inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf

inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf
mosquito-borne diseases affect up to 700 million people each year. learn more
powered by: valneva canada inc.
home / 世界杯决赛2022

wildfire smoke may have immediate affect on respiratory, cardiovascular systems: ubc study

the study found exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter during wildfire seasons in b.c. was associated with an increased number of ambulance trips for respiratory and cardiovascular problems only one hour after exposure.

by tiffany crawford

jun 24 2020
read time 2 minute read
join the conversation
wildfire smoke has long been known to be bad for health, but now researchers at ubc say it can have an almost immediate harmful affect on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
a study from ubc’s school of population and public health, published wednesday in environmental health perspectives, found that exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter during wildfire seasons in b.c. was associated with an increased number of ambulance trips for respiratory and cardiovascular problems only one hour after exposure.
among people with diabetes, the researchers found that the odds of health complications increased within 48 hours following exposure to wildfire smoke, according to a news release from ubc.
jiayun angela yao, the study’s lead author, said, in a statement, that “it’s alarming” to see how quickly fine particular matter seems to affect the respiratory and cardiovascular system.
the researchers analyzed data from 670,000 ambulance dispatches, as well as paramedic assessments and hospital admissions related to respiratory, circulatory and diabetic conditions during periods of increased particulate matter during b.c. wildfire seasons from 2010 to 2015.
powered by
canadian centre for caregiving excellence

advertisement

they concluded that increased particulate matter during wildfire seasons “was associated with some respiratory and cardiovascular outcomes within one hour following exposure, and its association with diabetic outcomes increased over time.”
they say the research needs further study, but it shows the need for rapid public health actions to limit exposure to wildfire smoke.
ubc says the findings are timely given the covid-19 pandemic because air pollution from wildfire smoke can make viral infections affecting the respiratory and cardiovascular systems even more severe.
“it is vital that everyone start preparing for wildfire smoke events to ensure that they are ready, especially since covid-19 still a serious public health threat in b.c.,” said yao.
“anyone with pre-existing heart and lung disease and diabetes is especially vulnerable and should consider purchasing air cleaners, and ensuring that they have adequate supplies of medication at home.”
the summers of 2017 and 2018 were the worst on record for smoky skies — a provincial state of emergency was declared both years over wildfires — and much of the haze in metro vancouver drifted in from big fires in other parts of b.c.
powered by
obesity matters

advertisement

the smoke led officials to issue a record number of air-quality advisories, and give extensive advice on how residents should try to remain healthy.
-with a file from lori culbert
don’t miss the latest on covid-19, reopening and life. subscribe to healthing’s daily newsletter coming out of covid.

comments

postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. we ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. we have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. visit our community guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

you may also like
041321-png0413nquarantine-04
b.c. could face travel restrictions as variant screening stepped up
041321-0813_covid_vulnerable
can your employer require you to be vaccinated?
041221-health-coronavirus/australia
ontario daily case count jumps back above 4,000
041321-png0413n_pharmacyvaccine
horgan says he'd have no hesitation taking astrazeneca shot
covid-icu-3
ontario hospitals 'surging like absolute crazy' in third wave
you may also like
041321-png0413nquarantine-04
b.c. could face travel restrictions as variant screening stepped up
041321-0813_covid_vulnerable
can your employer require you to be vaccinated?
041221-health-coronavirus/australia
ontario daily case count jumps back above 4,000
041321-png0413n_pharmacyvaccine
horgan says he'd have no hesitation taking astrazeneca shot
you may also like
041321-png0413nquarantine-04
b.c. could face travel restrictions as variant screening stepped up
041321-0813_covid_vulnerable
can your employer require you to be vaccinated?