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LOS ANGELES – As wildfires continue to burn in California, even with improving containment efforts, researchers are warning of the serious and lasting health consequences of smoke inhalation. Northeastern University experts emphasize that the dangers extend beyond immediate respiratory problems, potentially leading to long-term cardiovascular and respiratory issues.
The recent fires in and around Los Angeles, which have burned for over a week, expose residents to a cocktail of harmful chemicals and particulate matter. This smoke can exacerbate existing conditions like asthma and COPD, and also contribute to the development of new health problems, according to bioengineering professors Chiara Bellini and Jessica Oakes.
“Based on the literature we have now, exposure and inhalation of fire smoke is positively associated with the number of hospital admissions or visits for different types of cardiovascular disease,” says Bellini. She notes that many of these hospital visits occur within days of a fire’s outbreak.
Oakes highlights the particularly dangerous composition of smoke from these fires, which includes not only burning vegetation but also housing materials. “The houses themselves have plastics, shingles and foams… the cars have tires, and burning those materials can be very toxic to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems,” she explains.
Their research on mice exposed to smoke is revealing the impact on the cardiovascular system, specifically focusing on how smoke accelerates aortic stiffening, a condition affecting the heart’s main artery. “The changes in the active and passive properties of the vasculature tell us that the continuous and repeated exposure to fire smoke carries cardiovascular risk,” Bellini states.
While the body has natural defenses against air pollutants, these can be overwhelmed by wildfire smoke. Researchers know that short-term damage occurs, evidenced by hospitalization data, and there is growing evidence suggesting long-term changes to the respiratory system, affecting ease of breathing.
The exact nature of these long-term effects is still being investigated. Comparisons between wildfire smoke and other pollutants, including cigarette smoke and diesel exhaust, indicate that wildfire smoke may be even more harmful. The smoke contains a variety of toxic and potentially carcinogenic chemicals, including formaldehyde, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, and carbon monoxide.
Bellini emphasizes that these harmful particles can persist in the air for months even after a fire is extinguished. With increasing wildfires in drier regions, the researchers stress the importance of understanding the risks to human health, in addition to property damage.
“The immediate challenge is always getting people evacuated and safe,” Oakes says. “But the long-term challenges—we don’t even have a great understanding of what those might be.”
To mitigate the harmful effects of fire smoke, Bellini recommends staying indoors with filtered HVAC systems and clean filters. When venturing outside, wearing a properly fitted N95 mask is crucial for filtering out particulate matter.
