New York, Jan 11 (NationPress) Individuals who lack sufficient access to air conditioning may be at an increased risk of requiring emergency care for health complications following exposure to wildfire smoke, as revealed by a recent study conducted by the Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) in the United States, amidst the ongoing severe wildfires in Los Angeles County.
The research advocates for US policies to focus on equity and education about protective measures individuals can implement to safeguard against the hazardous pollutants present in wildfire smoke.
Published online prior to its appearance in the journal Environmental Research: Health, the study indicates that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) resulting from wildfire smoke in California correlates with an increase in emergency department visits for various health issues, including non-accidental causes and respiratory diseases.
This risk exhibited variations based on age and race, with particularly elevated risks noted among those residing in regions with limited air conditioning availability.
“Depending on the type of system and filter utilized, air conditioning may alter the effects of smoke exposure on health,” stated the lead author of the study, Dr. Jennifer Stowell, a research scientist specializing in climate and health at BUSPH.
“California exemplifies this issue perfectly, given its larger fires and extended fire seasons. A crucial next step is to determine better methods for assessing access to air conditioning,” Dr. Stowell further commented.
The timing of these findings is significant as firefighters in Southern California persist in combating numerous wildfires that have been raging in and around Los Angeles County since Tuesday (January 7), including the Palisades fire, which is projected to be the largest and most devastating wildfire in the county’s history.
Health professionals are advising residents who are not under evacuation orders and can safely remain at home to activate their air conditioners and/or air purifiers if available.
Despite these recommendations, there has been minimal research investigating how the health impacts of wildfire smoke exposure differ based on an individual’s access to air conditioning.
In their study, Dr. Stowell and her colleagues from BUSPH, the Boston University College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), and the Health Effects Institute leveraged a nationwide dataset of healthcare claims to analyze over 50,000 emergency department visits during the California wildfire seasons from 2012 to 2019, which spanned from May to November annually.
Individuals living in areas with less air conditioning availability exhibited a 22 percent heightened risk of visiting the emergency department for respiratory ailments linked to wildfire smoke exposure.
The study underscores the necessity for enhanced policy measures aimed at mitigating the health risks associated with wildfire smoke exposure.
