![]() ![]() The study, led by researcher Xiao Wu, has not yet been peer-reviewed. Research this year from Harvard University showed a significant link between increases in long-term exposure to air pollution particles and Covid death rates. Science has long shown that air pollution can cause numerous deadly health effects, including increasing the severity of respiratory infections, such as flu and pneumonia. Researchers also fear the smoke can act more deeply to hamper the body’s ability to fend off infection. “We are not in a situation where people can just leave to get away from the smoke as they might like,” said Peter Lahm, an air resource specialist with the USDA Forest Service, who specializes in monitoring wildfire smoke. Residents wanting to get away from the smoke may no longer have the option of sheltering at the library or mall or staying with friends because of shutdowns and pandemic risks. The pandemic has already stretched the resources available from local government agencies thin. Evacuees and firefighters forced to live in shared housing may face additional Covid-19 exposure. ![]() Photograph: Nasa/AFP/Getty Imagesįor health workers and first responders, dealing with both a pandemic and a fire season at the same time comes with significant logistical challenges. “For communities that are exposed to both fire smoke and Covid-19, it’s going to be a double threat,” Yao said.Ī satellite image shows smoke plumes from the California wildfires migrating across the American west. Meanwhile, social distancing requirements are exacerbating the risks of smoke pollution. The fires and the smoke are complicating the response to the coronavirus pandemic. Researchers from the University of Tasmania identified 417 extra deaths that occurred during 19 weeks of smoky air, and reported 3,100 more hospital admissions for respiratory and cardiac ailments and 1,300 extra emergency room visits for asthma. Studies after the bushfires that raged throughout Australia last year found even bleaker outcomes. The study found that within 24 hours greater numbers of people were calling for help with diabetic issues as well. This summer, Yao co-authored a study for the University of British Columbia showing that, within an hour of fire smoke descending upon the Vancouver area during recent wildfire seasons, the number of ambulance calls for asthma, chronic lung disease and cardiac events increased by 10%. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |