Smoke-linked premature births, cancer and dementia risks documented
Wildfire smoke “attacks nearly every system in the human body,” the Associated Press reported Friday, citing a review of numerous medical studies and interviews with doctors and scientists. The review found that the smoke kills tens of thousands of people each year.
The findings underscore the growing health burden from wildfires that are becoming larger and more frequent as the climate warms. The health effects begin quickly: within hours of smoke exposure, ambulance runs for asthma cases spike, doctors told the AP. Within about a day, emergency rooms see surges in patients suffering from heart attacks, other cardiovascular and lung problems, and mental health issues.
Pregnant women face elevated risks of premature births and low-birth-weight babies who may develop lifelong breathing problems, according to the AP’s review of medical studies. Long-term exposure to wildfire smoke has been linked to some cancers and dementia, the AP reported.
The article was published Friday, as thick smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed large portions of the United States. MSI previously reported that the smoke created unhealthy air quality for millions.