Thousands in U.S. Killed by Climate-Driven Wildfire Smoke Over 15 Years
A new study reveals that wildfires exacerbated by climate change are responsible for thousands of deaths each year and result in billions of dollars in economic losses due to wildfire smoke in the United States.
TroibNews 
Wildfires fueled by climate change result in thousands of deaths each year and incur substantial economic costs due to wildfire smoke in the United States, a recent study reveals.
Published on May 2 in the journal Nature Communications Earth & Environment, the research indicates that between 2006 and 2020, climate change was responsible for approximately 15,000 deaths related to exposure to fine particulate matter from wildfires, totaling about $160 billion in costs. The study estimates annual deaths in a range from 130 to 5,100, with the highest figures observed in states like Oregon and California.
The researchers concentrated on fatalities associated with fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, which is primarily emitted by wildfire smoke.
These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing immediate symptoms like coughing and itchy eyes. Over time, they can exacerbate existing health conditions and lead to various chronic and fatal health problems. Certain groups, including children, pregnant individuals, the elderly, and outdoor workers, are particularly at risk. The Health Effects Institute has estimated that this pollutant is responsible for 4 million deaths globally.
Emerging evidence suggests that PM2.5 from wildfire smoke is more hazardous than particulate matter from other pollution sources. When wildfires extend into urban areas, incinerating cars and other materials containing toxic substances, the risks to health increase further.
Numerous studies have linked human-induced climate change, primarily resulting from the combustion of coal, oil, and gas, to an uptick in fire activity across North America. Climate change is leading to increased drought conditions, particularly in the West, alongside other extreme weather events. Drier conditions sap moisture from vegetation, creating additional fuel for wildfires. The combination of drier vegetation and hotter temperatures amplifies the frequency, size, and severity of wildfires and the smoke produced.
To arrive at their conclusions, the study's authors utilized both modeled and existing data. First, they aimed to determine how much of the area affected by wildfires was due to climate change. This involved analyzing actual climate conditions—such as temperature and precipitation—during wildfire outbreaks from 2006 to 2020, and comparing these to a hypothetical scenario without the influence of climate change.
Next, they estimated the PM2.5 levels from wildfire smoke that could be attributed to climate change through a similar methodology. Finally, by integrating current research on the health impacts of particulate matter, they calculated the number of deaths associated with PM2.5 exposure from wildfires and assessed the economic repercussions.
This analysis revealed that out of 164,000 deaths related to wildfire PM2.5 exposure between 2006 and 2020, 10 percent could be attributed to climate change, with some western states and counties experiencing mortality rates 30 to 50 percent higher.
The study concludes that without a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, the issue of deaths related to wildfire smoke is likely to intensify.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
Published on May 2 in the journal Nature Communications Earth & Environment, the research indicates that between 2006 and 2020, climate change was responsible for approximately 15,000 deaths related to exposure to fine particulate matter from wildfires, totaling about $160 billion in costs. The study estimates annual deaths in a range from 130 to 5,100, with the highest figures observed in states like Oregon and California.
The researchers concentrated on fatalities associated with fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, which is primarily emitted by wildfire smoke.
These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing immediate symptoms like coughing and itchy eyes. Over time, they can exacerbate existing health conditions and lead to various chronic and fatal health problems. Certain groups, including children, pregnant individuals, the elderly, and outdoor workers, are particularly at risk. The Health Effects Institute has estimated that this pollutant is responsible for 4 million deaths globally.
Emerging evidence suggests that PM2.5 from wildfire smoke is more hazardous than particulate matter from other pollution sources. When wildfires extend into urban areas, incinerating cars and other materials containing toxic substances, the risks to health increase further.
Numerous studies have linked human-induced climate change, primarily resulting from the combustion of coal, oil, and gas, to an uptick in fire activity across North America. Climate change is leading to increased drought conditions, particularly in the West, alongside other extreme weather events. Drier conditions sap moisture from vegetation, creating additional fuel for wildfires. The combination of drier vegetation and hotter temperatures amplifies the frequency, size, and severity of wildfires and the smoke produced.
To arrive at their conclusions, the study's authors utilized both modeled and existing data. First, they aimed to determine how much of the area affected by wildfires was due to climate change. This involved analyzing actual climate conditions—such as temperature and precipitation—during wildfire outbreaks from 2006 to 2020, and comparing these to a hypothetical scenario without the influence of climate change.
Next, they estimated the PM2.5 levels from wildfire smoke that could be attributed to climate change through a similar methodology. Finally, by integrating current research on the health impacts of particulate matter, they calculated the number of deaths associated with PM2.5 exposure from wildfires and assessed the economic repercussions.
This analysis revealed that out of 164,000 deaths related to wildfire PM2.5 exposure between 2006 and 2020, 10 percent could be attributed to climate change, with some western states and counties experiencing mortality rates 30 to 50 percent higher.
The study concludes that without a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, the issue of deaths related to wildfire smoke is likely to intensify.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
Find more stories on the environment and climate change on TROIB/Planet Health
