A new study suggests that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke may increase the risk of developing dementia more than exposure to other air pollution sources. Researchers analyzed data from over 1.2 million people in Southern California and found that a three-year average increase in wildfire PM2.5 concentration of just one microgram per cubic meter was associated with an 18% increase in dementia diagnosis odds, compared to a 3% increase from non-wildfire PM2.5.
Being exposed to wildfire smoke over a long period of time could increase the risk of developing dementia even more than exposure to other sources of air pollution, according to new research — a pressing concern as Canada’s wildfire season is only projected to get worse with time.A helicopter flies over a forest fire outside of Jasper, Alta., in July.
Smoke from wildfires blankets Edmonton as a couple has a picnic in May. Experts say that to avoid the health risks of long-term exposure to wildfire smoke, try to avoid going outdoors when air quality is poor and wear a mask outside. When the body encounters foreign particles, it mounts a response, sending the lungs into a "heightened state of inflammation" that can spill over into other organs through inflammatory cells in the bloodstream, said Michael Brauer, a professor at the school of population and public health at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
But last week's study found that the connection between long-term exposure to wildfire smoke and dementia was stronger for those living in high-poverty areas — where people may not be able to afford air filters, access air quality warnings or stay home from work to avoid being outdoors on bad smoke days."For a fraction of the cost that it takes to treat somebody in emergency room, you pay for a portable air cleaner in their home, or we outfit every school with the air filtration....
DEMTENCIA AIR POLLUTION WILDFIRES PARTICULATE MATTER HEALTH RISKS
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