A new study has found that climate change has significantly contributed to thousands of deaths and billions of dollars in economic costs from wildfire smoke in the United States over the past 15 years.
Published on May 2 in the journal Nature Communications Earth & Environment, the research estimates that from 2006 to 2020, climate change was responsible for around 15,000 deaths due to exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from wildfires, costing about $160 billion. Annual deaths ranged from 130 to 5,100, with the highest numbers in states like California and Oregon.
“Our findings highlight the significant impact of climate change on health through the increase in wildfire smoke,” the study’s authors stated.
PM2.5 particles are tiny pollutants that can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing short-term effects like coughing and itchy eyes, and long-term health issues such as chronic respiratory diseases and heart problems. Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and outdoor workers are among the most vulnerable groups.
Evidence suggests that PM2.5 from wildfire smoke may be more toxic than particles from other pollution sources. When wildfires reach urban areas, the burning of cars and materials containing toxic substances increases the danger.
Climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas, has been linked to an increase in wildfires across North America. Global warming leads to higher temperatures and prolonged droughts, especially in the western U.S., creating dry conditions that turn vegetation into fuel for fires. These factors combine to result in more frequent, extensive, and severe wildfires that release large amounts of smoke.
To arrive at their conclusions, the researchers analyzed climate conditions during wildfires between 2006 and 2020 and compared them to a scenario without the influence of climate change. They then estimated the levels of PM2.5 from wildfire smoke attributable to climate change and quantified the related deaths and economic impacts.
The study found that out of 164,000 deaths related to wildfire PM2.5 exposure during the period, 10 percent were attributable to climate change. In some western states and counties, mortality rates were 30 to 50 percent higher due to climate change.
“Without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the problem of deaths from wildfire smoke is likely to worsen,” the researchers warned.
The findings underscore the urgent need for global efforts to mitigate climate change and address its health impacts, particularly in vulnerable communities.
