<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/14/smoke-exposure-from-intense-fires-linked-to-long-term-respiratory-and-cardiovascular-disease>
"Just a few weeks of exposure to the smoke from an intense fire has years-long
respiratory and cardiovascular impacts, according to new research that sheds
light on the possible long-term effects of bushfires.
Researchers studying the aftermath of the 2014 Hazelwood coalmine fire have
linked exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in smoke to an increased
risk over the following five years of needing to visit an emergency department
for respiratory problems.
cities pollution image
PM2.5 are tiny particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or fewer, which are
breathed into the lungs and can enter the bloodstream.
An increase in PM2.5 of 10 micrograms a cubic metre was associated with a 10%
increase in respiratory presentations over half a decade, the study found.
Among people who had been exposed, the risk of emergency presentations for
cardiovascular diseases including ischaemic heart disease was elevated for two
and a half years after the fire.
The findings add to the emerging but limited evidence to date on the long-term
health impacts of PM2.5 exposure from fires. Wildfire smoke and mine fire smoke
“have a similar spectrum of toxic components”, the study’s authors wrote."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
