Non-Accidental Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke

Hassani Youssouf, Catherine Liousse, Laurent Roblou, Eric-Michel Assamoi, Raimo O. Salonen, Cara Maesano, Soutrik Banerjee and Isabella Annesi-Maesano
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Hassani Youssouf: Department of Epidemiology of Respiratory and Allergic Disease (EPAR), UMR-S 1136, Institute Pierre Louis of Epidemiology and Public Health, National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM), 27 Rue Chaligny, 75012 Paris, France
Catherine Liousse: Laboratory of Aerology, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), University of Toulouse, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
Laurent Roblou: Laboratory of Aerology, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), University of Toulouse, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
Eric-Michel Assamoi: Laboratory of Aerology, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), University of Toulouse, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
Raimo O. Salonen: Environmental Epidemiology Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland
Cara Maesano: Department of Epidemiology of Respiratory and Allergic Disease (EPAR), UMR-S 1136, Institute Pierre Louis of Epidemiology and Public Health, National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM), 27 Rue Chaligny, 75012 Paris, France
Soutrik Banerjee: Department of Epidemiology of Respiratory and Allergic Disease (EPAR), UMR-S 1136, Institute Pierre Louis of Epidemiology and Public Health, National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM), 27 Rue Chaligny, 75012 Paris, France
Isabella Annesi-Maesano: Department of Epidemiology of Respiratory and Allergic Disease (EPAR), UMR-S 1136, Institute Pierre Louis of Epidemiology and Public Health, National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM), 27 Rue Chaligny, 75012 Paris, France

IJERPH, 2014, vol. 11, issue 11, 1-33

Abstract: Wildfires take a heavy toll on human health worldwide. Climate change may increase the risk of wildfire frequency. Therefore, in view of adapted preventive actions, there is an urgent need to further understand the health effects and public awareness of wildfires. We conducted a systematic review of non-accidental health impacts of wildfire and incorporated lessons learned from recent experiences. Based on the literature, various studies have established the relationship between one of the major components of wildfire, particulate matter (particles with diameter less than 10 µm (PM 10 ) and less than 2.5 µm (PM 2.5 )) and cardiorespiratory symptoms in terms of Emergency Rooms visits and hospital admissions. Associations between wildfire emissions and various subclinical effects have also been established. However, few relationships between wildfire emissions and mortality have been observed. Certain segments of the population may be particularly vulnerable to smoke-related health risks. Among them, people with pre-existing cardiopulmonary conditions, the elderly, smokers and, for professional reasons, firefighters. Potential action mechanisms have been highlighted. Overall, more research is needed to better understand health impact of wildfire exposure.

Keywords: wildfires emissions; wildfire exposure; health impact; cardiorespiratory disease; particulate matter (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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