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Study shows link between long-term exposure to wildfire related air pollutants and mortality

July 28, 2023, Canada – Researchers have found a correlation between long-term exposure to wildfire related air pollutants and mortality.

A recent study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials stated that long-term exposure to wildfire related fine particulate matter increased the risks of all-cause, non-accidental, and abnormal growth mortality, such as carcinoma.

Fine particulate matter are tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and cause the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated.

Evidence suggested that exposure to those air pollutants had long-term adverse impacts on neoplasm mortality.

There were no significant changes dependent on the person’s age, sex, ethnicity, education, current employment status, smoking status, alcohol drinking status, income, body mass index, and socioeconomic tolerable daily intake on long-term wildfire related air pollutants for exposure and all-cause mortality.

Those findings are consistent with a previous study that found long-term exposure to wildfire related fine particulate matter was associated with cancer mortality.

The study states that reducing the risk of premature mortality from fine particulate matter exposure would require the adoption of targeted health protection strategies.

Researchers also said females and adults over 60 are more vulnerable to mortality from short-term exposure to wildfire related fine particulate matter.

The data comes from the UK Biobank cohort, and researchers concluded more studies are needed.