LA wildfires: How can wildfire smoke affect your health?

Wildfires are becoming more frequent, extreme and destructive in the United States, especially in western states like California.

A devastating fire is currently sweeping through Los Angeles County, having started on Jan. 7. Firefighters are still working to halt the spread of colossal wildfires that, as of Jan. 16, have swept through almost 40,000 acres (16,000 hectares), claiming at least 25 people’s lives.

California has been contending with longer and more active fire seasons in recent years — in 2023, more than 7,000 wildfires occurred in the state, with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection having to respond to approximately 590,000 associated emergencies. Major wildfires leave a trail of destruction in their wake, putting people’s lives at risk and forcing them to quickly evacuate their homes and businesses. Climate change is a major factor worsening these disasters, and it’s expected to continue to worsen the situation in coming years.

One major health risk posed by wildfires is the smoke they let off. Wildfire smoke can have many harmful effects on the body, including on the lungs, heart and brain. Thankfully, there are certain measures that people can take to protect themselves, experts told Live Science.

Related: What’s in the pink fire retardant being dropped on LA, and is it dangerous?

How does wildfire smoke affect the body?

Wildfire smoke contains a multitude of different chemicals that form as things burn, Sara Adar, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan, told Live Science.

Among the most concerning substances are tiny particles collectively known as particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5). These particles are less than 2.5 micrometers in size — roughly 28 times smaller than the width of a human hair — and they can become trapped in the inner linings of the nose, mouth and eyes.

In the short term, this triggers irritation and other symptoms, such as burning eyes, a runny nose or cough, which can set in immediately after exposure. People with skin conditions like eczema may also be more likely to experience flare-ups of their condition as a result of short-term exposure to PM2.5 during a wildfire.

On longer scales, these particles are small enough to be inhaled into the lungs and cause additional harm to the body, especially as they are absorbed into the bloodstream. For example, they may trigger inflammation that aggravates respiratory conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This may occur right away or within a day or two of exposure to wildfire smoke, Dr. Stephanie Lovinsky-Desir, an assistant professor of pediatrics in environmental health sciences at Columbia University in New York, told Live Science.

People with these respiratory conditions may find it harder to breathe because of high levels of exposure to PM2.5 and in urgent cases, need to go to the hospital, Adar said. Studies have shown that PM2.5 can also irritate the heart via the bloodstream, leading to an increased risk of emergency department visits for heart attacks and coronary heart disease within 24 hours of exposure to dense wildfire smoke.

PM2.5 may also affect various aspects of cognition, such as memory, attention and learning, potentially by inducing inflammation in the central nervous system and impeding communication between neurons.

Research has also shown that long-term exposure to wildfire smoke — namely over a period of three years — is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. In addition, more than two weeks of exposure to heavy smoke may make people more likely to report various mental health symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, according to a study of wildfires in Oregon.

How can people protect themselves from wildfire smoke?

The first thing that people can do to protect themselves from wildfire smoke is to avoid exposure to it as much as possible, Lovinsky-Desir said.

That means leaving the area if you’re in an evacuation zone, staying indoors as much as possible with the windows closed, and if you’re travelling in a car, keeping your windows up, she explained. Running air purifiers, such as those with filters that can handle fine particles, inside the home can also be helpful, she said. If you don’t have a filter, standard air conditioning can also help, she added.

People who have underlying lung disease or care for people who do should ensure that they have the necessary medications on hand to avoid being stranded without them in an emergency, Lovinsky-Desir said.

If you wish to exercise on days where air pollution levels are high, it may be better to do so indoors, such as at a gym, Adar said. And if you must be outside for any reason, wearing a face mask can help mitigate the risk of health impacts from pollutant exposure, she added. N95 respirators can reduce PM2.5 exposure if used correctly, for example. A key thing is to have the mask snugly fitted against your face; the California Department of Health provides tips on how to do that.

Emily is a health news writer based in London, United Kingdom. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Durham University and a master’s degree in clinical and therapeutic neuroscience from Oxford University. She has worked in science communication, medical writing and as a local news reporter while undertaking NCTJ journalism training with News Associates. In 2018, she was named one of MHP Communications’ 30 journalists to watch under 30. (em*********@*******et.com)