A recent study published in the journal Science Advances investigated the long-term mortality effects of particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM 2.5 ) exposure from wildfire smoke in California between 2008 and 2018.
Climate change, the spread of the wildland-urban interface, and dubious management methods have all increased the likelihood and intensity of wildfires in the western regions of the United States (US). The prolonging of California's annual wildfire season resulted in significant environmental, health, and economic devastation. Wildfire smoke contributes to PM 2.
5 pollution, accounting for 25% to 50% of US PM2.5 levels. Since 2016, progress in reducing PM2.
5 levels has slowed or reversed in most states. As climate change accelerates aridification, wildfire management becomes increasingly crucial. Study: Mortality attributable to PM 2.
5 from wildland fires in California from 2008 to 2018 . Image Credit: My Photo Buddy / Shutterstock In the present study, researchers analyzed the health effect of modeled wildland fire PM2.5 estimations at the 12-km grid size from 2008 to 2018, calculating related premature mortality using chronic dose-response values for wildfire exposure.
The analysis characterizes the state's mortality impacts over 11 years, using chronic dose-response values for wildfire-specific PM 2.5 exposure, and combines California Department of Public Health (CDPH) mortality data with a Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) capable of isolating wildfire-related.