Wildfire impact on air quality and health (2024)

FAQs

Wildfire impact on air quality and health? ›

These microscopic particles can get into your eyes and respiratory system, where they can cause health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose, and illnesses such as bronchitis. Fine particles also can aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases - and even are linked to premature deaths in people with these conditions.

The intense heat generated by wildfires can cause the release of pollutants from the soil, such as mercury and other heavy metals. These pollutants can then be transported through the air and deposited in other areas, leading to environmental contamination.

They spread air pollution not only nearby, but thousands of miles away—causing breathing difficulties in even healthy individuals, not to mention children, older adults and those with heart disease, diabetes, asthma, COPD and other lung diseases. Take wildfire threats seriously and be prepared.

Fine particles from smoke (fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5) can travel deeply into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs. Inhaling fine particles can cause a variety of health effects, like respiratory irritation and shortness of breath. It can also worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease.

Wildfire smoke is known for producing and spreading high levels of harmful fine particulates, but it may also be creating carcinogenic soil and ash, according to new research.

Why does the wildfire smoke sometimes smell like burning plastic? When trees, branches and leaves are burned in wildfires, they emit gases. Some of the molecules in the gases might be causing the smell, an expert said.

Fire effluents in the air

The species that are lofted by the plume will be fairly light. The main hazard of these gases are the toxicity of the contents and the susceptibility of the receptors. (USDA, 2002) For example wildfires often will emit particulates that consist of soot and smoke particles.

For many people, the symptoms of inhaling particulate matter are similar to what someone with allergies experiences: stinging eyes, scratchy throat, runny nose, coughing, sinus irritation, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Breathing in smoke can also cause headaches, fatigue, and a fast heartbeat.

Most pollutants in our air come from cars, trucks, and other vehicles, but air can also be contaminated by factories, other businesses, and even the furniture inside our homes. Air quality also worsens with climate change through hotter weather, drought, and wildfires.

Air pollution is a risk for all-cause mortality as well as specific diseases. The specific disease outcomes most strongly linked with exposure to air pollution include stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, pneumonia, and cataract (household air pollution only).

Is wildfire smoke worse than smoking cigarettes? ›

In fact, Nadeau estimates an AQI of 150 is equivalent to smoking an estimated seven cigarettes a day for someone spending the majority of their time outdoors. "We try to do the cigarette equivalent, but most likely the wildfire smoke is much more toxic than a cigarette," Nadeau said.

"People with allergies and asthma often have chronically inflamed airways, which makes them very sensitive to irritants like smoke," says Dr. Suzanne Cassel, an allergist-immunologist. "They may experience worsening of their allergic symptoms or develop an asthma attack even to low levels of environmental smoke."

In conclusion, acute exposure to air pollution from forest fire smoke elicits inflammation within the lungs, as well as a systemic inflammatory response.

If outdoors, sensitive groups should keep activities light and avoid activities over 2 hours. Consider moving practices and events indoors. If events are not cancelled, increase rest periods to allow for lower breathing rates. Everyone should remain indoors as much as possible.

The risk of wildfires grows in extremely dry conditions, such as drought, heat waves and during high winds. Wildfire smoke is a mixture of hazardous air pollutants, such PM_2.5, NO₂, ozone, aromatic hydrocarbons, or lead.

Odour control fire damage

These pollutants pose a health risk to the occupants and the tradesmen involved in the renovation, which is why neutralising the smell of burning after a fire damage should be a top priority.

So, fire aerosols have a mixed effect. They can cool the atmosphere at high altitudes, or warm the air — and even melt ice — at Earth's surface.

Most periods of critical fire weather occur in transition zones between high- and low-pressure systems, both at the surface and in the upper air. The surface pressure patterns of most concern are those associated with cold fronts and terrain-induced foehn winds.

Wildfires produce harmful complex mixtures of air pollutants, including particulate matter, toxic air contaminants, and carbon monoxide (CO).

Smoke also impacts weather, not just air quality. While the path of smoke is highly dependent on the weather, the smoke itself can also change the weather. For example, tiny particles called aerosols that are lofted into the atmosphere as a fire burns can affect cloud formation and precipitation.