Recent wildfires in Canada have significantly affected the air quality in parts of the United States, resulting in a notable rise in asthma-related emergency room (ER) visits. According to a new study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ER visits in the US associated with asthma saw a 17% spike on days when wildfire smoke was present.
Regional Breakdown of Asthma ER Visits
Between April and August, smoke from the Canadian wildfires impacted a vast portion of the US, particularly the Midwest and East Coast regions. Millions found themselves under air quality alerts, with New York City experiencing reduced visibility from the smoky haze and even earning the title of one of the most polluted major cities globally at one point.
Researchers from the CDC and other institutions analyzed data from the National Syndromic Surveillance Program. They compared asthma-related ER visits in the US on days with and without wildfire smoke from April 30 to August 4. The "wildfire smoke days" were determined by the Air Quality Index (AQI), a scale set by the US Environmental Protection Agency, with an AQI rating of 101 or higher indicating "unhealthy" air quality due to elevated concentrations of particulate matter.
Out of the entire study period, there were 19 days when wildfire smoke impacted US air quality. On these days, asthma-related ER visits surged by 17%.
A more detailed breakdown of the data revealed that areas including Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia recorded the highest number of wildfire smoke days, totaling five. Close behind were states like New Jersey and New York and parts of the Midwest like Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, each experiencing four days of wildfire smoke.
The most significant increase in asthma-associated ER visits was noted in New Jersey and New York. The study underlined the importance of monitoring the correlation between wildfire smoke and asthma-related medical visits, stating that such information could be crucial for "public health communicators, clinicians, policymakers, and the public."
Governmental Response to Ongoing Wildfires
In a related study, between June 1 and 14, New York alone recorded 1,310 asthma-associated ER visits. This separate research, also released by the CDC, highlighted that on June 7, asthma-related visits surged by 81.9% across the state compared to the beginning of the month.
The study also shed light on health inequities, emphasizing the increased vulnerability of children and non-Hispanic Black or African American individuals and the significance of creating strategies to promote health equity in extreme weather events.
The past few months have shown the drastic health effects of wildfires, with Canada and Hawaii being notable regions of concern. US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra even declared a public health emergency for Hawaii due to the health implications of wildfires in the state.
Dr. Aida Capo, a pulmonologist from New Jersey, commented on the impact of poor air quality, stating, "This air is particularly dangerous to the very young, the elderly, and pregnant ladies."
She further recommended that those with asthma, allergies, or heart problems use their rescue inhaler 15 minutes before venturing outdoors and remain under medical supervision to mitigate the risks associated with deteriorating air quality.
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