Observed Effects on Very Early Pregnancy Linked to Ambient PM2.5 Exposure in China among Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer

Climate-Driven Escalation of Global PM2.5 Health Burden from Wildland Fires

Wildland fires constitute a major source of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5), significantly impacting air quality and public health. As the climate becomes warmer and drier, fire frequency is projected to rise, yet how the associated health impacts of fire-sourced PM2.5 (FPM2.5) respond to climate change remains vague. In this study, we modeled the global concentration and associated premature deaths of FPM2.5 over the past two decades. Our results reveal an upward trend in FPM2.5 concentrations globally, contributing to an increase in premature deaths from 156,000 to 241,000 between 2000 and 2021, alongside population growth and aging. Substantial variations are observed on a regional scale, but most regions experience increasing exposure levels, suggesting an increased impact of FPM2.5. Further regression analysis indicates that climate change plays a critical role in these trends, accounting for 56% of the net changes in FPM2.5-related premature deaths. Warming and drought emerge as key drivers of climate-induced health risks, with slightly different contributions to the FPM2.5 concentration and the associated premature deaths. Our findings underscore the urgent need to integrate climate adaptation strategies with fire management to mitigate the growing health burden caused by FPM2.5 worldwide.