On the stratospheric chemistry of midlatitude wildfire smoke.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Solomon S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8915979 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
On the stratospheric chemistry of midlatitude wildfire smoke.
Solomon Susan S Dube Kimberlee K Stone Kane K Yu Pengfei P Yu Pengfei P Kinnison Doug D Toon Owen B OB Strahan Susan E SE Rosenlof Karen H KH Portmann Robert R Davis Sean S Randel William W Bernath Peter P Boone Chris C Bardeen Charles G CG Bourassa Adam A Zawada Daniel D Degenstein Doug D
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20220301 10
SignificanceLarge wildfires have been observed to inject smoke into the stratosphere, raising questions about their potential to affect the stratospheric ozone layer that protects life on Earth from biologically damaging ultraviolet radiation. Multiple observations of aerosol and NO<sub>2</sub> concentrations from three independent satellite instruments are used here together with model calculations to identify decreases in stratospheric NO<sub>2</sub> concentrations following major Australian 2 ...[more]
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Project description:These analyses set out to evaluate transcriptomic responses in the mouse lung and heart in response to simulated wildland fire exposure conditions. These exposure conditions were based on smoke condensate consisting of particulate matter and semivolative organic compounds resulting from the burning of five biomass fuels; namely eucalyptus, pine, pine needles, peat, and red oak. These biomasses were evaluated under two burn conditions: flaming and smoldering.
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Project description:BackgroundWildfire activity is predicted to increase in many parts of the world due to changes in temperature and precipitation patterns from global climate change. Wildfire smoke contains numerous hazardous air pollutants and many studies have documented population health effects from this exposure.ObjectivesWe aimed to assess the evidence of health effects from exposure to wildfire smoke and to identify susceptible populations.MethodsWe reviewed the scientific literature for studies of wildfire smoke exposure on mortality and on respiratory, cardiovascular, mental, and perinatal health. Within those reviewed papers deemed to have minimal risk of bias, we assessed the coherence and consistency of findings.DiscussionConsistent evidence documents associations between wildfire smoke exposure and general respiratory health effects, specifically exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Growing evidence suggests associations with increased risk of respiratory infections and all-cause mortality. Evidence for cardiovascular effects is mixed, but a few recent studies have reported associations for specific cardiovascular end points. Insufficient research exists to identify specific population subgroups that are more susceptible to wildfire smoke exposure.ConclusionsConsistent evidence from a large number of studies indicates that wildfire smoke exposure is associated with respiratory morbidity with growing evidence supporting an association with all-cause mortality. More research is needed to clarify which causes of mortality may be associated with wildfire smoke, whether cardiovascular outcomes are associated with wildfire smoke, and if certain populations are more susceptible.CitationReid CE, Brauer M, Johnston FH, Jerrett M, Balmes JR, Elliott CT. 2016. Critical review of health impacts of wildfire smoke exposure. Environ Health Perspect 124:1334-1343; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1409277.
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Project description:Wildfire smoke events are increasing in British Columbia (BC), Canada and environmental and public health agencies are responsible for communicating the health-related risks and mitigation strategies. To evaluate and identify opportunities for improving public communications about wildfire smoke and associated health risks we collaborated with end-users and developed a 32-question online survey. The survey was deployed province-wide from 29 September to 31 December 2020 following a severe wildfire smoke episode, which impacted large parts of BC. Using a convenience sample, we disseminated the survey through email lists, radio advertisements, a provincial research platform, and snowball methods. There were 757 respondents, who were generally representative of provincial demographics. Respondents indicated that they receive wildfire smoke messages from diverse sources, including: websites, social media, radio, and television. Radio was identified as the most important source of information for populations that may have increased exposure or health risks, including Indigenous respondents and those working in the trades. Respondents with lower educational attainment expressed that messaging should be simplified. Environmental and public health agencies should continue to share wildfire smoke messages using diverse methods, ideally tailoring the messages and methods to specific populations at risk for exposure and health effects.
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