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Study published in Science Advances links prolonged exposure to PM2.5 from wildfire smoke to 24,100 annual deaths in the US, with higher risk for rural areas, young people, and neurological diseases in the analyzed period
Chronic exposure to **PM2.5 from smoke** from wildfires contributed to an average of 24,100 deaths per year between 2006 and 2020 in the 48 contiguous states, shows a study by Science Advances.
PM2.5 from Smoke Emerges as a Growing Threat
The recently published study links prolonged exposure to tiny particles from wildfire smoke to tens of thousands of annual deaths in the United States. The analysis considers 15 years and data from 3,068 counties.
Yaguang Wei, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and author of the study, stated that wildfire smoke is dangerous and poses a growing threat to human health.
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Particles Enter Lungs and Bloodstream
The research focused on deaths related to chronic exposure to fine particles, known as PM2.5, identified as the main concern in wildfire smoke. They can lodge deep in the lungs and reach the bloodstream.
In the short term, these particles can cause coughing and itchy eyes. With prolonged exposure, they can worsen existing problems and lead to respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases, as well as premature death.
Min Zhang, a postdoctoral student at Icahn School and author of the study, stated that PM2.5-laden smoke has become a significant environmental risk in the US, driven by more frequent and intense fires linked to climate change.
Deaths Not Recorded as Wildfire-Related
Michael Jerrett, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, emphasized that most deaths associated with smoke are not recorded as wildfire deaths. This identification tends to occur only with direct contact with fire.
Many people affected by exposure live in situations of greater vulnerability. For the researcher, the numbers do not represent merely an abstract estimate, but real lives lost due to smoke-related effects.
How the Data Was Analyzed
The authors examined the relationship between average annual exposure to **PM2.5 from wildfire smoke** and deaths by county in the 48 contiguous states. The database included federal mortality data from 3,068 counties.
Deaths from all causes and specific causes, such as circulatory, neurological, and respiratory diseases, were considered. The analysis also included mental and behavioral disorders, tumors, and endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases.
The researchers also test
ed deaths from falls and transport accidents, which likely have no connection to smoke, to check for possible distortions. Wei stated that there was no association with car accidents and falls, unlike other diseases.
Deaths from neurological diseases showed the largest increase in the face of particle exposure. The strength of the association between exposure and mortality varied according to the season and the groups analyzed.
Rural Areas and Young People Appeared More Vulnerable
The link was stronger during cold periods. People in rural areas and younger communities appeared more vulnerable, according to the data evaluated in the study.
The researchers also calculated that for every 0.1 microgram per cubic meter increase in PM2.5 in these locations, approximately 5,594 more people died each year.
Jerrett pointed to the large studied population and the inclusion of most causes of death in the US as advantages. At the same time, he stated that county-level data could lead to overestimates or underestimates because smoke moves dynamically.
He highlighted that smoke does not cover an entire county at once. Some areas may be much more affected than others, and the study also did not consider relevant factors, such as smoking habits.
Authors Advocate for Control and Monitoring
Kai Chen, an associate professor of environmental sciences at the Yale School of Public Health, positively evaluated the comparison between PM2.5 from smoke and from other sources, such as vehicle emissions.
The authors pointed out critical risks in federal setbacks in climate change policies during the Trump administration, in the face of an increase in more destructive wildfires, attributed largely to global warming.
The conclusion highlights the need for urgent and effective mitigation strategies, supported by monitoring and regulation from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA. Chen agreed that controlling PM2.5 from wildfires is important.
With information from AP News.
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