NFPA Journal - Winter 2021 - 20

Dispatches International
WORLDWIDE
Wildfire's Widening Toll
At least 33,000 people around the world die each year
from pollution caused by wildfires, a new study finds
By Angelo Verzoni
T
he toll wildfires take
is often measured in
direct deaths, property
damage, and acres
of land burned. New
research suggests
the overall impact of
wildfires stretches far beyond those
metrics.
A study published in The Lancet
Planetary Health in September
estimates that at least 33,000
people a year die from pollution
caused by wildfire smoke, with a
20 | NFPA JOURNAL * WINTER 2021
disproportionate number of those
deaths occurring in Central and
South America. The groups most
at risk, according to the research,
include children up to 9 years old
and people over 80 years old.
" We found that exposure to wildfire-related
[fine particulate matter]
was significantly associated with
increased all-cause, cardiovascular,
and respiratory mortality at a
global level, but the associations
varied across countries and regions, "
the authors write in the study.
" Policymakers and public health professionals
should raise awareness of
wildfire pollution to prompt public
responses and take actions to avoid
exposure. "
Globally, 33,000 deaths a year
translates to about 0.6 percent of
all deaths, according to the study.
But in some countries, the percentage
of overall deaths related to
wildfire pollution is much higher. In
Guatemala, where the percentage
is highest, it's just over 3 percent.
The second-highest percentage is
in Thailand, at 2.3 percent, while the
next three highest are all in Central
and South America-Paraguay (2.1
percent), Mexico (1.7 percent), and
Peru (1.6 percent)
The study builds on past research
into the effects of wildfire smoke on
human health. A study published
in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine
ANDREY SMIRNOV/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

NFPA Journal - Winter 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - Winter 2021

Contents
NFPA Journal - Winter 2021 - Cover1
NFPA Journal - Winter 2021 - Cover2
NFPA Journal - Winter 2021 - 1
NFPA Journal - Winter 2021 - 2
NFPA Journal - Winter 2021 - 3
NFPA Journal - Winter 2021 - 4
NFPA Journal - Winter 2021 - 5
NFPA Journal - Winter 2021 - Contents
NFPA Journal - Winter 2021 - 7
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