Latest news with #NicholasMuller
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Study uncovers concerning source of $200 billion in health damages: 'Associated with increased morbidity and mortality risk'
Smoke from wildfires and prescribed burns in the United States caused $200 billion in health damages and was linked to 20,000 premature deaths in 2017 alone, according to Carnegie Mellon University. A new study published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment reveals the staggering human toll of fire smoke. While most U.S. air pollution sources have decreased since the late 20th century, wildfire pollution has increased. The damages were almost evenly split between wildfires (predominantly in the West) and prescribed burns (mainly in the Southeast). Senior citizens were hit hardest, representing just 16% of the population but suffering 75% of the damage. "Many studies have found that fire smoke, like other air pollutants, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality risk. But until recently, the associated social costs were less well understood," explained Nicholas Muller, Carnegie Mellon's Lester and Judith Lave Professor of Economics, Engineering, and Public Policy. Fire smoke creates dangerous fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that penetrates deep into your lungs and bloodstream. Any long-term exposure to PM2.5 increases your risk of premature death. The health impacts aren't distributed equally. While seniors face the greatest risks overall, Native American and Black communities experience the highest damages per capita within most age groups. This pattern highlights how environmental hazards often affect already vulnerable populations most severely. When you breathe in smoke-polluted air, you're exposing yourself to a cocktail of harmful compounds, including ammonia, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, all of which contribute to dangerous PM2.5 concentrations. Researchers suggest several practical approaches to protect people from smoke exposure. Communities can expand real-time air quality monitoring and enhance public outreach through trusted local leaders to keep you informed during smoke events. You can improve your home's air quality by investing in filtration technologies. Public spaces such as senior centers in low-income neighborhoods could be equipped as clean air shelters during heavy smoke days. Simple personal protection measures help, too. Using N95 masks during smoke events can protect you if you can't access safe indoor spaces. This is especially important if you work outdoors. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Policymakers are beginning to recognize smoke as a major public health issue rather than a seasonal nuisance. By combining community-based solutions with individual protection measures, you can help reduce the devastating health impacts of fire smoke while broader climate actions address the root causes of increasingly frequent and intense wildfires. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Wildfire smoke and prescribed burns caused 20,000 early deaths and billions in damages in just one year
Over the course of just a year smoke from wildfires and prescribed burns across the U.S. caused billions of dollars in damages and tens of thousands of early deaths. In 2017, when there were dozens of blazes burning across the West, researchers reported this week that the fires resulted in an estimated $200 billion in health damages associated with 20,000 premature deaths. Several groups were found to be the most harmed, including senior citizens and Black and Native American communities. 'Many studies have found that fire smoke, like other air pollutants, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality risk,' Nicholas Muller, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, said in a statement. 'But until recently, the associated social costs were less well understood.' Mueller is the co-author of the research, which was published Tuesday in the journal Communications Earth & Environment. To reach their conclusions, the authors used a quantitative model to investigate the damages caused by ambient particulate matter produced by the smoke across the contiguous U.S. Wildfires produce a mix of pollutants and particle pollution, which is also referred to as particulate matter. PM 2.5 is the air pollutant of greatest concern to public health from wildfire smoke. It can travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. The health effects of this pollution can range from eye and throat irritation to heart failure and premature death. It may impact the body's ability to remove viruses or bacteria from the lungs. Even short-term exposures are linked to increased risk of exacerbation of pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease. While wildfire smoke can make anyone sick, some people are at increased risk. Those people include women who are pregnant, children, first responders, older adults, outdoor workers, people of low socio-economic status, and people with asthma, respiratory diseases, or cardiovascular disease. Any long-term exposure is statistically associated with an increased risk of mortality, the researchers noted. While nearly half of the damage came from western wildfires that year, the remainder came from southeastern burns. Roughly half of the premature deaths were due to wildfire smoke and burns, respectively. With fires increasing in intensity and severity due to climate change, the study authors said that expanding air quality monitoring, investing in filtration technologies, and passing out N95 masks and other protections could help protect vulnerable populations. Prescribed burns will notably be a critical tool to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, although climate change is also resulting in fewer days when they can safely be utilized. 'Our work reveals the extraordinary and disproportionate effects of the growing threat of fire smoke,' said Luke Dennin, a Ph.D. student in engineering and public policy at Carnegie Mellon, who led the study. The scientists have also provided 'suggestions for local, state and national decision-makers and planners addressing the growing environmental hazard of fire smoke, particularly its impact on vulnerable communities,' he added.
The Independent
08-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Wildfire smoke and prescribed burns caused 20,000 early deaths and billions in damages in just one year
Over the course of just a year smoke from wildfires and prescribed burns across the U.S. caused billions of dollars in damages and tens of thousands of early deaths. In 2017, when there were dozens of blazes burning across the West, researchers reported this week that the fires resulted in an estimated $200 billion in health damages associated with 20,000 premature deaths. Several groups were found to be the most harmed, including senior citizens and Black and Native American communities. 'Many studies have found that fire smoke, like other air pollutants, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality risk,' Nicholas Muller, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, said in a statement. 'But until recently, the associated social costs were less well understood.' Mueller is the co-author of the research, which was published Tuesday in the journal Communications Earth & Environment. To reach their conclusions, the authors used a quantitative model to investigate the damages caused by ambient particulate matter produced by the smoke across the contiguous U.S. Wildfires produce a mix of pollutants and particle pollution, which is also referred to as particulate matter. PM 2.5 is the air pollutant of greatest concern to public health from wildfire smoke. It can travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. The health effects of this pollution can range from eye and throat irritation to heart failure and premature death. It may impact the body's ability to remove viruses or bacteria from the lungs. Even short-term exposures are linked to increased risk of exacerbation of pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease. While wildfire smoke can make anyone sick, some people are at increased risk. Those people include women who are pregnant, children, first responders, older adults, outdoor workers, people of low socio-economic status, and people with asthma, respiratory diseases, or cardiovascular disease. Any long-term exposure is statistically associated with an increased risk of mortality, the researchers noted. While nearly half of the damage came from western wildfires that year, the remainder came from southeastern burns. Roughly half of the premature deaths were due to wildfire smoke and burns, respectively. With fires increasing in intensity and severity due to climate change, the study authors said that expanding air quality monitoring, investing in filtration technologies, and passing out N95 masks and other protections could help protect vulnerable populations. Prescribed burns will notably be a critical tool to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, although climate change is also resulting in fewer days when they can safely be utilized. 'Our work reveals the extraordinary and disproportionate effects of the growing threat of fire smoke,' said Luke Dennin, a Ph.D. student in engineering and public policy at Carnegie Mellon, who led the study. The scientists have also provided 'suggestions for local, state and national decision-makers and planners addressing the growing environmental hazard of fire smoke, particularly its impact on vulnerable communities,' he added.
