As wildfires become more frequent and severe in Canada, it is important that people understand the health risks posed by wildfire smoke. CMJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) is intended to inform Canadian clinicians and the public as wildfire season approaches.
“As wildfires become more frequent and severe due to climate change, wildfire smoke will become a bigger health issue,” says Dr. Mehdi Alloush, an assistant professor of health research methods, evidence and impacts at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and medical officer of health for Windsor-Essex County, Ontario.
“Communities need to be aware and prepare to mitigate the harmful health effects of wildfire smoke, and health workers have a critical role to play in this effort.”
- Exposure to wildfire smoke is known to have adverse health effects, including respiratory diseases such as asthma and heart disease.
- Wildfire smoke is more toxic than other types of air pollution. The fine particles in wildfire smoke can travel over 1,000 km and enter the body, generating free radicals that can cause inflammation in the body’s organs.
- The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a useful tool to communicate risk from wildfire smoke. The AQHI scale measures air quality on a scale of 1 to 10. Levels above 7 indicate that people at risk, including those with respiratory or chronic illnesses, older adults, pregnant women, and children, should minimize time spent engaged in strenuous outdoor activity.
- Healthcare providers can help people understand their health risks. Clinicians should discuss with at-risk patients the risks of wildfire smoke, the usefulness of the AQHI, and the value of indoor air filtration, and ensure that patients with respiratory illnesses have up-to-date action plans and adequate supplies of medications.
- Reducing exposure reduces health risks: staying indoors, using a high-efficiency particulate air purifier, and wearing a tight-fitting N95 or KN95 mask when outdoors can reduce exposure to particulates by more than 90%.
For more information:
Wildfire smoke, Canadian Medical Association Journal (2024). DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.240135. www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.240135
Courtesy of the Canadian Medical Association Journal
Quote: Understanding Wildfire Smoke and Health Risks (June 17, 2024) Retrieved June 17, 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-06-wildfire-health.html
This document is subject to copyright. It may not be reproduced without written permission, except for fair dealing for the purposes of personal study or research. The content is provided for informational purposes only.