Wildfire smoke, which is becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, attacks nearly every system in the human body, killing tens of thousands of people a year, numerous medical studies show. The smoke causes inflammation by triggering the body’s immune system to go into overtime to fight the irritant, harming the brain, skin, and men’s sperm, with almost no system of the body spared.
Health Risks
Smoke from wildfires can spike asthma cases, swamp emergency rooms with people suffering from heart attacks and other cardiovascular and lung issues, as well as mental health issues, doctors and scientists say. It also harms pregnant women, increasing the risk of premature births and low-weight babies who could have breathing problems the rest of their lives.
Long-term exposure to tiny particles from wildfire smoke can cause some cancers and dementia. On average, 24,100 people died each year in the Lower 48 states between 2006 and 2020 due to long-term exposure to these particles, according to a study in the journal Science Advances.
Minimizing Risks
Experts suggest people wear high-quality masks when outdoors and find a place with clean air to get a break from the smoke. They also recommend checking windows and doors for seals, investing in a good ventilation system, and checking air filters.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
