Is wildfire smoke deadlier than we thought? New research indicates thousands more may be dying!
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Wildfires have long been a natural occurrence, but as the world grapples with the escalating effects of climate change, these fires are becoming more frequent and intense.
The smoke from these wildfires is not just a temporary inconvenience; it's a serious health hazard that may be claiming thousands more lives annually than previously understood.
Recent studies have shed light on the grim reality of how smoke pollution from wildfires is exacerbating the global health crisis.
New research indicates that global warming is contributing to more wildfires and is likely responsible for an additional 12,000 deaths annually due to smoke inhalation.
According to one modelling study, the increased risk of death from wildfire smoke has been notably heightened in Australia, South America, Europe, and the boreal forests of Asia.
Another study revealed that from 2003 to 2019, global warming expanded the area affected by wildfires by nearly 16 per cent, while other human activities, like deforestation for roads and agriculture, reduced the total burned area by 19 per cent.
Both studies, published in the prestigious journal Nature Climate Change, examined the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on wildfires in relation to other human actions like land clearing.
The research, conducted by Dr Chae Yeon Park at Japan's National Institute for Environmental Studies, estimated that nearly 100,000 people died each year in the 2010s due to inhaling smoke from fires containing tiny particles known as PM2.5, which can enter the lungs and bloodstream.
Understanding how global warming contributes to these fatalities has proven challenging.
While higher temperatures and lower humidity elevate fire risks, human activities like fragmenting forests and savannahs can decrease the areas at risk of burning or help limit the spread of fires.
To address the issue, the researchers examined three models of global vegetation and fire under current climate conditions and compared them to a model that excluded the effects of modern climate change.
Although the findings differed, the authors from eight countries—including the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, and China—discovered that in every case, global warming was linked to an increase in deaths from inhaling PM2.5 particles from wildfires.
Rising temperatures were the primary contributor to the heightened fire risk in certain areas, while lower humidity was the primary contributor in others.
The authors noted that the health impacts of wildfires might be underestimated due to the higher toxicity of particles produced by fires compared to those from other sources.
Professor Hilary Bambrick, Director of the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at the Australian National University, mentioned that millions of Australians experienced hazardous and extended periods of smoke pollution during the black summer fires of 2019 and 2020.
Professor Bambrick, not involved in the study, stated, ‘This resulted in hundreds of deaths at the time, and will likely have long-term health consequences for many.’
‘This study highlights just one of the many ways climate change is bad for our health. Understanding impacts like these will help us to better plan for the future.’
Another study conducted by researchers from the UK and Belgium revealed that global warming is heightening the risk of wildfires, especially in regions like Australia, Siberia, and the African savannas.
Seppe Lampe from Vrije Universiteit Brussel noted that while human activities altering the landscape have contributed to a reduction in the total area burned, ‘the effect of climate change continues to grow’.
Professor Wim Thiery, a co-author of the study at VUB, stated that the rate at which climate change is expanding the burned area is ‘increasing every year’.
The alarming findings regarding smoke pollution from wildfires and its significant toll on human health highlight a growing concern about the effects of air quality on various populations.
As this research suggests that more people may be dying each year due to smoke inhalation, it underscores the urgent need to address environmental factors that contribute to health issues.
This is particularly pertinent when considering studies that link air pollution to an increased risk of dementia, suggesting that the ramifications of poor air quality extend beyond immediate respiratory effects, impacting long-term cognitive health.
We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences with wildfire smoke and its health impacts. Have you or someone you know been affected by the smoke from wildfires? What measures do you think should be taken to protect communities from the health risks associated with wildfire smoke? Join the conversation below, and let's discuss how we can collectively work towards a safer and healthier future.
The smoke from these wildfires is not just a temporary inconvenience; it's a serious health hazard that may be claiming thousands more lives annually than previously understood.
Recent studies have shed light on the grim reality of how smoke pollution from wildfires is exacerbating the global health crisis.
New research indicates that global warming is contributing to more wildfires and is likely responsible for an additional 12,000 deaths annually due to smoke inhalation.
According to one modelling study, the increased risk of death from wildfire smoke has been notably heightened in Australia, South America, Europe, and the boreal forests of Asia.
Another study revealed that from 2003 to 2019, global warming expanded the area affected by wildfires by nearly 16 per cent, while other human activities, like deforestation for roads and agriculture, reduced the total burned area by 19 per cent.
Both studies, published in the prestigious journal Nature Climate Change, examined the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on wildfires in relation to other human actions like land clearing.
Global heating is estimated to be responsible for an extra 12,000 deaths annually from wildfire smoke inhalation. Credit: Shutterstock
The research, conducted by Dr Chae Yeon Park at Japan's National Institute for Environmental Studies, estimated that nearly 100,000 people died each year in the 2010s due to inhaling smoke from fires containing tiny particles known as PM2.5, which can enter the lungs and bloodstream.
Understanding how global warming contributes to these fatalities has proven challenging.
While higher temperatures and lower humidity elevate fire risks, human activities like fragmenting forests and savannahs can decrease the areas at risk of burning or help limit the spread of fires.
To address the issue, the researchers examined three models of global vegetation and fire under current climate conditions and compared them to a model that excluded the effects of modern climate change.
Although the findings differed, the authors from eight countries—including the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, and China—discovered that in every case, global warming was linked to an increase in deaths from inhaling PM2.5 particles from wildfires.
Rising temperatures were the primary contributor to the heightened fire risk in certain areas, while lower humidity was the primary contributor in others.
The authors noted that the health impacts of wildfires might be underestimated due to the higher toxicity of particles produced by fires compared to those from other sources.
Professor Hilary Bambrick, Director of the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at the Australian National University, mentioned that millions of Australians experienced hazardous and extended periods of smoke pollution during the black summer fires of 2019 and 2020.
Professor Bambrick, not involved in the study, stated, ‘This resulted in hundreds of deaths at the time, and will likely have long-term health consequences for many.’
‘This study highlights just one of the many ways climate change is bad for our health. Understanding impacts like these will help us to better plan for the future.’
Another study conducted by researchers from the UK and Belgium revealed that global warming is heightening the risk of wildfires, especially in regions like Australia, Siberia, and the African savannas.
Seppe Lampe from Vrije Universiteit Brussel noted that while human activities altering the landscape have contributed to a reduction in the total area burned, ‘the effect of climate change continues to grow’.
Professor Wim Thiery, a co-author of the study at VUB, stated that the rate at which climate change is expanding the burned area is ‘increasing every year’.
The alarming findings regarding smoke pollution from wildfires and its significant toll on human health highlight a growing concern about the effects of air quality on various populations.
As this research suggests that more people may be dying each year due to smoke inhalation, it underscores the urgent need to address environmental factors that contribute to health issues.
This is particularly pertinent when considering studies that link air pollution to an increased risk of dementia, suggesting that the ramifications of poor air quality extend beyond immediate respiratory effects, impacting long-term cognitive health.
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