Wildfire smoke could have long-term health effects, but more study needed

When Long Island and the surrounding region was coated with smoke from Canadian wildfires earlier this summer, it raised new concerns about the health and wellness impacts of air pollution.

Decades of research have shown that pollution from cars, power plants, and other sources can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as cancer, in some people. In contrast, the study of wildfire smoke is more recent and has mostly focused on the short-term impacts, which have been easier to measure.

Understanding the long-term impacts of exposure to wildfire smoke is a vital piece of air pollution research, experts say, because what are now rare episodes in the Northeast could become more frequent in the coming years.

Dr. Robert Laumbach, an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, said the composition of wildfire smoke does not mirror other types of air pollution.

Short-term effects of exposure to wildfire smoke include:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Eye irritation
• Difficulty breathing

Data has shown an increase in hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular issues among vulnerable populations, such as the elderly. Asthma-related emergency department visits in New York, not including New York City, increased after wildfire smoke covered the region for several days in early June, state officials said.

Overall, there was a statewide increase of 17.8% in the rates per 100,000 for June 7, over the period of June 1 through 5. For the New York City Metropolitan area, the increase was 28.4%.

Laumbach said it’s possible the long-term health effects of wildfire smoke may be similar to those of other air pollution sources, but there is a different dynamic in terms of exposure that needs to be analyzed.

Everyday air pollution tends to exist in lower levels that fluctuate but remain relatively constant day to day, while wildfire smoke causes high levels of pollution over shorter periods of time that are generally less frequent.

Global trends show that wildfire seasons are getting longer, occurring at a more frequent pace and with greater damage, according to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Wildfires raging in Canada’s Northwest Territories forced thousands of residents to evacuate in recent days. As of Thursday, there were 673 wildfires deemed out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Another 159 were reported as being held, and 220 were under control.

While maps suggest that the wildfire smoke may be drifting into the Northeast in the next few days, it is not expected to cause unhealthy levels of air on Long Island, according to Nelson Vaz, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Upton.

Long Island air pollution increases health risks, doctor says

Exposure to air pollution overall can cause a range of health problems, including increased risk of asthma attacks, heart attacks and stroke, plus adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as low birthweight babies, experts said. And there also have been links between air pollution and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as cancer.

While Long Island’s air quality has been rated “good” on most days, even lower levels of pollution over time can cause health problems, experts said. Day-to-day air pollution levels on Long Island are high enough to increase the population’s risk for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases over time, compared to populations that don’t live in areas with similar levels of air pollution, according to Dr. Kenneth Spaeth, division chief of occupational and environmental medicine at Northwell Health and Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine.

“If you are living far out East, it’s somewhat lower. If you are living close to the Long Island Expressway, the levels would be higher,” Spaeth said.

The composition of wildfire smoke is complex, according to the EPA. It includes gaseous pollutants such as carbon monoxide, as well as hazardous air pollutants, water vapor and particle pollution. “Particle pollution represents a main component of wildfire smoke and the principal public health threat,” according to the agency.

Spaeth said particulate matter is a broad category that includes everything from visible soot to invisible, ultrafine nanoparticles.

“It’s actually the small stuff we cannot see that’s the most dangerous to our health,” he said. “They’re so small, they pass right through our lungs when we breathe them in, leave our lungs, enter the circulatory system and travel all over our body.”

The presence of these small particles in the blood can cause plaque to rupture in the cardiovascular vessels, possibly leading to a heart attack, Spaeth said.

June smoke caused spike in ER visits

Dr. Christopher Tedeschi, associate professor of emergency medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, said the combination of smoke conditions and heat in June caused a spike in emergency department visits for respiratory conditions like asthma.

“Overall, the poor air quality likely contributes to the exacerbation of chronic diseases, like COPD and heart disease, in vulnerable populations,” he said. “Certainly populations without access to cool locations or clean air are more at risk.”

Experts have said studying the long-term effects of wildfire smoke, as opposed to other types of air pollution, is challenging because exposure happens in episodes over a period of days and weeks, and not year-round.

A 2021 review of several studies focused on the long-term health effects of wildfire smoke published in The Journal of Climate Change and Health said those papers showed “some correlations between wildfire exposure and multiple health effects, including increased mortality, respiratory illnesses, and cancer,” but emphasized that more research is needed.

Some experts have tried to compare inhaled cigarette smoke to inhaled wildlife smoke in an effort to explain the hazard to the general public. But Wolf said the risks aren’t comparable.

“I think the real danger with the smoke that we’re getting from forest fires right now is the microparticles,” he said. “They cause more damage than just the equivalent of a certain amount of cigarettes.”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
• SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 3.9: Hospitalization rates for respiratory and cardiovascular issues among vulnerable populations.
• Indicator for SDG 11.6: Air pollution levels on Long Island.
• Indicator for SDG 13.1: Frequency and severity of wildfires.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Explanation:

1. The article addresses the health and wellness impacts of air pollution, which is connected to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

2. The specific targets identified are SDG 3.9, SDG 11.6, and SDG 13.1.

3. The indicators mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards these targets are hospitalization rates for respiratory and cardiovascular issues among vulnerable populations (SDG 3.9), air pollution levels on Long Island (SDG 11.6), and the frequency and severity of wildfires (SDG 13.1).

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: newsday.com

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