Smoke from a massive 2018 California wildfire worsened asthma symptoms among Latino youths, per a new study.
Wildfires have become more frequent and extreme worldwide due to climate change.
Researchers have found that wildfire smoke and carbon dioxide can damage the lungs, contribute to cardiovascular issues and trigger strokes.
That compounds adverse health effects that many communities in the U.S., especially of color, already experience from air pollution.
To study the effects of the Camp Fire — the deadliest and most destructive in modern California history — researchers used map data from platform Komodo Health and analyzed health outcomes and hospital visits from 1.6 million pediatric asthma patients in the San Francisco Bay area.
They found rates of asthma exacerbation, such as worse coughing or more shortness of breath, almost doubled among “Hispanic/Latino” kids in the 14 days after the fire started.
The rates increased 75% for Asian American and Pacific Islander children, 63% for Black children and 55% for white children.
Overall, the wildfires were linked to 76% more asthma exacerbations and 27% more emergency visits to a doctor from child asthmatics.
The researchers say the data points to how authorities could address the issue, including targeted distribution of protective equipment like masks and air filters, or investment in clean-air shelters.
“This data and analysis should be a wake-up call to state and local policymakers about the urgent need to address asthma and other health issues caused by wildfires and air pollution,” says Kenneth Mendez, CEO and president of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
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