1
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Castillo C, Dittrich R, Shandas V, Gall E, Starry O. Mitigating wildfire smoke inside homes: Evidence from Oregon, September 2020. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2024; 44:1114-1127. [PMID: 37953395 DOI: 10.1111/risa.14252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
The smoke produced by wildfires can travel great distances and lead to respiratory and/or cardiovascular health impacts through inhalation. Individuals can reduce exposure by implementing smoke mitigation measures in their homes and beyond. In this article, we examine household level survey data (n = 543) on wildfire smoke mitigation in response to the September 2020 wildfires that occurred in the state of Oregon (and beyond). The air quality was hazardous for about 10 days in many affected regions. This study assessed the implementation of six commonly referenced approaches to reducing exposure to smoke: staying indoors; keeping doors and windows closed, turning on HVAC; using air purifiers; replacing air filters, and wearing face masks. We found high levels of implementation of staying indoors and keeping doors and windows closed; however, statistical analysis of socioeconomic demographics suggests that respondents vary in the implementation of the other measures. Income, number of exposure days, and access to information on smoke mitigation were positively associated with the implementation. Given the importance of information access for implementation for three of the measures, we also present data on how different age groups prefer to be contacted about air quality and smoke mitigation. For example, participants above 65 years of age prefer local TV as opposed to social media, whereas text messages were favored by all age groups. These survey results will help to inform the design of campaigns to engage community members differentially and potentially affect best communication practices and other assistance/preparation for smoke mitigation across demographics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruth Dittrich
- Pamplin School of Business, University of Portland, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Vivek Shandas
- Department of Geography, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Elliott Gall
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Olyssa Starry
- University Honors College, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, United States
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2
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Johnston FH, Williamson G, Borchers-Arriagada N, Henderson SB, Bowman DMJS. Climate Change, Landscape Fires, and Human Health: A Global Perspective. Annu Rev Public Health 2024; 45:295-314. [PMID: 38166500 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-060222-034131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Landscape fires are an integral component of the Earth system and a feature of prehistoric, subsistence, and industrial economies. Specific spatiotemporal patterns of landscape fire occur in different locations around the world, shaped by the interactions between environmental and human drivers of fire activity. Seven distinct types of landscape fire emerge from these interactions: remote area fires, wildfire disasters, savanna fires, Indigenous burning, prescribed burning, agricultural burning, and deforestation fires. All can have substantial impacts on human health and well-being directly and indirectly through (a) exposure to heat flux (e.g., injuries and destructive impacts), (b) emissions (e.g., smoke-related health impacts), and (c) altered ecosystem functioning (e.g., biodiversity, amenity, water quality, and climate impacts). Minimizing the adverse effects of landscape fires on population health requires understanding how human and environmental influences on fire impacts can be modified through interventions targeted at individual, community, and regional levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fay H Johnston
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia;
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centre for Safe Air, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Grant Williamson
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centre for Safe Air, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | | | - Sarah B Henderson
- Environmental Health Services, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David M J S Bowman
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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3
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Zhang Y, Tingting Y, Huang W, Yu P, Chen G, Xu R, Song J, Guo Y, Li S. Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke on Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Curr Environ Health Rep 2024; 11:46-60. [PMID: 38038861 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00420-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Wildfire smoke is associated with human health, becoming an increasing public health concern. However, a comprehensive synthesis of the current evidence on the health impacts of ambient wildfire smoke on children and adolescents, an exceptionally vulnerable population, is lacking. We conduct a systematic review of peer-reviewed epidemiological studies on the association between wildfire smoke and health of children and adolescents. RECENT FINDINGS We searched for studies available in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus from database inception up to October 11, 2022. Of 4926 studies initially identified, 59 studies from 14 countries were ultimately eligible. Over 33.3% of the studies were conducted in the USA, and two focused on multi-countries. The exposure assessment of wildfire smoke was heterogenous, with wildfire-specific particulate matters with diameters ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5, 22.0%) and all-source (22.0%) PM2.5 during wildfire period most frequently used. Over half of studies (50.6%) focused on respiratory-related morbidities/mortalities. Wildfire smoke exposure was consistently associated with enhanced risks of adverse health outcomes in children/adolescents. Meta-analysis results presented a pooled relative risk (RR) of 1.04 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96-1.12) for all-cause respiratory morbidity, 1.11 (95% Ci: 0.93-1.32) for asthma, 0.93 (95% CI, 0.85-1.03) for bronchitis, and 1.13 (95% CI, 1.05-1.23) for upper respiratory infection, whilst - 21.71 g for birth weight (95% CI, - 32.92 to - 10.50) per 10 µg/m3 increment in wildfire-specific PM2.5/all-source PM2.5 during wildfire event. The majority of studies found that wildfire smoke was associated with multiple adverse health outcomes among children and adolescents, with respiratory morbidities of significant concern. In-utero exposure to wildfire smoke may increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes and have long-term impacts on height. Higher maternal baseline exposure to wildfire smoke and poor family-level baseline birthweight respectively elevated risks in preterm birth and low birth weight associated with wildfire smoke. More studies in low- and middle-income countries and focusing on extremely young children are needed. Despite technological progress, wildfire smoke exposure measurements remain uncertain, demanding improved methodologies to have more precise assessment of wildfire smoke levels and thus quantify the corresponding health impacts and guide public mitigation actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Zhang
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Ye Tingting
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Wenzhong Huang
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Pei Yu
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Gongbo Chen
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Rongbin Xu
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Jiangning Song
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yuming Guo
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Shanshan Li
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
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4
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Gao Y, Huang W, Zhao Q, Ryti N, Armstrong B, Gasparrini A, Tong S, Pascal M, Urban A, Zeka A, Lavigne E, Madureira J, Goodman P, Huber V, Forsberg B, Kyselý J, Sera F, Guo Y, Li S. Global, regional, and national burden of mortality associated with cold spells during 2000-19: a three-stage modelling study. Lancet Planet Health 2024; 8:e108-e116. [PMID: 38331527 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(23)00277-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to cold spells is associated with mortality. However, little is known about the global mortality burden of cold spells. METHODS A three-stage meta-analytical method was used to estimate the global mortality burden associated with cold spells by means of a time series dataset of 1960 locations across 59 countries (or regions). First, we fitted the location-specific, cold spell-related mortality associations using a quasi-Poisson regression with a distributed lag non-linear model with a lag period of up to 21 days. Second, we built a multivariate meta-regression model between location-specific associations and seven predictors. Finally, we predicted the global grid-specific cold spell-related mortality associations during 2000-19 using the fitted meta-regression model and the yearly grid-specific meta-predictors. We calculated the annual excess deaths, excess death ratio (excess deaths per 1000 deaths), and excess death rate (excess deaths per 100 000 population) due to cold spells for each grid across the world. FINDINGS Globally, 205 932 (95% empirical CI [eCI] 162 692-250 337) excess deaths, representing 3·81 (95% eCI 2·93-4·71) excess deaths per 1000 deaths (excess death ratio), and 3·03 (2·33-3·75) excess deaths per 100 000 population (excess death rate) were associated with cold spells per year between 2000 and 2019. The annual average global excess death ratio in 2016-19 increased by 0·12 percentage points and the excess death rate in 2016-19 increased by 0·18 percentage points, compared with those in 2000-03. The mortality burden varied geographically. The excess death ratio and rate were highest in Europe, whereas these indicators were lowest in Africa. Temperate climates had higher excess death ratio and rate associated with cold spells than other climate zones. INTERPRETATION Cold spells are associated with substantial mortality burden around the world with geographically varying patterns. Although the number of cold spells has on average been decreasing since year 2000, the public health threat of cold spells remains substantial. The findings indicate an urgency of taking local and regional measures to protect the public from the mortality burdens of cold spells. FUNDING Australian Research Council, Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, EU's Horizon 2020 Project Exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Gao
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Wenzhong Huang
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Qi Zhao
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Niilo Ryti
- Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ben Armstrong
- Department of Public Health Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Antonio Gasparrini
- Department of Public Health Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Centre for Statistical Methodology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Centre on Climate Change & Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Shilu Tong
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia; School of Public Health and Institute of Environment and Human Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Shanghai Children's Medical Centre, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mathilde Pascal
- Santé Publique France, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, French National Public Health Agency, Saint Maurice, France
| | - Aleš Urban
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic; Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ariana Zeka
- Institute for the Environment, Brunel University London, London, UK
| | - Eric Lavigne
- School of Epidemiology & Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ONT, Canada; Air Health Science Division, Health Canada, Ottawa, ONT, Canada
| | - Joana Madureira
- Department of Geography, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; EPIUnit-Instituto de Saude Publica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Veronika Huber
- The Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Bertil Forsberg
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Sweden
| | - Jan Kyselý
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic; Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Francesco Sera
- Department of Statistics, Computer Science and Applications "G Parenti", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Yuming Guo
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Shanshan Li
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
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5
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Abstract
We review current knowledge on the trends and drivers of global wildfire activity, advances in the measurement of wildfire smoke exposure, and evidence on the health effects of this exposure. We describe methodological issues in estimating the causal effects of wildfire smoke exposures on health and quantify their importance, emphasizing the role of nonlinear and lagged effects. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the health effects of wildfire smoke exposure, finding positive impacts on all-cause mortality and respiratory hospitalizations but less consistent evidence on cardiovascular morbidity. We conclude by highlighting priority areas for future research, including leveraging recently developed spatially and temporally resolved wildfire-specific ambient air pollution data to improve estimates of the health effects of wildfire smoke exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos F Gould
- Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA; ,
| | - Sam Heft-Neal
- Center on Food Security and the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA;
| | - Mary Johnson
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; ,
| | - Juan Aguilera
- Center for Community Health Impact, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, El Paso, Texas, USA;
| | - Marshall Burke
- Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA; ,
- Center on Food Security and the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA;
- National Bureau of Economic Research, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kari Nadeau
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; ,
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Chen D, Billmire M, Loughner CP, Bredder A, French NHF, Kim HC, Loboda TV. Simulating spatio-temporal dynamics of surface PM 2.5 emitted from Alaskan wildfires. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 898:165594. [PMID: 37467978 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Wildfire is a major disturbance agent in Arctic boreal and tundra ecosystems that emits large quantities of atmospheric pollutants, including PM2.5. Under the substantial Arctic warming which is two to three times of global average, wildfire regimes in the high northern latitude regions are expected to intensify. This imposes a considerable threat to the health of the people residing in the Arctic regions. Alaska, as the northernmost state of the US, has a sizable rural population whose access to healthcare is greatly limited by a lack of transportation and telecommunication infrastructure and low accessibility. Unfortunately, there are only a few air quality monitoring stations across the state of Alaska, and the air quality of most remote Alaskan communities is not being systematically monitored, which hinders our understanding of the relationship between wildfire emissions and human health within these communities. Models simulating the dispersion of pollutants emitted by wildfires can be extremely valuable for providing spatially comprehensive air quality estimates in areas such as Alaska where the monitoring station network is sparse. In this study, we established a methodological framework that is based on an integration of the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model, the Wildland Fire Emissions Inventory System (WFEIS), and the Arctic-Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE) Wildfire Date of Burning (WDoB) dataset, an Arctic-oriented fire product. Through our framework, daily gridded surface-level PM2.5 concentrations for the entire state of Alaska between 2001 and 2015 for which wildfires are responsible can be estimated. This product reveals the spatio-temporal patterns of the impacts of wildfires on the regional air quality in Alaska, which, in turn, offers a direct line of evidence indicating that wildfire is the dominant driver of PM2.5 concentrations over Alaska during the fire season. Additionally, it provides critical data inputs for research on understanding how wildfires affect human health which creates the basis for the development of effective and efficient mitigation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Chen
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
| | - Michael Billmire
- Michigan Tech Research Institute, Michigan Technological University, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Christopher P Loughner
- Air Resources Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, College Park, MD, USA.
| | - Allison Bredder
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
| | - Nancy H F French
- Michigan Tech Research Institute, Michigan Technological University, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Hyun Cheol Kim
- Air Resources Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, College Park, MD, USA; Cooperative Institute for Satellite Earth System Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
| | - Tatiana V Loboda
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
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7
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Barros B, Oliveira M, Morais S. Continent-based systematic review of the short-term health impacts of wildfire emissions. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2023; 26:387-415. [PMID: 37469022 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2023.2236548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
This review systematically gathers and provides an analysis of pollutants levels emitted from wildfire (WF) and their impact on short-term health effects of affected populations. The available literature was searched according to Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcome, and Study design (PECOS) database defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and a meta-analysis was conducted whenever possible. Data obtained through PECOS characterized information from the USA, Europe, Australia, and some Asian countries; South American countries were seldom characterized, and no data were available for Africa and Russia. Extremely high levels of pollutants, mostly of fine fraction of particulate matter (PM) and ozone, were associated with intense WF emissions in North America, Oceania, and Asia and reported to exceed several-fold the WHO guidelines. Adverse health outcomes include emergency department visits and hospital admissions for cardiorespiratory diseases as well as mortality. Despite the heterogeneity among exposure and health assessment methods, all-cause mortality, and specific-cause mortality were significantly associated with WF emissions in most of the reports. Globally, a significant association was found for all-cause respiratory outcomes including asthma, but mixed results were noted for cardiovascular-related effects. For the latter, estimates were only significant several days after WF emissions, suggesting a more delayed impact on the heart. Different research gaps are presented, including the need for the application of standardized protocols for assessment of both exposure and adverse health risks. Mitigation actions also need to be strengthened, including dedicated efforts to communicate with the affected populations, to engage them for adoption of protective behaviors and measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bela Barros
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia Do Porto, Instituto Politécnico Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta Oliveira
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia Do Porto, Instituto Politécnico Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Simone Morais
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia Do Porto, Instituto Politécnico Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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8
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Heft-Neal S, Gould CF, Childs ML, Kiang MV, Nadeau KC, Duggan M, Bendavid E, Burke M. Emergency department visits respond nonlinearly to wildfire smoke. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2302409120. [PMID: 37722035 PMCID: PMC10523589 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2302409120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Air pollution negatively affects a range of health outcomes. Wildfire smoke is an increasingly important contributor to air pollution, yet wildfire smoke events are highly salient and could induce behavioral responses that alter health impacts. We combine geolocated data covering all emergency department (ED) visits to nonfederal hospitals in California from 2006 to 2017 with spatially resolved estimates of daily wildfire smoke PM[Formula: see text] concentrations and quantify how smoke events affect ED visits. Total ED visits respond nonlinearly to smoke concentrations. Relative to a day with no smoke, total visits increase by 1 to 1.5% in the week following low or moderate smoke days but decline by 6 to 9% following extreme smoke days. Reductions persist for at least a month. Declines at extreme levels are driven by diagnoses not thought to be acutely impacted by pollution, including accidental injuries and several nonurgent symptoms, and declines come disproportionately from less-insured populations. In contrast, health outcomes with the strongest physiological link to short-term air pollution increase dramatically in the week following an extreme smoke day: We estimate that ED visits for asthma, COPD, and cough all increase by 30 to 110%. Data from internet searches, vehicle traffic sensors, and park visits indicate behavioral changes on high smoke days consistent with declines in healthcare utilization. Because low and moderate smoke days vastly outweigh high smoke days, we estimate that smoke was responsible for an average of 3,010 (95% CI: 1,760-4,380) additional ED visits per year 2006 to 2017. Given the increasing intensity of wildfire smoke events, behavioral mediation is likely to play a growing role in determining total smoke impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Heft-Neal
- Center on Food Security and the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Carlos F. Gould
- Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | | | - Mathew V. Kiang
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Kari C. Nadeau
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
| | - Mark Duggan
- Department of Economics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Stanford Institute of Economic Policy Research, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA02138
| | - Eran Bendavid
- Department of Health Policy, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Marshall Burke
- Center on Food Security and the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA02138
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9
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Vuorio A, Budowle B, Raal F, Kovanen PT. Wildfire smoke exposure and cardiovascular disease-should statins be recommended to prevent cardiovascular events? Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1259162. [PMID: 37781301 PMCID: PMC10537918 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1259162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alpo Vuorio
- Mehiläinen, Airport Health Center, Vantaa, Finland
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Bruce Budowle
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Frederick Raal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Petri T. Kovanen
- Cardiovascular Research, Wihuri Research Institute, Helsinki, Finland
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10
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Noah TL, Worden CP, Rebuli ME, Jaspers I. The Effects of Wildfire Smoke on Asthma and Allergy. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2023; 23:375-387. [PMID: 37171670 PMCID: PMC10176314 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-023-01090-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review the recent literature on the effects of wildfire smoke (WFS) exposure on asthma and allergic disease, and on potential mechanisms of disease. RECENT FINDINGS Spatiotemporal modeling and increased ground-level monitoring data are allowing a more detailed picture of the health effects of WFS exposure to emerge, especially with regard to asthma. There is also epidemiologic and some experimental evidence to suggest that WFS exposure increases allergic predisposition and upper airway or sinonasal disease, though much of the literature in this area is focused more generally on PM2.5 and is not specific for WFS. Experimental evidence for mechanisms includes disruption of epithelial integrity with downstream effects on inflammatory or immune pathways, but experimental models to date have not consistently reflected human disease in this area. Exposure to WFS has an acute detrimental effect on asthma. Potential mechanisms are suggested by in vitro and animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry L Noah
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 260 Macnider Building, 333 S. Columbia St., Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA.
| | - Cameron P Worden
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Meghan E Rebuli
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 260 Macnider Building, 333 S. Columbia St., Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Ilona Jaspers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 260 Macnider Building, 333 S. Columbia St., Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
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11
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Doubleday A, Sheppard L, Austin E, Busch Isaksen T. Wildfire smoke exposure and emergency department visits in Washington State. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, HEALTH : ERH 2023; 1:025006. [PMID: 37252333 PMCID: PMC10213826 DOI: 10.1088/2752-5309/acd3a1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires are increasing in prevalence in western North America due to changing climate conditions. A growing number of studies examine the impact of wildfire smoke on morbidity; however, few evaluate these impacts using syndromic surveillance data that cover many emergency departments (EDs). We used syndromic surveillance data to explore the effect of wildfire smoke exposure on all-cause respiratory and cardiovascular ED visits in Washington state. Using a time-stratified case crossover design, we observed an increased odds of asthma visits immediately after and in all five days following initial exposure (lag 0 OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.17; lag 1-5 ORs all 1.05 or greater with a lower CI of 1.02 or higher), and an increased odds of respiratory visits in all five days following initial exposure (lag 1 OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.03; lag 2-5 ORs and lower CIs were all at least as large) comparing wildfire smoke to non-wildfire smoke days. We observed mixed results for cardiovascular visits, with evidence of increased odds emerging only several days following initial exposure. We also found increased odds across all visit categories for a 10 μg m-3 increase in smoke-impacted PM2.5. In stratified analyses, we observed elevated odds for respiratory visits among ages 19-64, for asthma visits among ages 5-64, and mixed risk estimates for cardiovascular visits by age group. This study provides evidence of an increased risk of respiratory ED visits immediately following initial wildfire smoke exposure, and increased risk of cardiovascular ED visits several days following initial exposure. These increased risks are seen particularly among children and younger to middle-aged adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Doubleday
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Lianne Sheppard
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Elena Austin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Tania Busch Isaksen
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
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Hahn MB, Kuiper G, Magzamen S. Association of Temperature Thresholds with Heat Illness- and Cardiorespiratory-Related Emergency Visits during Summer Months in Alaska. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:57009. [PMID: 37224069 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent record-breaking hot temperatures in Alaska have raised concerns about the potential human health implications of heat exposure among this unacclimated population. OBJECTIVES We estimated cardiorespiratory morbidity associated with days above summer (June-August) heat index (HI, apparent temperature) thresholds in three major population centers (Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley) for the years 2015-2019. METHODS We implemented time-stratified case-crossover analyses of emergency department (ED) visits for International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes indicative of heat illness and major cardiorespiratory diagnostic codes using data from the Alaska Health Facilities Data Reporting Program. Using conditional logistic regression models, we tested maximum hourly HI temperature thresholds between 21.1°C (70°F) and 30°C (86°F) for a single day, 2 consecutive days, and the absolute number of previous consecutive days above the threshold, adjusting for the daily average concentration of particulate matter ≤2.5μg. RESULTS There were increased odds of ED visits for heat illness above a HI threshold as low as 21.1°C (70°F) [odds ratio (OR)=13.84; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.05, 47.29], and this increased risk continued for up to 4 d (OR=2.43; 95% CI: 1.15, 5.10). Asthma and pneumonia were the only respiratory outcomes positively associated with the HI: ED visits for both were highest the day after a heat event (Asthma: HI>27°C(80°F) OR=1.18; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.39; Pneumonia: HI>28°C(82°F) OR=1.40; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.84). There was a decreased odds of bronchitis-related ED visits when the HI was above thresholds of 21.1-28°C (70-82°F) across all lag days. We found stronger effects for ischemia and myocardial infarction (MI) than for respiratory outcomes. Multiple days of warm weather were associated with an increased risk of health impacts. For each additional preceding day above a HI of 22°C (72°F), the odds of ED visits related to ischemia increased 6% (95% CI: 1%, 12%); for each additional preceding day above a HI of 21.1°C (70°F), the odds of ED visits related to MI increased 7% (95% CI: 1%, 14%). DISCUSSION This study demonstrates the importance of planning for extreme heat events and developing local guidance for heat warnings, even in areas with historically mild summertime climates. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11363.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micah B Hahn
- Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
| | - Grace Kuiper
- Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Sheryl Magzamen
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
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Romanov AA, Tamarovskaya AN, Gusev BA, Leonenko EV, Vasiliev AS, Krikunov EE. Catastrophic PM 2.5 emissions from Siberian forest fires: Impacting factors analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 306:119324. [PMID: 35513193 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
With increased forest fires due to climate change, PM2.5 emissions also intensified. Record PM2.5 emissions according to Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service in Russia amounted to 8 megatons (Mt) in 2021, which is 78% higher than the average level of 2004-2021 (4.5 Mt). Seven federal subjects (the constituent entities) with vast forest areas without fire protection produced 86% of emissions (6.8 Mt) in 2021, the major losses (6.1 Mt) in Yakutia (Sakha Republic). The ambient temperature in Eastern Siberia is increasing, especially in months of winter and spring seasons (up to +3.6 °C) in 1990-2020 compared to 1901-2020 (CEDA Archive); climate change has affected meteorological conditions leading to increased forest fires. The results of the SARIMAX model study for PM2.5 emissions considering meteorological factors using ERA5 and burnt forest area using MODIS (MCD64A1), establishing a significant dependence of PM2.5 emissions on the lack of precipitation and the associated parameters of complete and potential evaporation. This influence long before the fire season (up to 9 months), as it affects the snow cover and the dryness of the fuel by the beginning of forest fires. In turn, high PM2.5 emission values are accompanied by a drop in 2 m air temperature and surface solar radiation downwards due to the aerosol saturation with suspended particles. The average COR for seven federal subjects was 0.79, with the highest forecast result in Yakutia (0.95), indicating the maximum propensity for record emissions due to weather conditions. In combination with forest management without fire protection, meteorological parameters have caused an increase in PM2.5 emissions in recent years in Siberia. The forest needs other ways to manage under the pressures of climate change to reduce environmental pollution associated with PM2.5 emissions from vast Siberian fires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksey A Romanov
- Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia; A2 Research & Development Lab, Soissons, France.
| | - Anastasia N Tamarovskaya
- Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia; A2 Research & Development Lab, Soissons, France
| | - Boris A Gusev
- Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia; A2 Research & Development Lab, Soissons, France
| | | | | | - Elijah E Krikunov
- Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia; A2 Research & Development Lab, Soissons, France
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Berberian AG, Gonzalez DJX, Cushing LJ. Racial Disparities in Climate Change-Related Health Effects in the United States. Curr Environ Health Rep 2022; 9:451-464. [PMID: 35633370 PMCID: PMC9363288 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00360-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Climate change is causing warming over most parts of the USA and more extreme weather events. The health impacts of these changes are not experienced equally. We synthesize the recent evidence that climatic changes linked to global warming are having a disparate impact on the health of people of color, including children. RECENT FINDINGS Multiple studies of heat, extreme cold, hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires find evidence that people of color, including Black, Latinx, Native American, Pacific Islander, and Asian communities are at higher risk of climate-related health impacts than Whites, although this is not always the case. Studies of adults have found evidence of racial disparities related to climatic changes with respect to mortality, respiratory and cardiovascular disease, mental health, and heat-related illness. Children are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change, and infants and children of color have experienced adverse perinatal outcomes, occupational heat stress, and increases in emergency department visits associated with extreme weather. The evidence strongly suggests climate change is an environmental injustice that is likely to exacerbate existing racial disparities across a broad range of health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alique G Berberian
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, 71-259 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - David J X Gonzalez
- School of Public Health and Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Lara J Cushing
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, 71-259 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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Peterson JR, Howell BM, Hahn MB. Utilizing the "One Health" Model to Study Human Aging in Urban Environments. Gerontol Geriatr Med 2022; 8:23337214221116946. [PMID: 36046575 PMCID: PMC9421012 DOI: 10.1177/23337214221116946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The "One Health" concept has resulted in a rich research literature that integrates human and animal systems, with a focus on zoonotic diseases; however, this narrow focus is at the expense of one of the leading causes of global human mortality: non-infectious, chronic diseases. Here, we provide a viewpoint that applying the integrated One Health framework to public health issues such as the impact of stressful urban environments on the process of human aging has the potential to elucidate potential causal mechanisms that have previously gone unnoticed. Given the success of the One Health paradigm in studying human health in rural areas, we posit that this model would be a useful tool for studying human, animal, and environmental interactions in urban settings.
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