Health Perspectives, 127(3), 37006--37006. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp3860

2. Gheissari, R., Liao, J., Garcia, E., Pavlovic, N., Gilliland, F. D., Xiang, A. H., & Chen, Z. (2022). Health outcomes in children associated with prenatal and early-life exposures to air pollution: a narrative review. Toxics (Basel), 10(8), 458. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10080458

3. Black, C., Tesfaigzi, Y., Bassein, J. A., & Miller, L. A. (2017). Wildfire smoke exposure and human health: Significant gaps in research for a growing public health issue. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 55, 186–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2017.08.022

4. Ghetu, C. C., Rohlman, D., Smith, B. W., Scott, R. P., Adams, K. A., Hoffman, P. D., & Anderson, K. A. (2022). Wildfire Impact on Indoor and Outdoor PAH Air Quality. Environmental Science & Technology, 56(14), 10042–10052. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c00619

5. Shrestha, P. M., Humphrey, J. L., Carlton, E. J., Adgate, J. L., Barton, K. E., Root, E. D., & Miller, S. L. (2019). Impact of Outdoor Air Pollution on Indoor Air Quality in Low-Income Homes during Wildfire Seasons. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(19), 3535. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193535