The Upsetting Truth About What Wildfire Smoke Does to Your Body
Much of Canada is ablaze again, with more than 200 active wildfires having consumed roughly 10,000 square miles (26,000 square kilometers) since January, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre reported Thursday, June 5.
This escalating situation pumped massive amounts of smoke across the Canada-U.S. border, affecting air quality as far south as Florida, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). As climate change lengthens and intensifies wildfire season in many regions across the world, understanding the dangers of smoke exposure is increasingly important. A wave of new research paints a complex picture of how wildfire smoke impacts the body, linking it to startling health outcomes that go far beyond the respiratory system.
'There is an urgent need for research to fully understand the health impacts of wildfire smoke to raise awareness among public and health professionals, as well as to support the development of effective regulations to mitigate the impacts,' Yaguang Wei, assistant professor of environmental medicine at Mount Sinai's Icahn School of Medicine, recently told the Harvard Gazette.
Wei is the lead author of a new study, published in May in the journal Epidemiology, which found that wildfire smoke can damage the lungs and heart for up to three months after the fire is out. He and his colleagues linked this 'medium-term' exposure to increased risks of various cardiorespiratory conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, pneumonia, chronic lung disease, and asthma.
'Even brief exposures from smaller fires that last only a few days can lead to long-lasting health effects,' Wei told the Harvard Gazette.
Infectious fumes
Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gases, air pollutants, water vapor, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It contains significant levels of toxic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which are known carcinogens. Recent studies even suggest that wildfire smoke carries microbial and fungal pathogens.
One such study, published in the ISME Journal in 2021, noted that 80% of microbes found in wildfire smoke samples were still viable. While it's still unclear how these organisms survive the extremely high temperatures in wildfires, researchers do have an idea of how they get into the smoke in the first place. George Thompson, a professor of medicine at the University of California, Davis, who was not involved in the study, told Gizmodo that wildfires pull pathogens from the surrounding soil and vegetation as they draw in air.
'The good news is, most of those bacteria and fungi really don't cause infections [in healthy individuals],' Thompson said. 'We're most concerned for our patients whose immune systems have been impacted already,' such as those receiving chemotherapy or recovering from trauma, he added.
A 2023 study, however, found evidence to suggest that wildfire smoke could raise infection risk among the general population. The findings, published in The Lancet, Planetary Health, associated California wildfires with an 18% to 22% increase in invasive fungal infections such as valley fever. Thompson pointed out that the study was based on large hospital data, which is 'a great start,' but further research will need to corroborate this link.
The brain on fire
The most hazardous component of wildfire smoke is not pathogens, but PM2.5. These minuscule particles penetrate deep inside the lungs and wreak havoc on the respiratory system. Previous research has shown that the tiniest, ultrafine particles can pass from the lungs directly into the bloodstream. This can damage blood vessels and trigger harmful inflammation and oxidative stress in various organs, including the brain.
Multiple studies have associated wildfire smoke exposure with incidence of dementia. Last year, research published in JAMA Neurology analyzed health data from more than 1.2 million Southern Californians aged 60 and older, and found a significant link between long-term exposure to wildfire-related PM2.5 and a heightened risk of dementia.
Specifically, every 1 microgram per cubic meter increase in the three-year average of wildfire PM2.5 raised the odds of a dementia diagnosis by 18%. In comparison, the same increase in PM2.5 from non-wildfire sources was linked to only a 1% greater risk of developing dementia.
'I was expecting for us to see an association between wildfire smoke exposure and dementia,' lead author Holly Elser, an epidemiologist and resident physician in neurology at the University of Pennsylvania, told the Los Angeles Times in 2024. 'But the fact we see so much stronger of an association for wildfire as compared to non-wildfire smoke exposure was kind of surprising.'
Psychological fallout
Other studies have linked wildfire smoke to adverse psychological outcomes. Research published in JAMA Network Open in April analyzed data on wildfire PM2.5 levels and mental health-related emergency department visits throughout California between July and December 2022—the state's worst wildfire season on record. The study found that wildfire smoke correlated with a significant spike in mental health emergency department visits for up to seven days post-exposure.
'Our study suggests that—in addition to the trauma a wildfire can induce—smoke itself may play a direct role in worsening mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and mood disorders,' co-author Kari Nadeau, a physician-scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said in a university statement.
Questions remain
All of this research demonstrates that wildfire smoke is more than just a respiratory hazard. But experts are still in the early stages of unraveling its complex health impacts—particularly in terms of mental health, Angela Yao, a senior scientist with the Environmental Health Services at the B.C. Centre for Disease Control in Canada, told Gizmodo.
Many questions remain unanswered, she said. For example, 'How do you disentangle the impact of smoke from the impact of the fire itself?' Future studies will need to investigate these confounding factors. But, 'even with the current evidence that we have—it already gives us confidence that we should take a lot of action,' she added.
To protect yourself from the hazards of wildfire smoke, Yao recommended limiting the length and intensity of time spent outdoors. 'The harder you breathe, the more smoke you inhale,' she said. If you must go outside, wearing an N95 mask or a P100 can reduce your smoke exposure, according to the EPA.
Keep windows and doors shut to ensure that your indoor air is safe. It's also important to make sure your home's HVAC system is running properly, Yao added. If you don't have one, you can purchase a portable air filter or build your own using a furnace filter and a box fan.
As wildfire season becomes increasingly impactful, taking steps to protect yourself and your family from smoke has never been more critical. Experts still have a long way to go towards fully understanding the risks of wildfire exposure, but one thing is clear—these hazards aren't going away any time soon.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bloomberg
2 hours ago
- Bloomberg
Texas Law Requiring Warnings on Some Foods Signed by Governor
Texas legislation that will require warning labels on food and beverages such as M&Ms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Fanta will become law after Governor Greg Abbott signed the initiative. Abbott signed Senate Bill 25 on Sunday night — a victory for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' movement, which is looking to remove ingredients such as synthetic dyes from the nation's food supply.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Best Time to Eat Blueberries for Maximum Antioxidant Absorption, According to Dietitians
Reviewed by Dietitian Maria Laura Haddad-GarciaBlueberries are rich in antioxidants that fight disease-causing free radicals. Eating blueberries regularly matters more than the specific time of day. Pair blueberries with fats or protein to boost antioxidant have long been celebrated as one of nature's most nutrient-rich fruits. These tiny yet mighty berries are particularly rich in antioxidants, which play a crucial role in protecting our cells from stress. But not just any kind of stress—oxidative stress. The kind that arises when our bodies are bombarded by too many destructive molecules called free radicals. Fortunately, antioxidants, like the ones in blueberries, help ward off and neutralize these harmful substances. In doing so, antioxidants help protect our bodies from chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. As promising as these benefits may be, does timing your berry intake matter when it comes to unlocking their full potential? Better yet, could what you pair them with affect how well your body absorbs their disease-fighting antioxidants? We spoke with two dietitians to answer these questions and provide additional tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your bowl of blueberries. Blueberries are bursting with several key compounds and nutrients that have powerful antioxidant properties. These include: Anthocyanins: These plant pigments give blueberries their deep blue-purple color and are the most abundant antioxidants in the fruit. They are linked to improved heart health, brain function, reduced inflammation and protection against oxidative stress. Quercetin: A plant compound known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting benefits. Vitamin C: A water-soluble vitamin found in small amounts in blueberries that helps to support immunity and combat cell-damaging free radicals. Resveratrol: While most commonly associated with red grapes, this natural compound is also present in blueberries. It's renowned for its antioxidant, heart-protective and anti-inflammatory benefits. Chlorogenic Acid: A potent polyphenol that helps to protect cells, lower inflammation and support healthy blood sugar levels. Bannan highlights that while each antioxidant has its own unique properties, they all work together to neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals and promote overall cellular health. While there is no scientifically-proven 'best' time of day to eat blueberries for maximum antioxidant absorption, Patricia Bannan, M.S., RDN, emphasizes that consuming them consistently—whether with breakfast, as a midday snack or even as an evening dessert—can help ensure that you're regularly benefiting from their protective nutrients. 'What's more important than timing is pairing them with other nutrient-dense foods to support absorption and making them a regular part of your routine,' she explains. Maggie Moon, M.S., RDN, adds that right after eating blueberries, anthocyanin levels typically rise for a few hours before returning to baseline. But that's not all. 'Their beneficial byproducts circulate for up to two days, which is why I recommend eating berries like blueberries at least a couple times a week for brain health and overall well-being,' says Moon. Therefore, both dietitians agree that eating blueberries regularly outweighs optimal timing when it comes to reaping the antioxidant benefits. If you want to get the most benefit out of blueberries, Bannan and Moon share a few additional tips to help you maximize their antioxidant potential: Pair them with healthy fats: Pairing blueberries with healthy fats like nuts, seeds, avocado or nut butter may help your body absorb and use their antioxidants more effectively. Eat them with protein-rich foods: Some research suggests that protein binds to anthocyanins, enhancing their absorption in the body. Opt for fresh or frozen blueberries: These options retain and preserve most of their antioxidant content. Blend them up: Blending them can also improve bioavailability by breaking down the fruit's cell walls. Minimize cooking time: Prolonged cooking can diminish antioxidant levels. But overall, incorporating them into any form, whether lightly cooked, fresh or frozen, is still important to reap the benefits. Take care of your digestive health: Digestive problems, such as low stomach acid or gut imbalances, can also affect how well antioxidants are absorbed and utilized, particularly vitamin C. For delicious ways to make blueberries a regular part of your diet, Moon and Bannan suggest: Enjoying them as a snack: Grab a cup of fresh blueberries to enjoy between meals. Eating them with other antioxidant-rich foods: Pair them with dates, prunes, arugula, tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe or other berries for an extra antioxidant boost. Blending them into smoothies: Add frozen blueberries into your morning smoothie with a splash of plant milk or citrus juice. Using them as a topper: Blueberries are a delicious way to elevate your chia pudding or oatmeal. Whisking them into a vinaigrette: Mix together blueberry juice, balsamic vinegar, oil and a touch of honey for a tasty vinaigrette to pour over salads. Making fruit-infused water: Infuse a pitcher of cold water with blueberries and cucumbers for a refreshing drink. Elevating your drinks: Freeze blueberries and lemonade together in an ice cube tray for a fun and festive way to cool down your drinks. It turns out that timing doesn't matter as much as consistency when it comes to maximizing the antioxidant absorption from blueberries. Instead, experts agree that it's best to pair your blueberries with a meal or snack containing dietary fat, and opt for fresh or frozen blueberries when possible. Whether you like your berries blended into a smoothie, sprinkled on top of your oatmeal or on their own as a snack, eating them regularly is the best way to reap their antioxidant benefits. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Inside The Disney-Inspired Office Campus with 13,000 Employees
Epic is the leading provider of electronic medical records in the U.S.-- but its headquarters looks nothing like a typical tech Wisconsin HQ features treehouses, yellow brick roads, and even air-tagged sheep. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
