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Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
As wildfires rage across North America, new study says smoke is 14 times more lethal than earlier estimates
A recent study reveals the deadly impact of wildfire smoke, linking short-term exposure to significantly more deaths than previously estimated. Researchers found that wildfire-generated fine particulate matter is far more harmful than traffic-related pollutants, increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. As climate change intensifies wildfires, understanding and tracking this threat becomes crucial for global health. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why wildfire smoke is so lethal Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads For every 1 µg/m³ rise in PM2.5, all-cause mortality increased by 0.7 per cent, respiratory mortality by 1 per cent, and cardiovascular mortality by 0.9 per cent. Researchers found wildfire-generated PM2.5 is more harmful than traffic-related pollutants, intensifying risks of respiratory and heart diseases. How the study was conducted They combined daily mortality records with fire-related and non-fire-related PM2.5 levels. By broadening the timeline to include deaths occurring within seven days of exposure, the study captured wildfire smoke's delayed but deadly effects. Previous estimates were dangerously low A climate-linked threat to global health Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads As North America battles one of its most destructive wildfire seasons, with more than 40,000 blazes scorching nearly 3 million acres in the US and over 5.5 million acres in Canada as of July 2025, a new study warns that the health toll of wildfire smoke is far deadlier than previously now say short-term exposure to smoke-related fine particles is linked to 14 times more deaths than past estimates to the study, the health risks of wildfire smoke were underestimated by nearly 93 percent. Published in The Lancet Planetary Health by researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), the findings suggest exposure to wildfire smoke is responsible for an average of 535 deaths California alone, 5,362 wildfires have resulted in 31 fatalities this year as per the CalFire study examined wildfire pollutants, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), microscopic particles small enough to penetrate the lungs and bloodstream deeply.'These estimates were made using specific data on how wildfire smoke affects health, allowing for a more precise calculation compared to general air pollution data,' the authors team relied on data from the EARLY-ADAPT project, covering 654 regions across 32 European countries and a population of 541 million people between 2004 and study found that short-term exposure to wildfire smoke particles (PM2.5) caused an average of 535 deaths each year, including 31 from respiratory diseases and 184 from cardiovascular methods that treated wildfire smoke the same as other fine particles had suggested only 38 deaths per year, a massive applying risk data specific to wildfire smoke, researchers discovered that the actual toll is nearly 14 times higher, meaning previous estimates underestimated the danger by 93 the climate crisis fuels longer fire seasons and more intense blazes, exposure to wildfire smoke is expected to rise dramatically.'The rising frequency and intensity of wildfires makes improving estimates of PM2.5-related wildfire mortality imperative to better track this climate change-related threat,' said Anna Alari, ISGlobal researcher and study co-author.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
As wildfires rage across North America, new study says smoke is 14 times more lethal than earlier estimates
A recent study reveals the deadly impact of wildfire smoke, linking short-term exposure to significantly more deaths than previously estimated. Researchers found that wildfire-generated fine particulate matter is far more harmful than traffic-related pollutants, increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. As climate change intensifies wildfires, understanding and tracking this threat becomes crucial for global health. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why wildfire smoke is so lethal Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads For every 1 µg/m³ rise in PM2.5, all-cause mortality increased by 0.7 per cent, respiratory mortality by 1 per cent, and cardiovascular mortality by 0.9 per cent. Researchers found wildfire-generated PM2.5 is more harmful than traffic-related pollutants, intensifying risks of respiratory and heart diseases. How the study was conducted They combined daily mortality records with fire-related and non-fire-related PM2.5 levels. By broadening the timeline to include deaths occurring within seven days of exposure, the study captured wildfire smoke's delayed but deadly effects. Previous estimates were dangerously low A climate-linked threat to global health Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads As North America battles one of its most destructive wildfire seasons, with more than 40,000 blazes scorching nearly 3 million acres in the US and over 5.5 million acres in Canada as of July 2025, a new study warns that the health toll of wildfire smoke is far deadlier than previously now say short-term exposure to smoke-related fine particles is linked to 14 times more deaths than past estimates to the study, the health risks of wildfire smoke were underestimated by nearly 93 percent. Published in The Lancet Planetary Health by researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), the findings suggest exposure to wildfire smoke is responsible for an average of 535 deaths California alone, 5,362 wildfires have resulted in 31 fatalities this year as per the CalFire study examined wildfire pollutants, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), microscopic particles small enough to penetrate the lungs and bloodstream deeply.'These estimates were made using specific data on how wildfire smoke affects health, allowing for a more precise calculation compared to general air pollution data,' the authors team relied on data from the EARLY-ADAPT project, covering 654 regions across 32 European countries and a population of 541 million people between 2004 and study found that short-term exposure to wildfire smoke particles (PM2.5) caused an average of 535 deaths each year, including 31 from respiratory diseases and 184 from cardiovascular methods that treated wildfire smoke the same as other fine particles had suggested only 38 deaths per year, a massive applying risk data specific to wildfire smoke, researchers discovered that the actual toll is nearly 14 times higher, meaning previous estimates underestimated the danger by 93 the climate crisis fuels longer fire seasons and more intense blazes, exposure to wildfire smoke is expected to rise dramatically.'The rising frequency and intensity of wildfires makes improving estimates of PM2.5-related wildfire mortality imperative to better track this climate change-related threat,' said Anna Alari, ISGlobal researcher and study co-author.
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists are studying ways to make your blood deadly to mosquitos
A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug used to treat tropical diseases such as river blindness, can also fight the spread of malaria. It does so in a way that seems oddly (and satisfyingly) like revenge against the mosquitos that carry the disease. It makes the user's blood a deadly poison to the insects that want to consume it. The new study, Ivermectin to Control Malaria — A Cluster-Randomized Trial, published this month, found that malaria cases dropped by 26 per cent in those who took the medication monthly. Researchers also noted a drop in cases of lice, scabies and bedbugs among participants in the trial. The study, led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, took place in Kwale, a county in coastal Kenya that has a high rate of malaria in spite of such techniques as the use of insecticide-treated nets. Clusters of household areas were assigned to receive mass administration of ivermectin for three months beginning at the start of the rainy season. Children aged 5 to 15 were then tested for malaria infection monthly for 6 months after the first round of treatment. 'Among children 5 to 15 years of age who were living in an area with high coverage and use of bed nets, ivermectin, administered once a month for three consecutive months, resulted in a 26 per cent lower incidence of malaria infection than albendazole (the control drug),' the researchers wrote. They added: 'No safety concerns were identified.' The researchers note that there were 249 million cases of malaria and 608,000 malaria-related deaths in 2022 alone. 'Interventions targeting the vector, such as long-lasting insecticide-treated nets or indoor residual spraying, remain the cornerstone of malaria control and are responsible for the estimated 81 per cent reduction in disease burden seen in Africa between 2000 and 2015,' they note. ('Vector' refers to an insect such as a mosquito that transmits a disease such as malaria.) 'However, progress has stalled in recent years (due to) emerging resistance to insecticides and behavioural adaptations, such as outdoor and crepuscular biting.' Ivermectin isn't the only drug being tested as a way to kill mosquitoes with the very thing they feed on. Another recent study investigated the effects of nitisinone, a drug used to treat rare metabolic disorders. 'The authors show that nitisinone targeted a crucial enzyme that mosquitoes need to digest their blood meal,' those researchers write. 'When female Anopheles mosquitoes in the laboratory consumed blood containing nitisinone, the drug was lethal to young, old, and insecticide-resistant populations and outperformed the mosquitocidal drug ivermectin. Even at low therapeutic doses, nitisinone remained deadly to mosquitoes. These findings warrant further investigation of nitisinone for vector control and the prevention of malaria transmission.' Mosquito season is worse this year, but TikTok user says she has a solution How to protect yourself from mosquitoes and West Nile virus Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here.
National Post
29-07-2025
- Health
- National Post
Scientists are studying ways to make your blood deadly to mosquitos
A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug used to treat tropical diseases such as river blindness, can also fight the spread of malaria. It does so in a way that seems oddly (and satisfyingly) like revenge against the mosquitos that carry the disease. It makes the user's blood a deadly poison to the insects that want to consume it. Article content Article content The new study, Ivermectin to Control Malaria — A Cluster-Randomized Trial, published this month, found that malaria cases dropped by 26 per cent in those who took the medication monthly. Researchers also noted a drop in cases of lice, scabies and bedbugs among participants in the trial. Article content Article content Article content The study, led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, took place in Kwale, a county in coastal Kenya that has a high rate of malaria in spite of such techniques as the use of insecticide-treated nets. Clusters of household areas were assigned to receive mass administration of ivermectin for three months beginning at the start of the rainy season. Children aged 5 to 15 were then tested for malaria infection monthly for 6 months after the first round of treatment. Article content 'Among children 5 to 15 years of age who were living in an area with high coverage and use of bed nets, ivermectin, administered once a month for three consecutive months, resulted in a 26 per cent lower incidence of malaria infection than albendazole (the control drug),' the researchers wrote. They added: 'No safety concerns were identified.' Article content Article content The researchers note that there were 249 million cases of malaria and 608,000 malaria-related deaths in 2022 alone. 'Interventions targeting the vector, such as long-lasting insecticide-treated nets or indoor residual spraying, remain the cornerstone of malaria control and are responsible for the estimated 81 per cent reduction in disease burden seen in Africa between 2000 and 2015,' they note. ('Vector' refers to an insect such as a mosquito that transmits a disease such as malaria.) Article content Article content 'However, progress has stalled in recent years (due to) emerging resistance to insecticides and behavioural adaptations, such as outdoor and crepuscular biting.' Article content Ivermectin isn't the only drug being tested as a way to kill mosquitoes with the very thing they feed on. Another recent study investigated the effects of nitisinone, a drug used to treat rare metabolic disorders.
Edmonton Journal
29-07-2025
- Health
- Edmonton Journal
Scientists are studying ways to make your blood deadly to mosquitos
A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug used to treat tropical diseases such as river blindness, can also fight the spread of malaria. It does so in a way that seems oddly (and satisfyingly) like revenge against the mosquitos that carry the disease. It makes the user's blood a deadly poison to the insects that want to consume it. Article content Article content The new study, Ivermectin to Control Malaria — A Cluster-Randomized Trial, published this month, found that malaria cases dropped by 26 per cent in those who took the medication monthly. Researchers also noted a drop in cases of lice, scabies and bedbugs among participants in the trial. Article content Article content Article content The study, led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, took place in Kwale, a county in coastal Kenya that has a high rate of malaria in spite of such techniques as the use of insecticide-treated nets. Clusters of household areas were assigned to receive mass administration of ivermectin for three months beginning at the start of the rainy season. Children aged 5 to 15 were then tested for malaria infection monthly for 6 months after the first round of treatment. Article content 'Among children 5 to 15 years of age who were living in an area with high coverage and use of bed nets, ivermectin, administered once a month for three consecutive months, resulted in a 26 per cent lower incidence of malaria infection than albendazole (the control drug),' the researchers wrote. They added: 'No safety concerns were identified.' Article content Article content The researchers note that there were 249 million cases of malaria and 608,000 malaria-related deaths in 2022 alone. 'Interventions targeting the vector, such as long-lasting insecticide-treated nets or indoor residual spraying, remain the cornerstone of malaria control and are responsible for the estimated 81 per cent reduction in disease burden seen in Africa between 2000 and 2015,' they note. ('Vector' refers to an insect such as a mosquito that transmits a disease such as malaria.) Article content Article content 'However, progress has stalled in recent years (due to) emerging resistance to insecticides and behavioural adaptations, such as outdoor and crepuscular biting.' Article content Ivermectin isn't the only drug being tested as a way to kill mosquitoes with the very thing they feed on. Another recent study investigated the effects of nitisinone, a drug used to treat rare metabolic disorders.
