Wildfire Smoke Exposure Linked to Greater Risk of Heart Failure: Study

Findings indicate that long-term exposure to wildfire smoke could lead to more than 20,000 additional cases of heart failure among non-smoking U.S. adults each year.

New research suggests that exposure to air pollution from wildfire smoke across several years increases a person’s risk of suffering from heart failure, especially among women.

According to a report published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) on July 8, researchers found that heart failure rates rose alongside increasing levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) over a two-year period.

PM 2.5 is a combination of tiny particles of dirt, soot and water less than 70 micrometers in size, or smaller than the width of a single human hair. It has long been implicated in a number of health side effects, and is often considered one of the most important environmental risk factors globally.

Wildfires are becoming more frequent as climate change accelerates, with events like the Los Angeles fires earlier this year highlighting the growing threat. These disasters damage ecosystems, destroy communities, and pose serious health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

In the new study, a team of researchers from Emory University in Georgia set out to examine how long-term exposure from wildfire smoke, specifically PM 2.5, affects the risk of heart failure.

The researchers, led by Dr. Yang Liu, examined data from 22 million Medicare beneficiaries between 2007 and 2018. They linked high resolution exposure estimates of fire smoke and bonfire smoke, then compared that by zip code for each beneficiary.

Overall, the average PM 2.5 smoke exposure across a two year period was 0.51 μg/m³.

The team found each 1 μg/m³ increase in wildfire smoke exposure across the past two years increased the risk of heart failure by 1.4%. The risk of heart failure among the study group was significantly higher when compared to the risk of heart failure among other non-smoking adults.

Researchers said this corresponds to an estimated 20,238 additional heart failure cases each year among older adults in the U.S.

More so, the number of days participants were exposed to PM 2.5 smoke exceeding 1 μg/m³ and 2.5 μg/m³ over the past two years was linked with an increased risk of heart failure. Researchers said this indicates wildfire smoke has a higher toxicity compared to other types of air pollution.

“These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and policies to reduce wildfire smoke exposure and its cardiovascular impacts.”

-Dr. Yang Liu, Long-Term Wildfire Smoke Exposure and Increased Risk of Heart Failure in Older Adults

Researchers also noted that the link between wildfire smoke exposure and heart failure was much stronger in women than men. Additionally, individuals living in low income areas and older adults faced a higher risk.

Wildfire Air Pollution Risks

Prior research has linked air pollution from wildfires to a number of adverse health effects. Another study from earlier this year indicated exposure to wildfire smoke increases a person’s risk of being hospitalized for respiratory issues, including asthma, bronchitis and wheezing.

Research has also shown that firefighters who fight woodland fires are consistently exposed to dozens of cancer-causing chemicals, putting them at a higher risk of developing cancer and other fatal health conditions.

In addition, cancer patients who are exposed to wildfire smoke face a 43% higher risk of dying within the first three months following surgery.

Sign up to receive more health and legal news that may impact you or your family.