Written By: Kylie Heilferty
Wildfires across the western United States have always been a public health hazard with their pollutants and toxins presenting health risks across many states on a seasonal basis. However, during a time like this, the effects of these fires also fuel the flames of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, leaving more people immunocompromised and more hospital systems overwhelmed than ever.
Photo by Josh Edelson/Getty
What are the typical health risks from these fires?
Forest fires in the western United States have become increasingly severe over the years, with climate change warming temperatures each year and extending the typical forest fire season. In addition to tracking these fires in regards to climate, the tracking of these fires has also provided public health researchers with information on the effects of smoke on human health.
Upon breaking down the composition of wildfire smoke, its chemical makeup seems pretty dangerous at first glance; the smoke includes dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and other trace gaseous elements (Wildfires and Public Health: A View from the Front Lines, 2016). The component that has actually proven the most dangerous isn’t a gas, but a solid: particulate matter. Particulate matter in wildfire smoke refers to the particles produced as materials burn and enter the air, and these solids are very easily trapped in one’s eyes, nose, or throat, or even inhaled deep into the lungs. When small enough (less than 10 micrometers), these particles can even enter the bloodstream (Air Monitoring & Quality Assurance Program, 2020).
After exposure to particulate matter, the health effects are immediate. Respiratory systems are weakened by particulate matter, with symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, sore throats, and shortness of breath all resulting from its inhalation (Wildfires and Public Health: A View from the Front Lines, 2016). Eye and skin irritation can also occur from particulate matter contact. Longer-lasting effects from particulate matter in smoke can include bronchitis, worsened asthma symptoms, heart failure, or even premature death (US EPA, 2020).
How does this impact COVID-19?
Forest fires are capable of bringing severe health effects to those exposed to smoke. Since COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets, the toll that smoke takes on one’s lungs in particular could make someone more prone to lung infections, including COVID-19. This idea is well-evidenced; smoke from burning wood, with its particulate matter, has been shown to inhibit the proper functioning of pulmonary macrophages in mammals (Migliaccio et al., 2013, p. 68). Macrophage cells are crucial for the human respiratory system’s immune response, their reduced function can cause pathogens to more easily accumulate in lungs. Beyond the increased risk of contracting COVID-19, significantly higher mortality rates from COVID-19 have also been linked to particulate matter exposure (Wu et. al., 2020).
In addition to individual health risks, these fires also threaten the public health system as a whole during this pandemic. For families who have had to evacuate, the mass shelters usually available for such disasters could now act as super-spreader locations. Although shelters can require face masks and employ social distancing measures between cots, the large numbers of people congregating in these spaces could be contributing to recent spikes in cases across the west coast (Sottile & Arkin, 2020). At a time when hospitals are already overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases, the additional risks posed by these fires could put further strain on healthcare workers. More risk for COVID-19 contraction also means that more people will be in need of a test, preventing testing sites from operating efficiently.
How to help
The worse-than-ever wildfires striking the western United States are a true wakeup call in regards to the effects of climate change. Unfortunately, during this global pandemic, these wildfires also demonstrate the ways in which the severe effects of climate change can intersect with epidemiology and public health systems. While the effects of these fires aren’t easily mitigated, there are still many opportunities to get involved and help support public health following these events. Whether it’s raising awareness regarding the issues, donating to the cause (the American Red Cross and the Northwest Response Fund are great options), or simply remaining up-to-date on how these events are unfolding, our collective efforts following these public health disasters can certainly make a change.
References
Air Monitoring & Quality Assurance Program. (2020). Wildfire Smoke - Particulate Matter Information. The Great State of Alaska: Division of Air Quality. https://dec.alaska.gov/air/air-monitoring/wildfire-smoke-info
Migliaccio, C. T., Kobos, E., King, Q. O., Porter, V., Jessop, F., & Ward, T. (2013). Adverse effects of wood smoke PM2.5exposure on macrophage functions. Inhalation Toxicology, 25(2), 67–76. https://doi.org/10.3109/08958378.2012.756086
Sottile, C., & Arkin, D. (2020, August 26). “Disaster inside a disaster”: California wildfires and COVID-19 form twin crises. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/disaster-inside-disaster-california-wildfires-covid-19-form-twin-crises-n1238031
US EPA. (2020, May 26). Wildland Fire Research: Health Effects Research. US Environmental Protection Agency Air Research. https://www.epa.gov/air-research/wildland-fire-research-health-effects-research
Wildfires and Public Health: A View from the Front Lines. (2016, August 8). US Climate and Health Alliance. https://usclimateandhealthalliance.org/wildfires-public-health-view-front-lines/
Wu, X., Nethery, R. C., Sabath, B. M., Braun, D., & Dominici, F. (2020). Exposure to air pollution and COVID-19 mortality in the United States: A nationwide cross-sectional study. medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences, 2020.04.05.20054502. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.05.20054502
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